With only a day left for the media decree consultations, Attorney General confirmed that the Fiji Times will be allowed to participate in the consultations.
This is after a press conference was called late yesterday afternoon by Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum condemning statements the government labeled as negative by the Fiji Times Managing Director Anne Fussel on the time allocated for media consultations.
Sayed Khaiyum said they will be focusing on positive consultations.
Regarding the time allocated for consultations, Sayed Khaiyum said they have given ample time.
A newspaper advertisement on the draft media decree said copies of the draft would be given to stakeholders at 8am on the day of consultation; the consultations begin two and a half hours later.
In the article Fiji Times Managing Director Anne Fussel said and I quote, "nothing would seem to be lost, and indeed much would be gained, by allowing a reasonable amount of time for careful scrutiny and thus informed feedback" unquote.
Fussel said presumably several months were spent working on this draft decree, and taking into account the breadth and complexity of the subject and its importance to the lives of everyone in Fiji, it would seem appropriate to allow a reasonable time for consideration and comment on something that will last many years.
The media decree consultations will be held at the Holiday Inn at 8am tomorrow (Wednesday).
Feature
Fiji Times allowed to take part in Media Decree consultations-AG
