Many hit back after PM calls on people to take issues directly to Govt rather than the media

I encourage all concerned citizens to bring their issues directly to the relevant government officials rather than to the editors of daily newspapers.

After all, if you needed a haircut, would you go to a tailor.

This has been shared by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka on his official social media page.

During the People’s Alliance election campaign in November 2022, Rabuka said from the time the People’s Alliance was formed he made it his business to deal with the main media on behalf of the party. Rabuka said that is how it goes in a democracy, the people have the right to be informed and the media has to do that, and politicians need to understand that their actions and decisions must be clearly communicated to the public.

The Party Leader said in that way they fulfill their democratic responsibility.

Rabuka said he had hosted more than 20 media conferences in 12 months putting out statements on critical issues, responding to the news of the day, and taking questions on many topics.

Rabuka had said at the time he cannot recall the last time Voreqe Bainimarama hosted a media conference, and he supposes there was a high risk he might lose his notoriously short temper over the questions he does not like.

He said in November 2022 that when he becomes Prime Minister he will ensure that his ministers meet with the press when they have important decisions to announce, and he recalls how they used to have press conferences after every cabinet meeting during his time.

Many people have hit back on the Prime Minister's latest post, saying the media is a pillar of democracy, not a mere bystander.

They say the media exists to hold power to account and amplify the voices of citizens—especially when government officials fail to act.

Some say the coalition government repealed the restrictive media law after the last election, signaling a commitment to press freedom but now, discouraging people from speaking to the media contradicts that.

Some say transparency and accountability should be welcomed, not avoided.

Others have also said that they have taken issues up to the government outlets but nothing has been done.

fijivillage News has sent questions to Rabuka, and we are waiting for his response.