The Ministry of Information has clarified that Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka did not deliver any opening speech at the Great Council of Chiefs meeting today.
The Ministry says the Prime Minister attended the commencement of the meeting, as invited by the GCC.
They say the session proceeded as normal under the chairmanship of the GCC, and the Prime Minister departed shortly afterwards to return to Parliament.
The Ministry says the media blackout currently in place was not imposed by the Government, and the GCC itself has set the media blackout for the two day meeting proper, consistent with its internal protocols and cultural decision making processes.
The government says it respects this autonomy.
The Ministry says the media were not excluded from any Government proceedings.
They add since no government speech or announcement was delivered, there was no government led restriction on coverage.
The government says it remains committed to open communication, transparency, and a strong working relationship with the media while also respecting the protocols of traditional institutions such as the GCC.
The media were not allowed to cover the opening of the Great Council of Chiefs meeting at the GCC Complex today.
fijivillage News and other media were told that there is a media blackout until tomorrow afternoon.
When we requested to cover the opening speech, we were told that we are not allowed to do that.
We were then told to go to another building and wait.
fijivillage News then approached Prime Minister Rabuka.
Rabuka has reassured the nation that the outcome of the GCC meeting will be positive, adding that there is nothing for non-iTaukei communities to fear.
He also stated that he will attend the meeting tomorrow, where members will discuss the recent invitation to the GCC by King Charles III.
Rabuka also stated that his presence at the opening was to introduce the agenda and to open discussions on the various visits made in response to the invitation extended to the GCC.
We have also asked the GCC Chairman, Ratu Viliame Seruvakula on why the opening address was not open to the media.
