Pacific Islands News Association condemns police detention of Fiji journalist
The Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) has strongly condemned actions of the Fiji Police for the detention of Fiji Times journalist, Serafina Silaitoga, on Sunday (10 August).
Ms Silaitoga, a journalist based at the newspaper's bureau on the northern town of Labasa was forcibly taken into police custody and interrogated for an article she wrote in the newspaper last week, where a businessman openly challenged the interim finance minister to clear the air on claims that he had been ordered to vacate his cabinet post.
PINA President Joseph Ealedona says the situation in Fiji appears to be getting out of control and urges the country's interim administration to allow the media to perform its duty without intimidation and fear.
"The detention of the female journalist goes against the commitment of media freedom by the interim government in Fiji. PINA now calls for a concerted and collaborative effort from regional leaders to demand that Fiji respects its promise to establish a democratic and legal regime in the country."
"This is getting out of hand and the Fiji Media Council supported by the people of Fiji need to stand united against any threats to freedom of expression and rule of law. The interim government needs to respect the rights of its people."
PINA will write to the Chairman of the Pacific Islands Forum to express its concerns and seek a commitment at the highest level of decision making process in the region to impress upon members to respect media freedom.
"These actions are clearly undermining the Forum's efforts to assist Fiji return to democratic rule, Mr Ealedona said.
PINA has urged its membership to act responsibly and ethically. They cannot perform their role if there is continuous intimidation and threats to the profession.
"While PINA respects the sovereignty of governments in the region, it will stand up to any serious attempt to undermine freedom of the media and free speech. At the same time, we urge our members to exercise prudent and ethical responsibility when reporting on issues.
At its Board teleconference last week, the regional media body agreed to improve the administration and management of its media freedom advocacy role to effectively address in a timely and accurate manner threats against media freedom and freedom of speech.
Joseph Ealedona
President
