There is something deeply perverse about a government that launches a formal campaign against disinformation paid for by the British taxpayer using the itaukei word “sautu“.
It means peace and prosperity when the nation has experienced anything but under the Coalition government. But na veisaututaki also means “the pacification” – a none-too-subtle signal of the government’s intention to pacify the nation ahead of the coming election with the illusion of peace and prosperity.
It is one thing for “Rolex Rambo” to continue to manipulate the media using the tax dollars of the Fijian people – he still won’t say where his $150,000 solid gold timepiece came from – but quite another for one of the great democracies that supposedly values transparency and accountability to assist him to hoodwink his own people.
“The Fijian Counter Disinformation Framework”? If only the long-suffering British people knew their hand-earned tax pounds were being wasted on such a cynical exercise guided by their High Commissioner in Suva – the Iranian-born Kanbar Hossein-Bor (see below)
The first refugee to ever make it to the top of the British diplomatic service has not only gone native by embracing the sulu but has evidently developed a close relationship with the Minister for Information, Lynda Tabuya, more commonly known to our readers as the “Minister for Bonking and Weed”.
Does His Excellency Kanbar Hossein-Bor know about Lynda Tabuya’s multiple scandals?
- The flit from the US leaving behind more than $F100-million in debts…
- The drug taking and “brutal” sex encounter with Aseri Radrodro in Room 233..
- The sex tape when she was co-chair of the government’s Anti-Porn Task Force…
- The lies, the stripping of her deputy leadership of the PAP, the stripping of her former portfolio of minister for women…
- The alleged “sham divorce” with her very much married husband to avoid declaring his millions to the Elections Office.
All this Lynda Tabuya casts as disinformation and she has gone after anyone who dares highlight it, including Grubsheet, Alexandra Forwood and the Oxford-based Victor Lal of Fijileaks. But it is FACT.
Is Britain to assist her to go after anyone who dares pursue her and highlight her gross misconduct and hypocrisy in the election lead-up? You need to have a good look at yourself, High Commissioner. Because it isn’t a good look for you or the great country you represent in Fiji.
How much has Britain spent on the “Counter Disinformation Framework”? And do Kanbar Hossein-Bor’s superiors back at the Foreign Office in London approve of British money being given to Lynda Tabuya to fund her pet project – a personal vendetta against anyone who dares mention the truth about her scandalous conduct in government?
Britain has done a great deal of good in Fiji – its former colonial charge – over the years. But this isn’t benefiting the Fijian people at all. It is benefiting a governing elite which has already corrupted the local media with taxpayer funds to buy its silence and is intent on manipulating the truth in the lead-up to an election that it doesn’t deserve to win.
Any funding to promote the flow of free and factual information in Fiji should have gone to civil society, not a government that condones the kind of conduct on the part of its ministers which would exclude them from public office in Britain or any other reputable democracy.
Shame on Britain and shame on Kanbar Hossein-Bor. This is not an exercise in exposing disinformation but suppressing the truth.
It is an exercise worthy of the nation from which he fled – Iran – not the nation that embraced him and gave him such an exalted position – the once proud “mother of the free” now assisting third world governments to hunt down and expose those who dare to speak the truth.
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First, news coverage of the announcement of Sautu and the corresponding government communications handbook.
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And background on the man who is assisting the government’s own disinformation campaign.
His mother was right. He isn’t British enough to see through Lynda Tabuya and the rest of the Coalition’s gaggle of misfits.
Let’s be in no doubt what Lynda Tabuya and the Coalition does to its critics.
Now with the imprimatur of the “Land of Hope and Glory, Mother of the Free”.
DECLARATION:
Grubsheet was once part of the FijiFirst government’s communications effort on behalf of the US company, Qorvis Communications.
Our critics called it “disinformation” but it was at least funded by the Fijian government and not unsuspecting outsiders.
The Prime Minister includes “body language” in his definition of communications. Here’s Grubsheet’s response to his latest initiative – along with a promise to be on his government’s case all the way to election day.
Both Lynda and Rabuka are desperate to control the public discourse ! But they will not be able to control their own flaws which keeps occurring for the world to see !
Control or not – kemudou na lusi PAP! It’s over ! Prepare for prison Rabuka! That’s where you really belong . And orange will look nice on the lying slut herself ! Lynda sa rauta na lasu !
Tag the Brit n Aussie H Comms in a suitable meme …best would be a starring role a la Laurel and Laurel II, (Hardy knobbly knees won’t work in the sulu) right down to the cebo sandals.
The giggling Aussie and the corn on the cob Brit are an absolute disgrace and sh*t heads to boot. Is there a public concern number to call or a forum to post comments about these dickheads to their dickless PMs.
Great move and timing- with Fiji’s only independent body, FICAC, in turmoil and muted, Rabuka and gang can proceed with their propaganda for the elections without criticism.
Isa, Linda talking about trust after betraying her husband and family multiple times. She should never utter that word. What a hypocrite!
There needs to be an element of trust – Tabuya
MINISTER for Information, Environment and Climate Change, Lynda Tabuya says there needs to be an element of trust between ministers and their permanent secretaries in order for a ministry to function efficiently.
Fiji Labour Party statement
Coalition to control information flow?
The Coalition Government’s recent move to ‘improve’ its mode of communication with the people to counter “disinformation” just 10 months before the general elections, raises questions about its real intent.
“It sounds suspiciously like an attempt to sharpen its propaganda machine and control the information going out to the people, ahead of the elections.
“We can foresee tougher laws being enacted to control social media which is operating freely to fill the vacuum created by a compromised mainstream media,” said Labour Leader Mahendra Chaudhry.
But, the government claims the move will improve communication with the people to better inform them of State services, to build trust, to curb dissemination of false information etc in a transparent manner.
In terms of trust: the Coalition lost the people’s trust many moons ago. It promised a lot but delivered next to nothing.
It promised to lower the cost of living but increased it by pushing Vat from 9% to 15%.
It hiked MP’s pays and allowances by as much as 165%, without raising the minimum wage of $5 fixed by the Fiji First government. The promise was to reduce Ministerial salaries by 30%!
It said it was going to clean up corruption but turned out to be the most corrupt of all governments.
It said it was going to cut wasteful expenditure but threw away millions in inquiries and investigations by not actioning their reports. Not to mention the millions spent on fighting court cases between the different arms of the government.
It deceived Ba mill area cane farmers by not compensating them for the 84,000 tonnes of stand over cane despite promising that ‘every stick of cane will be harvested’.
This latest communications move has to be seen as an attempt to control/manage news that goes out to the public, and withhold damaging news.
“The social media brings to public attention many of the scams and corrupt deals and practices that would go unreported otherwise,” said Labour Leader Mahendra Chaudhry.
“Harsh laws to control it will backfire on the government,” he warned.
Also of concern is the call by Information Minister Tabuya for closer media collaboration and support in “putting out truthful and efficient information to the public”.
“This is a shocking remark. The media must maintain its independence from government control in any form or manner,” said Mr Chaudhry.
The Coalition has no business directing the media how to disseminate government news. This will be interference with media independence no matter how glibly government may try to camouflage it with fancy language.
The Media cannot become part of the Coalition’s propaganda machine.
It says a lot about how the donors are controlling the Pacific governments for a few pieces of silver.
It seems to be the modus operandi for the development partners which are at pains to appease Trump and his China paranoia. Albanese has already made Australia the US sheriff in the Pacific. And in turn he is doing the same with the Pacific states.
It also speaks volumes about beggar nations like Fiji which are desperately giving up their sovereignty. Of course in this instance it aligns with its agenda in the lead up to the elections.
Perhaps Fiji and the Pacific should take a leaf out of Vanuatu’s book which is standing up to US as it is being bullied into withdrawing the UN Security Council resolution on the ICJ. Of course that is a far cry for Rabuka who has established notoriety for his backflips and inconsistencies.
Can’t the British High Commission see that? Where is their normal mantra of good governance which used to be a primary criteria for aid.
Shame on the British High Commission for compromising its rich tradition and stand on rights and the rule of law.
The Coalition already control the narrative. Even though, they still manage to look foolish on a daily basis.
Perhaps they need this new bible to help them up their skills in narrative control.
The poms deserve long loaf and the muslim brotherhood – both separately of course.