FIJI: MIDA rules against Fiji Sun over 'antagonistic' report

Tuesday, 3 March 2015, 3:51 pm
Press Release: Pacific Media Centre

FIJI: MIDA rules against Fiji Sun over 'antagonistic' report

http://www.pmc.aut.ac.nz/pacific-media-watch/fiji-mida-rules-against-fiji-sun-over-anatagonistic-report-9134

MIDA's Ashwin Raj tells the Fiji Sun to stick to "balance,
accuracy and the principles of responsible journalism".
Image: Republika

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Item: 9134

Tevita Vuibau
SUVA (The Fiji Times/Pacific Media Watch): The Fiji Media Development Authority (MIDA) has ruled that the Fiji Sun has breached the Media Decree following a complaint made by opposition SODELPA party youth president Peter Waqavonovno late last year.

Waqavonovono's complaint followed a report published in the Fiji Sun on December 28, 2014, stating that Waqavonovono should be "cleaned out" of SODELPA, adding that he needed deodorant and a shave as well.

Radio New Zealand International reported that MIDA chairman Ashwin Raj determined that the article by journalist Jyoti Pratibha was "antagonistic, thoroughly yoked in the logic of race and bereft of facts".

The article, headlined "Person of the Year: The PM who delivers", blamed the opposition parties for being racist and divisive but provided no evidence to support the claim.

The ruling also referred to the article that "defamed" Waqavonuvonu, which was ruled incriminating and in breach of the media decree.

Raj told the newspaper it must adhere to "balance, accuracy and the principles of responsible journalism".

The principal administrative officer of the Opposition, Mick Beddoes, said the finding was fair and reasonable, and that the Fiji Sun had been running a campaign against SODELPA, RNZI reported.

ENDS

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