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The deputy general secretary of Fiji’s Methodist Church says the government is allowing the Methodists’ conference to proceed this year – but only for one day. Reverend Tevita Banivanua said for the past two years the government has prohibited the gathering under the Public Emergency Regulations.
He said while the church is grateful for permission to meet this August, it usually takes up to a week and a half to get through conference business.
Reports from Fiji also confirm that prime minister, Frank Bainimarama, has no plan to lift strict media censorship laws imposed two years ago. In January he told FBC News that the rules are intended to stop those, especially dirty politicians, who seek to jeopardise the work of government.
The regulations were implemented in April 2009 and were to have been lifted last year with the introduction of a media decree. Fiji attorney-general, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, said they’ll obviously have to be lifted – but not yet. Public Emergency Regulations won’t be lifted until all media organisations are appreciative of the reforms taking place in Fiji.
“There are a number of issues. We’re going through a reform period and it does require a particular path to take. It also requires that we have media organisations that are appreciative of the reforms taking place. There are a couple of media organisations that aren’t.”
Obtaining news about Fiji has been made more difficult because it is not possible to get online access to the Fiji Times. The following notice is posted on the website “The Fiji Times Online is currently undergoing technical restructure. Services will be suspended until further notice. We apologise for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience.”
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News category: Asia Pacific.
