Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Attacked Commentators Slam 'Outlandish' Fiji Blog Smear
Attacked Commentators Slam 'Outlandish' Fiji Blog Smear
By Alex Perrottet of Pacific Media Watch
AUCKLAND (Pacific Media Watch): Leading Pacific journalists and academics have condemned a popular anonymous Fiji blog for an "outlandish” smear campaign against them.
Coup Four and a Half, or coupfourpointfive, an anti-regime blog, earlier this month published a list of “rats who're [sic] making excuses for Bainimarama and his illegal regime”.
The blog accused them of being "friends" and supporters of the military-backed regime - an allegation rejected by several key people named in the target list of 14.
The regime "roll call" also included people from Australia, New Zealand and an MP from Tonga as well as prominent people in Fiji. Three senior academics and administrators from the regional University of the South Pacific and one from the Fiji National University were also named.
Photographs of the named people were also featured on the blog, which today claimed 893,413 page views since September 2009.
Some media law academics have criticised the attack on May 2, saying defamatory blogs had "created challenges".
Pacific
Media Watch Online
www.pacmediawatch.aut.ac.nz
Pacific Media Watch is a media and educational resource compiled by the AUT Pacific Media Centre for the Pacific region.
ENDS
COP29: Statement From COP29 Presidency
UN News: ICC Issues Arrest Warrants For Netanyahu, Gallant And Hamas Commander
RNZ: Samoan Local Upset With Lack Of Manawanui Updates
Pacific Whale Fund: Groundbreaking Whale Rights Law Inspired By Māori King's Legacy To Be Unveiled In London
UN News: United States Vetoes Gaza Ceasefire Resolution At Security Council
Climate Action Network: COP29 ANALYSIS - G20 Declaration And Climate Finance