Hannah Not The Last-Interim PM

Interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama has revealed that Fiji Times Publisher Evan Hannah will not be the last expatriate to be deported.

Radio NZ has reported on a PACNEWS agency report that in a heart to heart meeting with the heads of news and the Fiji Media Council yesterday, Commodore Bainimarama said he was not at liberty to explain why Hannah was deported, but said others are likely to follow.

Commodore Bainimarama said the same action will be taken against any other expatriate if they breach their work permit conditions.

Bainimarama also said there have been regular articles that were inciteful in the media and he called for balance and fair reporting.

According to PACNEWS, the Interim PM said the last thing they would want to do is close down certain media outlets and his government should not be likened to Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe.

Bainimarama has restated the interim government's unwavering commitment of its constitutional obligation of Freedom of the Press and other media as enshrined in the constitution.

But he said with any freedom also comes responsibility.

Commodore Bainimarama highlighted a few media reports which the interim government saw as inciteful or unbalanced and unfair. He also questioned some media managers about how they verify information as some stories were just fabricated. He also stressed that he is not trying to stop the media from reporting stories against the interim administration but to ensure that all stories are verified and reported factually.

The meeting ended with an agreement that monthly discussions should be held between the interim prime minister and media executives to ensure that any misunderstandings are addressed.

The media also called for better and timely responses from government on various issues which Commodore Bainimarama said his government would work on. He also revealed that former military spokesman Major Neumi Leweni would be called from China to work with the media.