If anyone is wondering why the Fijian media hasn’t reported the details of my reporting of the Prime Minister’s secret role in the sacking of the Solicitor General, his alleged action in shutting down a police drug investigation into a close family member or his Attorney General’s alleged behaviour in inviting his female staff to give him massages in his hotel rooms on overseas trips, it’s because they are terrified of the AG’s draconian 2010 Media Decree and the very real prospect of prosecution.
The following is what can happen to any Fijian media outlet that Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum decides has breached the terms of the decree, which became legislation on the return to parliamentary rule in 2014 and has had the effect of gagging the media and preventing it from reporting stories that are genuinely in the national interest.
As you can see, the national interest is not defined in the legislation, which means the AG effectively decides what is in the national interest. And if he thinks that it is not in the national interest for allegations against him and the PM to be aired in the local media, then he can use the law against any organisation that republishes my disclosures. Fortunately, I am beyond his reach but these stories go untold for anyone without the Internet.
[MED 22] CONTENT REGULATION:
The content of any media service must not include material which—
- (a)is against the public interest or order;
- (b)is against national interest; or
- (c)creates communal discord.
[MED 24] OFFENCES RELATING TO CONTENT REGULATION:
A breach of any of the provisions in or under sections 22… by a media organisation shall constitute an offence and the media organisation shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $100,000 or in the case of a publisher or editor to a fine not exceeding $25,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to both.
The details of what I reported are in the previous article – Secrets and Skeletons. The Inside Story. But how tragic it is that accessing the work of journalists outside Fiji is the only way the Fijian people can gain information on anything remotely approaching the truth about what is really happening in their country.
Keep it coming. Truth ALWAYS PREVAILS!
Aiyaz cheating on his wife?
Bainimarama protecting criminals in his family?
No way. I just don’t believe it.
All those (a) (b) (c) rules sound somewhat British to a real Fijian.
How funny Aiyaz is always playing by the British rules… (a) 1… (a) 4… How impressive is that…
What is the national interest of Fiji? Aiyaz and Voreqe having a heartstroke sooner than later.
A long time ago, in 2019, Fiji was facing top-level management issues (https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/391371/fiji-opposition-warns-of-economic-collapse). The economy was just about to collapse (ask Sitiveni Rabuka, he is an “educated” former military man in case you don’t know him). In those days, Bainimarama couldn’t explain GDP (he still can’t). Talk about a nation in ignorance.
Sometimes I wonder. When will Fiji’s economy collapse at last? Is the Fiji dollar heading South? I bet it is, but… but so is the american dollar… and the yuan/renminbi. So don’t worry, be happy. At least in Fiji we are fat. In the worst case scenario, healthy food is all over the place, even during cyclones (kumala is stronger than Winston).
Aiyaz must be very stressed. Bainimarama too. There are people in Fiji talking about this and that…
This and that? What do I mean? Up to you to figure it out.
Good piece but can I ask why have you gagged a few people including me from commenting on your FB page? Thanks
Nikhil, as I have explained on Facebook, I have blocked comments on contentious posts altogether because of repeated instances in which people have written things that are defamatory, racist or abusive. New laws in Australia, Fiji and other places make the host of a FB page legally liable for what others say. And having asked repeatedly for my FB contributors to show restraint, some people have continued to post comments that expose me to the possibility of legal action.
Similarly, in relation to this website, comments are now being moderated for the same reason. I very much regret having to do this because since Grubsheet’s inception, people have been able to post here without constraint. But a small minority have spoilt it for the rest and I actually came to suspect that certain individuals were deliberately posting comments that left me legally exposed.
Thanks Graham. That makes sense.
Exactly why I get more than enough news on FFP dirty laundry online elsewhere which the Fijian media wouldn’t report on for obvious reasons with that 2010 Decree.