Ritika Pratap
SUVA (Fiji Broadcasting Corporation / Pacific Media Watch): The Fiji High Court has granted leave to Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum to initiate proceedings for contempt of court against the Fiji Times Limited, the Fiji Times editor Fred Wesley, and the Fiji Times publisher Brian O’Flaherty.
Legal action is being taken against the article, “FIFA probes Doc,” which appeared in the Fiji Times on Monday, 7 November, 2011 and was originally published in the Sunday Star Times by journalist Simon Plumb.
Statements in the article questioned the existence of a judiciary in Fiji, potentially undermining the public’s confidence in the administration of justice, and potentially damaging the integrity of the enforcement of justice.
This is the second time that contempt proceedings have been initiated against the Fiji Times Limited, its editors and publishers.
In 2008, when contempt of proceedings were brought against Fiji Times Limited, the then-editor, and the then-publisher, were found guilty.
The case will be called next in the High Court on November 28.
(cc) Creative Commons
Pacific Media Watch
