How do you buy off a bunch of local journalists, including three of the biggest names in the Fijian media – Fred Wesley of the Fiji Times, Vijay Narayan of CFL-Fiji Village and Stanley Simpson of Mai TV? When you’re the Wonderful company and its billionaire owner, Stewart Resnick, you put them on your private jet and shower them with attention and presto, they’re yours.
The overseas “freebie” is one of the most potent tools at the disposal of the super-rich (and foreign governments) to buy media influence. And as the owner of Fiji Water, Stewart Resnick knows instinctively that the way to buy favourable media coverage in Fiji is to give local journos a good time.
The same big names keep going on these overseas junkets, whether it is to Australia, China or wherever. And on the latest, Fred Wesley – the Fiji Times Editor-in-Chief – Vijay Narayan – the News Director of Communications Fiji Limited – and Stanley Simpson – the director of Mai TV and head of the Fiji Media Association – have really hit the jackpot.
They’re in sun-kissed California, riding around on the Resnick private jet and hearing about all the wonderful things the Wonderful company does in the US and their plans for Fiji. As PR snow-jobs go, it’s already working a treat. Stanley Simpson – the titular head of the Fijian media – is like a little kid playing the billionaire celebrity himself.
Look at me, look at me, Fiji! (and some of the rest of the gang), Too good eh?
Here’s Vijay and me with the nice Mr Resnick. You can see we are just like that (fingers crossed)
But especially me. Because as head of the Media Association, I’m the main man, man. And Mr Resnick knows it.
Here we all are at the Wonderful company. No prizes for guessing that Fred Wesley (third from left) found that interesting! Kaila!
We heard all about the Wonderful Company and how Fiji Water is just one part of a huge profitable business. Guess what, those Resnick are reportedly worth $28-billion Fiji dollars! Levu, levu, eh?
More of Stanley’s freebie shots below but here’s the thing, Fiji.
None of these journalists and their media organisations have done a proper job reporting the Wonderful Company’s activities in Fiji and especially the seven year tax holiday Fiji Water has been granted by the Rabuka government.
- None of them have properly questioned why that extraordinary concession was given to Fiji’s biggest single exporter when the nation’s debt exceeds $10-billion and Fiji is dependent on budget support from Australian taxpayers.
- None of them have asked the Prime Minister to account for his meeting with Stewart and Faye Resnick at their home in California in the lead-up to the tax holiday being granted.
- None of them have questioned how the Chair of the Fiscal Review Committee that recommended the tax holiday, Richard Naidu, can have done so when Fiji Water is a client of his law firm, Munro Leys.
- None of them have questioned how a $28-billion company can pay no company tax in Fiji for seven years when the poorest Fijians are paying 15-per cent VAT.
Did they raise any of this with the nice Mr Resnick? Yeah, sure.
Now here’s a question we should all be asking them:
- How can you possibly live with yourselves as journalists when you haven’t ensured transparency and accountability of the Wonderful Company’s activities in Fiji yet are happy to accept its hospitality in America like wide-eyed kai colo?
Here’s more images from the most wonderful freebie imaginable. And it is a sorry reflection of the current state of the Fijian media. Supposedly “free” but in actual fact bought off. Whether it is by Fiji Water or the Coalition government, which has paid public money to the private media companies that employ Vijay Narayan and Stanley Simpson.
Ain’t life grand, Fiji. Happy Easter!
From the Grubsheet archives back in January.
Definitely, the Fiji media watchDOGS, lapping up Biman and Rabuka and making good of the opportunity to make a buck.
People dont realize how biased and borderline racist our media personalities are, some more than others.
I used to look up to people like Lice Movono as a student aspiring to be a journalist. She’s as shit as shit gets.
Vijay Narayan shouldn’t even be called a journalist. He’s a joke. Putting up a fake accent and kissing ass are his only talents.
The US embassy in Suva selected these Fijian leaders ( media personalities) for the State Dept sponsored visit. As per the International Visitors Leadership Program. One can only imagine the rational for choosing these media individuals – to develop the skills of these media influencers. Or to further US geopolitical interests in the South Pacific by giving these lot the freebies they crave for together with the photo opportunities screaming, look at me look at me, I made it big in the world (for a fleeting pretend moment). But they may have overlooked that Stanley Simpson would rather be in a one party communist style planned economy and government system!
Much like the China that the delegation of the Great Council of Chiefs were hosted by not too long ago…to learn from China’s poverty alleviation success.
Well I guess poverty reduction starts by wining and dining in style – starting with all the big chiefs , including the chief media chief.
(Hope WordPress upload does not do a typo by replacing Chief with Thief !)
So what is the Wonderful company coming to plant and do more in Fiji? Aren’t they making billions from the most impoverished region of Fiji?
These Fijians are so thick. Just like Naidu.
They themselves don’t care about the poor in Fiji. Their kaicolo attitude really shows here.
Stanley cannot even digest that he is sitting in a plane! What’s wrong with these guys. They look like kids in a candy shop. Kaicolo.
Go and freaking do some real journalism for once. You all are so pathetic and dumb that you won’t have a single thing to
Report on anyway. Nothing apart from your once in a lifetime opportunity to look important. Stan will post on his FB. His kailoma cheerleaders will all shower him with their broken English comments.
None of them would have had the balls to ask what the Fijians at home want to know.
Fiji Water is making money. Not Fiji. Not the kaiviti who eat the canned fish to survive. You all shall remain poor because one thing is granted for now. Your media is sold and they are not writing jackshit.
For the life of me I cannot imagine media in New Zealand ever getting anything like this. They will be ethnically and morally bankrupt and be the talk of the town if they did something like this with a company that wasn’t paying taxes back home. The public would have been so ruthless that they would have all lost credibility and mana.
Fijians have no shame.
They are a bunch of idiots.
Kaicolo with no journalism skills.
They are the stain on the society that we must never forget.
At the time when they are needed to do better, they are acting as spoilt brats.
Worldwide journalists are giving their lives for exposing corruption and incompetence by governments. Look at the journalists in Palestine. Lives are lost. And look at these fat filthy pigs. Eating, drinking, kava sessions, selling raffle tickets, staying in 5 star hotels, etc. Nothing in their conscience is wrong.
I feel for Fiji. They do not have a single media person that anyone can look up to. This is a critical point for many to realise that they will have to dig for the right information themselves because Fiji’s media is officially dead while CFL prostitutes the media in the South Pacifjc with their filth.
Thank you for sharing dumb heads.
We know what not to buy now and which shipping company not to use and recommend in the Pacific.
Media is crucial for shaping democracy.
In Fiji, the democracy is dead because of Fiji’s media.
They have all the freedom to write everything but mean nothing.
Never before in the history of this country have we seen such low level of scrutiny and accountability applied to any government and their misuse of power publicly.
Sad days are here.
Maybe somebody should tag the Trump team about these jokers – Trump hates the water mogul for his contribution towards Kamala Harris and Fijians suffering because of it – thanks Richard and Rabuka. Trump could give Fiji an Easter gift by detaining and giving an American style interrogation to these Morons there – Stan, Fred and VJ would poopoo themselves.
Poor, desperate and gullible Fiji’s media, lured by the siren song of all-expenses-paid junkets, now find themselves unwitting contestants in Dodo’s Caucus Race—where the objective is unclear, the path is circular, and everyone walks away a winner, preferably with a gift bag from Fiji Water. Articles bloom with praise like bottled springwater from a corporate press release, as reporters dutifully anchor the narrative in pageantry and PR gloss. The absurdity is dressed in ceremony to look legitimate, but beneath the surface lies a hollow ritual: when the press becomes part of the performance, truth is the only one left without a prize.
As a young journalist I have raised this before and would like to bring it up again – that it is always the same senior journalists going on all the trips. They never give us any opportunities. It shows how greedy and corrupt they are. I hope we can get together and vote them out of the Fiji Media Association especially Stanley Simpson, the leader of this media mafia. They are pathetic journalists who only know how to take advantage of junkets. They are disgrace.
In a now free Fiji and free media, these so called journalists are now free to be proud idiots. That was not possible under the previous regime apparently.
Isn’t being free Wonderful. Especially when you have the freedom to choose to be stupid. There is no bigger and better freedom than the freedom to choose to be an idiot.
That gives you a Wonderful feeling. Thumbs up.
Don’t they all look so fat and ugly. Can’t they see it? Or has all the fun and full chow made them all go blind?
Sad, it’s so hard for an ordinary Fijian to get a visa to even visit the U.S. you need to have a lot in the the bank and prove you have a good job to come back and even then it’s very hard. I think it’s very unfair. Many just want to see the world and broaden their horizons.
These two had everything rolled out for them. So far removed from integrity and don’t see the tackiness.
Why not invite some Fijians that are in agriculture, students, or experts on business rather than the media.
This PR stunt is backfiring.
Just like the rich women going into space, how does it help anyone?
Downright insulting. Conflict of interest to send media on vacation.
Since 1996, Fiji Water has enjoyed a corporate tax holiday—a sweetheart deal granted under then-Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka. For over a decade, this billion-dollar brand paid next to nothing for extracting one of Fiji’s most precious natural resources.
It wasn’t until 2010 that the Bainimarama government dared to challenge this injustice by increasing the water extraction tax. Fiji Water’s response? A dramatic shutdown of operations—an act of corporate blackmail. Eventually, they caved, raising their annual tax bill from a laughable F$500,000 to F$22.6 million. But that was just the surface.
Behind the scenes, Fiji Water has been accused of transfer pricing—selling water at artificially low prices to its U.S. parent company, The Wonderful Company. The strategy is clear: minimize profits in Fiji, dodge taxes locally, and shift earnings to the U.S. where further tax loopholes await. This isn’t smart business—it’s legal looting.
And what does Fiji get in return? Crumbs. The government, incredibly, continues to defend this farce. Trade Minister Manoa Kamikamica even claimed there’s been “zero loss of revenue.” That statement insults every Fijian struggling to get by while their natural wealth is siphoned off.
This is more than negligence—it’s betrayal. The same leaders who preach about protecting iTaukei land are letting foreign companies plunder it with impunity. Fiji Water thrives. Fiji suffers.
The time for complacency is over. The people of Fiji must wake up, call out the hypocrisy, and demand accountability from those enabling this exploitation. Enough is enough!
Sa rauta na lasu! Vote them out!
I work/worked for department of Communications FJ – I am deliberately stating my work status as past or present to protect myself/my colleagues. Every FJ media company needs to pay license fees to operate in FJ and their account has to be current. Mai TV hasn’t paid for their license for last 6 years – it’s over $100k owed under two govts.
Minister Manoa’s directive is to ignore the file as it’s an unfair charge from previous govt. Guess what – every other TV operator is still paying. Why is Stan allowed to flaunt his escapades when he is ripping the tax payer off? Why doesn’t Mai pay the rightful dues to be a legitimate broadcaster?
Why has Minister Manoa chosen to give Mai special treatment – is it because his wife walks around the department telling staff what to do or else? She has come to the office many times with Stanley and they act like best buddies ( Stan calls Ann First Lady and she giggles like a smitten kitten every time).
Communications team live in fear of backlash if they question the Mai Tv situation. I challenge Stan or Ann or Minister Manoa to come on this site and explain the situation including any exemptions / arrangements/ relationship with Stan or Mai. There could be some embarrassing documents being released soon if you don’t address this matter.
Take responsibility Stan. Why should the tax payer suffer while you travel the world Stan? I also urge my colleagues ( past and present) to do the same as me – speak out on this platform – it’s time to stand up and be counted – do the right thing and expose Stan, Ann and Minister Manoa.
Release the documents instead of threatening Minister – have you got the balls to, it will be a major breach of current or former employee contract. What about the former minister – didn’t FBC get favours pre 2022? – Current Minister is very fair. As for Stanley and Mai, they can defend themselves if they not paying for their licence.
Isn’t this corruption if it is all true? I know, I know this is normal in the new Fiji. But how come it has taken this long for it to come out?
So Stanley cannot pay the fees for MaiTV but busy selling raffles in USA for Grammar.
I would hate to associate with this person and his company. What an absolute joke he is. So much for showing off on his social media page! Go and pay your fees rather than acting like a Mr Know it All in Fiji.
As an old timer, I would love to see true TV journalists like Rebecca, Richard, Riyaz, Imraz return in today’s Fiji – they have all changed now with different political perspectives but they knew how to read the landscape in 1990/2000 era – they were very well balanced and had investigative skills in those days – now you have turncoats like Stanley, Fred and Vijay who think they are untouchable.
I reckon we were far better under the FijiFirst government. Despite the drawbacks.
Rabuka has attracted a rotten brand of journalists and lawyers. The type that can’t be trusted with objectivity.
Graham, when you get the chance, do put up the picture of Stanley tearing up at the repeal of the MIDA ACT.
The tears of joy, for he and retards of his ilk could now act as harlots for the right price.
I did already. 🙂 https://www.grubsheet.com.au/look-at-the-state-of-the-fijian-media-and-weep/
Ah, thanks. 😊
I really feel for Stanley and Vijay Narayan’s friends and family – imagine having to put up with this type of self centered arrogant ego daily. Maybe they choose to ignore it because they have been showered with blood money.
These are our national shame.
Corrupt as always.
They have normalised harm in this country.
They pretend to care but they don’t.
Look at them all.
Obese, doped, f**kwits.
No sense of pride in any one of them. They cannot even stand up with any pride rather than their inflated egos.
How do they sleep at night knowing they haven’t done justice to their profession?
Sick bastards. Fiji’s filthy media all paraded in one image abroad.
Keep doing the good work GD. Someone needs to hold them accountable.
Many Ra bus stops along Kings Rd that Winston destroyed in 2016 still need repairing. The one opposite Ra Maternity Hospital was finally fixed by FRA just a few months ago. One wonders why now. Sad to see expecting mothers and those with new born babies “sheltering” there in the sun and rain over the past 8-9 years.
Lynda would have driven past many times when still in charge of women, while Rambo ignored it on his way to the Ra Provincial Council meeting in Nanukuloa soon after taking office. Both Stewart and Richard would have done the same too. Likewise, the DPMs, Health Minister, Cabinet and Opposition lots, Shamima and other women’s rights advocates.
A responsible media would have reported on this. They could have done it but aerially only on that Wonderful private jet.
All bloody ineffective at grassroots level. Mai Ballot Box Mai!
So the 1.7 million was loose change like spending money for these kaicolos. They must have flown business class whilst most of us can barely afford trips overseas. How dare government protect fiji airways making it the only airline in fiji at the expense of locals who want to travel but can’t because of ticket prices. And taxpayers pay for this junket. Fiji airways collect the 3m taxpayers money from the Israeli trip.
American embassy giving visas to this lot whilst treating others like common criminals and rejecting approvals.
Two other ministers are overseas. Traveling to Taiwan and Bangkok.
Meanwhile women will continue to wash clothes in basins, sell Sasa, and youths doing drugs, crime.
Imbecilic, idiotic, blockhead and deranged best describe the antics of VJ, Fred and Stan – sad days ahead for fiji media.
Graham, I’m pretty you’ve explored the other angle that most here on this forum have neglected.
With balance and an insatiable appetite
for detail in your arsenal of journalistic attributes, we await the news of any inducements that SITIVENI RABUKA had to have received to allow the not so wonderful company to avoid taxes. Essentially to rob the Fijians.
There is just no way Rabuka, Biman and Dick did this for free.
HINT: CRYPTO, TAX HAVENS, SHELL COMPANIES
Reginald Tui, Fred, Stan and VJ – digital, paper, Tv and Radio – sold in a package to highest bidder- Rabuka backed Fiji Water.
To all haters of Mai and CFL – don’t hate the organisation, hate the people – their actions don’t reflect everyone employed in these companies – Stan and Veejay should be embarrassed to come back.
There is nothing good to say about Mai TV and CFL. Full stop. Whoever decides to work there, do so at their own will. No one pushes them to work there. They all fit the organisation perfectly.
Anyone who associates with CFL and Mai TV are setting themselves for legal scrutiny come 2027. Run while you can. These men will throw you under the bus and stand on the side and smile.
Next time you see Richard at his favourite Coffee shop, let him know how you feel and what he has done to our country – freedom of speech.
The kalavata, a uniquely and newly acquired Fiji tradition and culture, very popular nowadays as it reinforces the Third World, third-rate country that Fiji is.
It is very important that we promote the Third World, third-rate culture and tradition and status to the rest of the world.
And that can only happen if the government and the journalists and the people of Fiji are Third World and third-rate. And very proud to have that status – kaila and giggle, giggle just like these world beating journalists from Fiji.
Unless someone has another explanation?
I cannot get over the fact how ugly they all are.
Fiji Water is using the same tried and tested technique it used against our aged and dopey Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, when he met with the Resnicks. Rabuka was so bedazzled and so eager to please that he agreed to the seven-year tax holiday for Fiji Water. The package was designed by Finance Minister Biman Prasad with Fiji Water lawyer, Richard Naidu, working behind-the-scenes.
Rubuka, Biman, and Richard Naidu sold out the interests of Fiji in the resource oneness in a really despicable manner. Now Fiji Water is trying to buy out the Fiji media through junkets. In Fiji, idiots who pass for journalists are so impressed by all the wealth they see that you can bet your bottom dollar they will not write anything negative against Fiji Water even if it’s warranted.
Even before this trip, we used to see in the media simply republish press releases by Fiji Water, without any additional work. The gullible Fiji media is a sucker for Fiji Water’s tactics. What to expect with people like Fred, Stanley and Vijay controlling the Fiji Media Association.
Cheque book journalist junket correctly exposed by GD – these outlets are shamelessly showing their bias, they will be the vehicles for Rambo’s election ride, Fiji Sun and FBC did it for ASK in 22 and look what happened, history will repeat itself in 26.
Graham – your questions Re Fiji water are so valid but it doesn’t fit my papers criteria and Richard isn’t available to vet the story – Fred
Graham – your questions Re Fiji Water are so valid but I dont understand it – Regi Tui
Graham – your questions Re Fiji Water are so valid but my head can’t process it – Stanley
Graham – your questions Re Fiji Water are so valid but my fat ego and dim brain can’t make me see it – Vijay
Graham – your questions Re Fiji Water are so valid but I need 20% of your income to promote it – Pramesh
Graham – your questions Re Fiji Water are so valid but I am just cleaning my poopoo again so can’t help – William.
Look, the fanny pack!
OMG, Butthead has a fanny pack.
Hahahahaha! Everyone knows the fanny pack is so 1990s.
Apparently, Emiritus chamaar’s left ball Butthead didn’t get the memo.
The woman in the group picture standing on the right, the short fat one, is the boss at Pacific News Association. My wife tells me she travels overseas a lot. I have seen many pictures of her posting on Facebook. It looks like she travels quite a bit. Pacific News Association needs to be investigated. How does that woman travel so many times in a year? It can only be possible when there is abuse or those part of the organisation including the Pacific News Association Board is allowing it to happen under their watch. The corruption needs to stop.
With so many exposures and questions raised in this forum every day,not a single so called journalist in Fiji sees it fit to write about it. It’s all honky dory…Fiji the way the world should be….depraved and corrupt.
This is what you get when you are not willing to work hard and earn yourself qualifications and a job that pays you decent money . Decent enough so that you hold a moral compass and you won’t sell your souls and ass to the men and women with the bling !
Stanley is broke ! Lice Movono is always asking people for a loan! Vijay Narayan is a bully on a leash! And he’s also broke !! Fred Wesley was always a sports reporter with no news sense and his dick has him paying lots of maintenance money for his kids from various women! So you have a bunch of self serving idiots who will be bought easily ! Bloody c**ts !
Lice, the tongue spinning crazy slanging hippo. Another obese journalist.
What’s up with these journalists being so obese and untidy? Do they look at themselves before going to work?
A junior Fiji Times reporter told me this year that they are not allowed to publish anything against the Coalition. He said the whole team is just there to write and collect their pay. Fred doesn’t care. Nor do they.
USP states:
Bachelor of Arts (Journalism)
On successful completion of this programme, graduates are expected to be able to:
Critically discuss the role of the media in society, with reference to historical background and theoretical frameworks in the Pacific and global contexts;
Practise all aspects of journalism in a way that conforms to legal frameworks, ethical standards and cultural norms, both locally and internationally;
Communicate accurately, appropriately and in a timely manner in all media formats and platforms;
Use technical and professional competencies for practising journalism in different contexts and different media, including social media, both individually and collaboratively;
Conduct journalistic and academic research using appropriate methods for different contexts and following ethical standards and procedures in Pacific contexts.
I don’t see any graduate of USP so far having any of these skillsets. They cannot even get local context right, leave alone global. No wonder the whole country is failing.
Btw Stanley, when are you reviewing the MIDA Act or is it dead now? When is Fiji going to have a Broadcasting Standard so we don’t have to listen to the shit that FM96 and others at CFL utter everyday? Any idea Stan or you just another typical user in this Coalition government’s corruption?
Those photos are not so disimilar to ones of corrupt African leaders/ngo’s and media from some third world banana republic being wined and dined …Fiji is no different..so cringy .
So terrible to see the state of Fiji’s media today. Miss the days of Jale Moala, Robert Keith Reid, Asha Lakhan and Netani Rika. Journalists with integrity and grit. This lot resemble prawns – no guts, no spine and heads full of shit.
Jale Moala is in Christchurch. He should run a $2,000 per day class for these dumbfu&ks. They will probably learn more from him in a day than the whole 3 years at journo school at USP.
Stan must be hating this post and exposure. His Facebook post likes have fallen drastically in the last 5 hours to less than 60 likes. Even the kailoma cheer crowd can see through this nonsense human now.
That kaindia Stanley Simpson was not allowed to be stupid under the previous regime. Now he is free to be as stupid and as big an idiot as he likes. And he has made that choice and that leap with great pride. Life is so good now. And it does bring tears to one’s eyes with so much freedom to be as corrupt as one can get. Such freedoms are to be cherished.
Where did he get that name from by the way. Does he know who his father is?
The fat lady on the right is Makareta ‘Useless’ Komai aka the junket queen. She is an admin in at the Pacific Islands News Association, that’s all, but she’s always traveling. What Fiji Media Association needs to explain is why is she on this trip and others when she is not a journalist and she never writes a story? Why is she allowed to deny a journalist his or her place? What a waste. Fiji Media Association should take action for her own good – Just look how overweight she is as a result of all the traveling and all the free food that goes with it? The corruption and nepotism in Fiji media stinks. How can they hold government to account if they themselves are such rotten snouts in the trough?
A grumble: In 2 thousand years of history the number of people you need to pay 30 pieces of silver to has definitely increased.
Now you have to pay: lawyers, journos, politicians and put up with social media exposing it all.
Hey don’t blame the company, we need to have a look at the individuals who have accepted the 30 pieces – after all everyone remembers Judas but not so much the person who paid him.
See Stanley latest photos on FB – he is passed out – great look queen.
He is so out of touch and control. Self exposing himself to scrutiny. Not a good look for a senior media person in the country.
I was thinking that this billionaire couple are not liked by the Trump administration, right. Trump must have already heard about how Fiji’s media has been groomed. I wonder what repercussions this will have on Fiji from Trump’s administration. Didn’t anyone teach these stupids to keep things under the radar a bit while they are getting spoilt like kaicolo adults in a sex toy shop? I mean they could have got some lesson on how to stay less obvious first time around from Queen 233.
GD – you must realize that all over the world the African origins are easily corrupt-able people. Just look at African continent !!! Then look at South Pacific countries where the natives look like Africans. Rings any bells. !!! Push comes to shove, for money, they will sell their mothers.
Stan is a good guy by nature. I am surprised and disappointed the way he has turned out to be under this government. I would have thought that he was going to shine, be neutral and present himself as an example of a good senior journalist.
Reaching the age of almost 50 there Stan and you have lost all the credibility and respect that you worked hard for all these years.
Come on man. Turn yourself around and have some sense. You are supposed to be a respected leader in your field and now the junior journalists are laughing at you. This is not a good look Stan. Your failure goes far. It hurts your wife and children equally as you have them plastered all over social media yourself and they can see and read the comments as young adults. Very disappointed in you Stanley.
Also, just a little advice…keep your professional and private life separate. Your children and family don’t need to be on your public page. You are a journalist. It’s just basic safe practice for any journalist. Thought you would know better.
Nirmal Singh Cheema hits the nail on the head:
“I try to be as independant and realistic as possible. Having served as the political and public diplomacy specialist with the American Embassy I always maintained my political neutrality. When I write I do so on how things have changed since then. Let’s look at our media now especially our news editors who are in the US on International Visitors Program and now we see Resnicks of Fiji Water giving them a treat with private jet and five star menu treatment. When I was with the US Embassy I had sent Vijay Narayan on a month’s program to the US. That time United States was an icon of freedom, democracy and role model to free world. Today it represents a repressive country which undermines its own democratic proccess and abuse of international norms. I wonder what Americans are teaching our journalists?
Today the mainstream media are for sale to the highest bidder. And you really don’t have to offer much. Just give them free trip and good food. One who shed tears when coalition was elected today is seen more with food then with media ethics. Have you noticed most of them are growing sideways. This is like young kids who behave after getting free lollypop and free merry go around. This would have been hilarious had it not been for the impact they are having on budding journalists. What type of role models we have these days. They have sold their souls and are shamelessly displaying their lust for spoils for highest bidders by displaying their treatment and food they get to feed on.
And have you noticed their press statements after their kana loto and merry making! What a bunch of shameless self serving clowns! We are lucky and fortunate social media has displaced main stream media. Shame on you!
Well Chinese and Japanese go for it with you chow mein and tempura. That’s all the Fiji media is worth! They are waiting for your invite!”
Good for him. I’m glad others like Nirmal with an understanding of how the media should work share my concerns.
Nirmal doesn’t seem to have the best writing skills. Whilst the message is there his expression is not the best. I mean he is not a journalist, I guess.
Yeah, applies to me too, but I am far from a journalist.
It’s the thought that counts.
See you in Fiji Stan – when you, Regi, Fred and VJ walk the streets of Suva and people stare at you, know that it’s pure disrespect, nothing personal.
The walk of atonement in Suva is needed like Games of Throne, we need these culprits punished – the gang of cheque book journalists led by Stan the monkey man and pork chop VJ, followed by entitled Fijians Malimali, Nancy, Rabuku and the entire DDP clowns and closely tracked by the third contingent of super losers like Pramesh 15% Sharma, Nitya air points Reddy, Richard noosy Naidu, Poopoo Parkinson, chor Lodhia, Hari Chor Punja, dim head Ajay Amrit, Entire loser Vinod Patel family And the last contingent led by Rabuka and his circus, finished off by the most attractive flamboyant person, Lunda. Security provided by Losers from RFMF.
Ps – Pio will be away on overseas trip so he will do solo walk when back next year.
Comments keep coming meaning this story has/had so much legs – well done GD, there are thousands reading and feeling disappointed and disgusted with Regi, Fred, VJ and Stan – all the best on your return home, suggest you don’t leave home and office for a while as it’s walk of shame in suva, airport, school, market, church, restaurants etc for all of you – Stanley and VJ in particular will be heavily targeted for embarrassment – high price to pay Lads, your career and credibility gone in poopoo drain.
Concern about the state and conduct of the Fiji medias’ big swinging dickheads is mounting. The Fiji Labour Party statement:
“ Fiji Water lures Fiji’s Media.
The Resnicks, owners of the infamous (tax-free) Fiji Water company, hosted key Fijian media personalities showing how easily the media can be lured by plane rides, sumptuous food and gifts.
Accepting such cheap favours from a company with a record of depriving the people of Fiji of hundreds of millions of tax dollars over the years, is nothing short of submitting to its corrupting influence.
Whilst our mesmerised journos were given a tour of the state-of-the-art fruit and nut farms of the company in California, none seem to have quizzed the Resnicks for an update on their promise of establishing lime, lemon, papaya and pineapple farms in South-West Viti Levu, between Nadi and Sigatoka, as was announced in their news coverage of 21st May 2024.
A small team of three from Fiji Water visited the area last July to make an initial assessment. We have not heard of any progress since then. Was this a fake promise?
Sadly, our mainstream media standards have fallen to their lowest under the Coalition government’s ‘buy-them-out’ policy, despite the media being supposedly “free” to report without government scrutiny.
They are now the handmaidens of the government with millions paid out to them to spew out government propaganda. The latest among them is Communications Fiji Limited (Vijay Narayan’s Fiji Village) which just signed up for $1.7m to stage, among other things, umpteen ‘Straight Talk’ sessions with our not so straight Ministers!
Meanwhile, Fiji Water is laughing all the way to the Bank having to pay no income tax – a gift from Biman, Rabuka and Richard, while the rest of the population has to dig deep into their pockets to pay the increased VAT amidst a cost of living crisis.”
I mentioned about a year ago how insane that Fiji water makes billions and yet many Fijians don’t have water and even that we had to bring your own water to the hospital… (BYOW)
Imagine going in for an emergency and you have to bring your own water! That was the reality… but no mention from anyone in the press of how crazy this is. Just bring your water!
I was wondering at the time why the hospital couldn’t arrange to get Fiji Water delivered to the patients for that time.
This would be a massive story for 60 Minutes.
Why hasn’t it been picked up? Only because the Resnicks have so much power in Hollywood? Or it’s not known to the international media. This is an interesting and important story and combine the imagery of thousands of plastic bottles being brought on freighters in from china to fill with Fiji water… will expose all the enablers and dig into what they got paid out of it.
The other crazy thing is that why doesn’t the government get rain barrels to every village! It costs money to get a rain barrel from WAF last I checked. If fiji govt cannot provide consistent water then please provide barrels. How is this so hard? It’s raining constantly and people don’t have any water. Some kids have to walk quite a way before school to get some water!
I am perplexed at how utterly dysfunctional this government is that they can’t see to get rain barrels to needy people.
Does their tax break have any “ out clause”??
Maybe it’s time to wake up and help the people of Fiji.
Fiji Government breaks the rules all the time.
Why would you trigger an “out clause” when you are given gifts and freebies and joy rides to stay in your place?
What is more, why would you trigger an out clause when you get the opportunity to promote your ugly, fat arses on Facebook daily. “Hey look at me, look at me, see how f**king ugly we are, you lot are no match for us”.
Why would one trigger an out clause when one has open slather to be as stupid as possible in a free country with a free media paid to promote the government’s agenda.
That is not just referring to the media group of pigs currently enjoying themselves on a ‘training session’ in the USA, it also referes to all the pigs in government, starting with the PM.
What I do not understand is that being Israelites, they all eat and behave like pigs. Someone needs to tell them, because they are totally unaware. I guess they are too busy enjoying themselves and they are oblivious to the obvious!
That’s a nice Jet in the photo. A “wonderful” Capitalist Tool. The late Malcolm Forbes (Laucala Island) had named his private Boeing 727 The Capitalist Tool.
Mr Simpson and his team obviously don’t have “being discrete” in their professional journalistic tool kit. No, all and sundry have to see familiar images of the Golden Gate bridge, cacti in the desert, restaurant meals, private jets – all in typical kaicolo tradition.
Now his inner circle will be waiting with bated breath the exclusive “inside news” that the news chief will reveal to his chosen ones first before it’s on the news channels a few hours later.
It looks like the capitalists “May” have plied their tools and gifts well in the continued extraction of water and goodwill out of earths finest…
Footnote: It was the entrepreneurship of David Gilmore that saw the potential of the water in the aquafier in Ra province. He added great value to it with his marketing genius and put Fiji into Hollywood. His gain and subsequently of the current owners is not to be begrudged. The local resource owners would not have had the foresight, capital or market reach to do what D Gilmore’s Wakaya Investments did in creating gold and wealth out of the ground. The capitalist does not usually run a charity shop. Having said that, there are some good ongoing philanthropic activities from successful capitalists who do put back into society, and some long after they have gone.
As an ex Suva Grammar student, I am disgusted with this unprofessional behaviour by Stanley. We were always taught to love, respect and hold integrity- Stan loves $, lost all his respect with this deluded decision to justify this trip and lost / has no integrity now – shame on you and I hope you don’t associate your filthy name with our prestigious school brand, you are a stain that needs to wiped off forever.
Let us not forget the others from Grammar – Mr Pramesh 15% take Sharma, Mrs Ann PMs wife in waiting CumCumeither, Sufi my husband poos poos for other reasons Dean – these former students are also stains of our Grammar brand – that’s why this bunch behave with entitlement like Stan – typical Suva elite.
Imbecilic journalists Vijay and Stanley are back home now, I am told by a fellow traveller that Grubsheet was continuously talked about and visited during this junket, how will you both now look at your friends, colleagues and the general public? Every time you do, think what they are thinking about you after reading Fiji’s reaction on this site. Morons of the highest kind – Vijay and Stanley.
End of the road for PooPoo Parkinson’s beloved fat lapdog, Vijay Narayan. Straight talk will now be rebranded PooPoo talk by Vijay Narayan – Isa Vijay, all those years of bullying staff will come to an end. Hopefully Fiji Water has a job for you, CEO lol – well exposed G Davis.
There’s something that looks quite wrong about that tax holiday.
Something murky in the waters, and the process needs to be looked at. How did the interests of a plastic maker get rocketed to the front of the queue for a goody bag?
Who pushed that agenda? who was whispering in the ear of government with that bright idea? Who actually benefited from it?
It’s reported that the Fiscal Review committee recommended the tax holiday so what have they said as a group about it to explain their decision?
They say they disclosed to each other that they could have conflicts of interest, but who had actual conflicts?
Did anyone with actual conflicts recuse themselves from the decision? Have those persons explained what, if any, benefits they have received or would receive from the company?
Who, if anyone, has a direct financial relationship with Fiji water? In other words who was paid and what were they paid?
This information should be provided by anyone acting in a public capacity and serving on the Fiscal Review committee – as a person acting in a public capacity making recommendations on issues of public revenue (our money) we have the right to know.
What do the members of the Fiscal Review committee know about this?
These are all legitimate questions on behalf the of the tax payer who is not so stupid to believe a footnote in a report is sufficient.
Sad to say all business owners in Suva feel the same way, yet this is just a comment on a thread… it’s a potential huge scandal about resources and public revenue and who is caught up in it – it needs to be an actual investigative journo piece – now what chance of that?
Reminder to All. Looks like they were all there.
The current office bearers of the Fijian Media Association (FMA) are: Rosi Doviverata (President), Fred Wesley (Vice President), Stanley Simpson (General Secretary), Indra Singh (Assistant General Secretary), Reginald Tui (Treasurer), Vijay Narayan (Assistant Treasurer), and Makereta Komai (Executive Member
https://pina.com.fj/2024/03/25/fijian-media-association-agm-outcome/
The corrupt office bearers of the FMA. Going on every effing training trip. Just like our politicians, creaming all the benefits for themselves. Nothing for us young journalists working day-in, day-out it the newsroom. Greedy bastards.
Flashback to the appointment of members of the Fiji Fiscal Review Committee that Richard chaired. All of them would have known of that Wonderful 7-year tax holiday.
Fiji Government
March 7, 2023 ·
2023 FISCAL REVIEW COMMITTEE APPOINTED
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Hon. Biman Prasad announced the appointment of the 2023 Fiscal Review Committee today (07.03.23).
The committee is tasked to examine the overall setting of the Government’s fiscal policy and make recommendations on how the Government can rebalance its revenue and spending, find avenues for economic growth and ensure that Government can fiscally sustain itself over the next decade.
“In the last decade the Government has spent more money than it has earned on its daily operations. This is before it begins to borrow for capital investment. Public debt in 2015 stood at about 46 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It is now at about 85 per cent and it is still not under control.”
“On coming into office the World Bank shared its Public Expenditure Review which is nearly finalised. The advice is alarming. Without significant changes to Government finances our debt to GDP will approach nearly 100 per cent in 10 years’ time. This will leave Government no room to borrow for the urgent capital expenditure we need now,” Minister Prasad stated.
DPM Prasad also stated that Fiji has some hard economic choices ahead and it is inevitable that there will be increases in taxation.
“We have to find ways to better measure and control government spending. We have to improve the environment for private sector investment and economic growth. In all this we must also ensure that our most vulnerable and economically disadvantaged people are appropriately protected. Finding the best mix of options is the challenge.”
The Committee has 14 members. They are:
•(Chair) Richard Naidu– Commercial and taxation lawyer and a partner of the law firm of Munro Leys
•(Deputy Chair) Lisa Apted – partner of KPMG Fiji, chartered accountant and tax professional
•Reaaz Ali – company Director and entrepreneur from Nadi
•Vani Catanisiga – Co-ordinator of the Fiji Council of Social Services
•Edwin Chand – a company director and businessman from Labasa
•Neelesh Gounder – Economist and Deputy Head of School (Research) at the School of Accounting, Finance and Economics at The University of the South Pacific
•Matelita Katamotu – a business adviser and eco-tourism entrepreneur in Namosi
•Fantasha Lockington – Executive Director of Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association
•Kirti Patel – Librarian and community activist from Lautoka
•Pradeep Patel – Partner of BDO Fiji, a chartered accountant and tax professional
•Naibuka Saune – Chief Executive of Merchant Finance Limited
•Viliame Takayawa – A company Director and member of the SODELPA Management Board
•Barry Whiteside – A company Director and former Governor of the Reserve Bank of Fiji
•Mereia Volavola – A business consultant and former chief executive of the Capital Markets Development Authority.
The committee will be holding public consultations in the major urban centres of the country and invites submissions from economic stakeholders and the public.
DPM Prasad’s speech can be accessed on the link: http://bit.ly/3SRGJB0
#peoplescoalition #FijiNews #GovernmentNews
https://www.facebook.com/FijiGovernment/posts/2023-fiscal-review-committee-appointeddeputy-prime-minister-and-minister-for-fin/591374253026776/
One of the biggest beneficiaries of board appointments by finance minister Baimaan is Kiriti Patel. Besides the FRC, Baimaan appointed her to the TSLS and one other board – 3 in total. She got kicked out of the third board because she wasn’t qualified. She survived in the two other boards because of Baimaan’s influence. Everyone is mystified by her appointment as she does not meet the criteria and the understanding that has been reached is that she must have some special attributes that only Baimaan is aware of because no one else can make any sense it it. It’s a mystery all right. But our media is too stupid to look into it.
Born there, bred there and die there… Rakiraki businessman and ex-Minister, GSR, is calling for tax free incentives for businesses in Ra. Ra businesses like Fiji Water already have tax free holidays until 2030. Boso, it’s simple, just call Richard Naidu and kerekere him. But before that, ensure that your company Is a client of Munro Leys. Set, vakadua!
https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/call-for-tax-free-zone/
Surely private-jet- junket should have made these so-called experienced Fiji journalists think this appears unseemly.
You can’t speak truth to power with your cake-hole stuffed with fine dining .
Dennis Rounds, a respected and seasoned former journalist from Fiji who worked for the US Embassy expresses his disapproval and disappointment over the scandalous Fiji Media Association junket to the US:
“I SEE: a former co-US Embassy colleague of mine (Nirmal Singh Cheema) expressing an opinion (on his page) about the recent sponsored visit of Fiji news editors to the US.
One thing is for sure: What sponsored media visitors get to experience/see is what the State Department WANTS them to experience/see.
If they’re taken to a “black” person’s home as part of the visit, in all likelihood that “black” person will be a well-to-do person – more often than not, a successful business person – and of a certain political leaning.
I am of the view that media personnel should NOT accept sponsored tours such as the one the current group of editors have embarked on, UNLESS there is PRIOR consent that whatever information is gathered during the visit is considered “on the record” and can be used in news reporting.
I don’t know – and admit the visit could have been arranged months prior to the tariff issues breaking.
But I would imagine that questions would have been raised with relevant people about the tariffs and its impact on Fiji.
Also, how many Fiji nationals face deportation, how many Fiji Green Card holders could face deportation, how many-if any Fiji students might be under investigation for supporting pro-Palestinian protests.
I know the saying about looking a gift horse in the mouth. But I also know there is such a thing taught in American journalism schools as “Journalism Ethics”. I should know, because I was taught the subject by a renowned American author on Ethics in Journalism, Professor Ralph Barney.”
Ethics in Journalism and in the Political Philosophy of Fiji don’t currently exist. If there are even slivers of these qualities of virtue still about, let’s hope they see a resurgence – because ethics and morals seem to have been sold for 30 pieces of silver, a Rolex, ministerial portfolios , a free feed or $172,000 by the present day Judas Iscariots.
The more I think about this planeload of hand picked journalists the more I feel how cunning they are, the safety in numbers by the elimination of critics from their own industry.
They aren’t alone in these sort of junkets. The same thing happens around the world but usually are more like some sort of paid advertorial.
I would like to know if the journalists took time out of their annual leave to do this or was their time to attend paid for by their place of employment ?
In my humble opinion the public is being treated contemptuously and these journos should apologise for their lack of good judgement.