Media freedom is secure-PM

Interim Prime Minister and Minister for Information, Commodore Frank Bainimarama has reassured the nation today that media freedom is secure and guaranteed in Fiji.

However, he maintains that whilst the interim government's commitment to media freedom stands, the media must recognize that there are limitations to constitutional guarantees on media freedom and freedom of the press.

Commodore Bainimarama said media freedom must therefore be exercised carefully in ensuring that our citizens are informed in a balanced, accurate and truthful manner. He stresses that the media must strive to maintain this at all times.

The Interim PM said the performance of the media recently leaves much to be desired. He said some of the reporting has been inciteful and destabilizing and therefore a threat to national security and stability.

Commodore Bainimarama said the media, in his view, has behaved irresponsibly without due regard to freedom on the media.

He said the media must therefore do all it can to assist in the process of nation building to ensure that our citizens have access to quality news content, that they are informed accurately by a media that is intent to building bridges rather than sowing discontent in the name of media freedom.

Bainimarama also said that editors and publishers must also abide by the Code of Ethics that has been endorsed by the media organizations, the public and the government.