Naivalurua calls on COMPOL to implement protective measures for journalists outside all courts

Minister for Policing and Communications, Ioane Naivalurua has called on the Commissioner of Police to immediately strengthen police presence and protective measures for journalists outside all court premises after the deeply concerning violent attack on Fijian journalist, Apenisa Waqairadovu outside the courthouse by a convicted murderer.

Naivalurua says this unacceptable incident follows several previous occasions in which media personnel have been chased, threatened, sworn at, or had their equipment struck or damaged by accused or convicted persons exiting court.

The Minister says they acknowledge the concerns raised by the Fijian Media Association and fully agree that the Police Force must elevate its standards of vigilance and operational discipline.

He stresses that these incidents must not happen again.

Naivalurua says the safety of our journalists is non-negotiable, and the Ministry will ensure that the Fiji Police Force takes all necessary actions to safeguard media personnel and restore public confidence in security at our courthouses

He calls on the Police Commissioner to implement clear and secure crowd-control and prisoner-movement protocols to prevent any physical interaction between offenders and media personnel, ensure all court escort officers are properly briefed on risk assessment and safeguarding obligations, and hold accountable any officer whose negligence contributes to incidents of this nature.

The Minister says journalists must be able to carry out their work freely, safely, and without fear of harassment, intimidation, or injury.

Naivalurua says a free press is a pillar of good governance, public accountability, and national transparency.

He says when journalists are attacked, it is an attack on Fiji’s democracy and on the public’s right to know.

He adds no journalist in Fiji should ever be assaulted, intimidated, or obstructed while lawfully carrying out their work.

Naivalurua says the Fiji Police Force has both a legal and moral obligation to ensure the safety of every citizen, including members of the media who play a critical role in informing the public and upholding our democracy.

He stresses that these repeated lapses in courthouse security, and the failure to anticipate and prevent such incidents, are unacceptable.

The latest concerning incident has occurred despite repeated questions being asked for the Fiji Police Force to have proper protocols when escorting accused persons.

In the past, accused persons have run after journalists and photographers, hit the mobile phone off journalist's hands, threatened and sworn at media workers - all in the presence of police officers who are not acting with urgency, and not surrounding the accused persons in a secure manner.

This time, Waqairadovu from FBC suffered injuries to his arms and hands after he was attacked by Sairusi Ceinaturaga, who has just been convicted of murdering the 1 year old child of his defacto partner.