Media Freedom Is Secure - PM Bainimarama

Media Freedom Is Secure - PM Bainimarama

Media freedom is secure and guaranteed, Prime Minister and Minister for Information, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama reassured the nation today.

Commenting on the recent state of media relations between the interim government and the media, Commodore Bainimarama reiterated the Interim Government's undertaking to uphold Media Freedom.

He maintained that whilst the government's commitment to media freedom stands, the media must recognise that there are limitations to constitutional guarantees on media freedom and freedom of the press.

The media are well aware of these limitations.

"This freedom must therefore be exercised carefully in ensuring that our citizens are informed in a balanced, accurate and truthful manner. The media must strive to maintain this at all times.

Commodore Bainimarama said the Interim Government will not deviate from achieving the mandate given to it by the President and will work hard to maintain law and order and national peace and stability.

"The performance of the media recently leaves much to be desired. Some of its reporting has been inciteful and destabilising and therefore a threat to national security and stability."

The media, in my view, has behaved irresponsibly without due regard to freedom of the media.

The media must therefore do all it can to assist in the process of nation building to ensure that our citizens have access to quality news content, that they are informed accurately by a media that is intent to building bridges rather than sowing discontent and discord in name of media freedom.

I wish to again categorically state that the Interim Government upholds media freedom and in return expects responsibility from the media in the exercise of this freedom.

I urge publishers and editors to commit themselves to a free, responsible and vibrant media where all our citizens are afforded the right to be fully informed in a fair, balanced and accurate manner.

They must also abide by the code of ethics that has been endorsed by the media organizations, the public and the government.

ENDS

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