SUVA (Radio NZ International/Pacific Media Watch): The coordinator of a political group, the United Front for a Democratic Fij (UFDF)i, says the country's media is still running endless amounts of government spin unquestioned.
In a story run by the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation (FBC), the Prime Minister, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, was reported as telling military officers to not be swayed by the lies, deceit and dishonesty of politicians, and advising the soldiers to not be swayed by old and dirty politicians.
Mick Beddoes of the UFDF says the story was run unquestioned with no right of reply, which shows a media bias in favour of the government, which is running a campaign of attacks against the opposition.
"Anyone that has any doubt or tends to suggest that we have a free, independent and fair media is fooling themselves. Even the statements that they print, which according to their own decree [are] supposed to be balanced and fair, and should reflect the views of all sides; it's never done. And we have tonnes of examples."
Mick Beddoes says he doesn't expect any change in coverage in the lead-up to the election.
Banimarama warns against 'lies'
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Pacific Media Watch
