June 15, 2007
Media Release

Journalists’ union condemns treatment of Michael Field

The Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union is strongly condemning the Fijian Government’s arrest and deportation of New Zealand journalist Michael Field as an attack on journalism and democracy.

The union, which represents New Zealand’s journalists, has also drawn the matter to the attention of the International Federation of Journalists, which represents half a million journalists worldwide.

EPMU Print & Media Industry Council convenor Brent Edwards says the Fijian Government’s actions are a sinister move.

“New Zealand journalists strongly condemn the Fijian Government’s decision to arrest and deport our colleague Michael Field. This was an action clearly calculated to intimidate and silence voices critical of the regime.

“If the Fijian Government is truly committed to getting back on the path to democracy then it must learn to respect the freedom of the press, and that means understanding that targeting and blacklisting journalists is never acceptable.

“It’s also important to recognise that while this case has come to our attention because it involves a New Zealand journalist, our colleagues in Fiji are trying to do their jobs under this kind of intimidation every day.”

The EPMU’s Print & Media Industry Council represents more than 5000 print and media workers nationwide.

ENDS

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