Frederica Elbourne
SUVA (Fiji Times / Pacific Media Watch): The period of censorship which governed the local media until recently united reporters and journalists around the country who were forced to adapt to enforced restrictions, The Fiji Times editor-in-chief Fred Wesley said yesterday.
In his address to reporters, Wesley hailed journalists of the newspaper for their dedication, passion and commitment to remain with the newspaper during the term of censorship.
"No one wants censorship. It's demoralising, disheartening and not something we want to have here. I'm thankful we have experienced that together.
"We have the freedom to operate with the Public Emergency Regulations now lifted. We are now guided by the Media Decree.
"And for us, it's all systems go. However, we remain mindful of how we go about writing stories which we publish.
"We've come off a difficult period but with the core of the newsroom being very young, the best is yet to come."
Wesley said freedom of the press meant the ability to report freely, independently and without fear of persecution.
"It's a day to acknowledge the efforts of journalists in the print media, television, radio and the internet as well as those that support our news sources," he said.
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Pacific Media Watch
