Media should be able to carry out their role fearlessly as a watchdog for the people- Gavoka

SODELPA Leader Viliame Gavoka says the media in this country should be able to carry out their role fearlessly as a watchdog for the people in holding our leaders accountable.

In their World Press Freedom Day message today, Gavoka has paid tribute to all the journalists of today and those from the past who made sacrifices in the course of discharging their duties.

He says the media has a role not only in informing the public of issues affecting them but should also be able to operate independently without intimidation.

Gavoka says they have a responsibility to keep those in power in check and hold them accountable to the people.

He adds Fiji is a nation founded on the values of democracy, freedom, respect for human dignity, rule of law, transparency and accountability.

The SODELPA Leader has referred to an incident more than two years ago when staff of a Fiji-based magazine had their phones and laptops confiscated following allegations that they had run a false story about a work dispute at Nadi Airport.

Gavoka says this was disturbing and unacceptable.

He has also urged the media to be more vigilant about fact-checking to guard against misinformation with regards to COVID-19.

Meanwhile, the National Federation Party says as Fiji stands against COVID-19, there has never been a more appropriate moment to express gratitude to our journalists who place themselves at risk in these times to bring us the real news and ask the right questions without fear or favour.

General Secretary Seni Nabou says Fiji owes those who promote independent and impartial news and they are doing a remarkable job given that according to her Fiji has only selective media freedom.

Nabou says the UN has designated the theme for this year's annual to be "Information as a Public Good".

She says to Fiji's shame, two recent international reports shine a searing spotlight on the country’s media freedoms and tell the world many compelling truths.

She says the 2020 World Press Freedom Index Report and ranking by Reporters without Borders released very recently rates our media freedoms as a problematic situation where Fiji's ranking has dropped from 52 to 55 out of a total of 180 countries.

Nabou adds the report highlights the Media Industry Development Act as the enabler of the suppression of real truths.