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