WELLINGTON (Radio New Zealand / Pacific Media Watch): The director of Fiji's Media Industry Development Authority says he is comfortable that news outlets in the country are producing "impartial, balanced, and fair" reports.
MIDA was established with the issuance of the Media Decree in 2010 with the aim of improving the media's objectivity and discipline.
The United Front for a Democratic Fiji says local media are not complying with the provisions of the decree and often run statements from the regime without seeking the opposition viewpoint.
It says MIDA should act, but the organisation's director Matai Akauola told Bridget Tunnicliffe that so far he is happy with the way the media is conducting itself.
MATAI AKAUOLA: Yes, so far so good. Things are going according to what we felt should be the case here in Fiji. So we haven't taken anyone to task. And that is a positive thing for us.
BRIDGET TUNNICLIFFE: The perception is that the media often report statements by the regime that attack opposition politicians, but they're not given a right to reply. What is your view?
MA: We haven't stopped anyone from airing their views in any of the media, so in the last few years since the media decree we haven't taken anyone to task, so that speaks for itself. With the new constitution in place, we've allowed the media to do everything that they've been mandated to do. We even have clauses in the new constitution that have provisions for free media in Fiji. So for us everything is open to media the way we see it at the moment.
BT: But it's what they're not doing that people are concerned about. They're concerned about the fact that the media aren't going to opposition MPs or other candidates when statements are made by the regime.
MA: Well, I cannot speak to that, but the politicians need to take their case to all those media, not to us. And we are not restricting anyone.
BT: It's not about restriction. It's a case of are the media going to opposition MPs and asking for their opinion?
MA: Well, that's why I said for you to talk to those media organisations. It's not us. We haven't put down a blanket restriction on them. We're just saying, "The constitution is there, it's open. There's free media. You can do whatever you like. So go for it."
Full Radio NZ International interview
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