Elenoa Baselala
SUVA: The Fiji Times-Motibhai combination is a formidable one, new chairman and owner Mahendra Motibhai Patel told staff of the newspaper yesterday.
Moved by News Limited chairman and chief executive John Hartigan's farewell speech to staff, Patel welcomed the staff of the Fiji Times by addressing them as "my big family".
Commenting on the buy, which was a complete diversion from his business interests, Patel said his family had been in business for 80 years and it would make a formidable combination with the 141-year-old Fiji Times.
Patel assured all of job security, stressing the importance of teamwork, which had been the backbone of his company's success in the
country.
He assured staff members they would grow with the Fiji Times and the Motibhai Group.
"As a good corporate citizen of the country, the decision to acquire The Fiji Times was not purely for commercial reasons but also as a socio-economic commitment to the country and its people," he said.
"This newspaper now operates as an independent unit under the leadership of Dallas Swinstead, publisher and managing director, a role he has enjoyed with distinction in the past.
"Mr Swinstead returns with a deep respect of Fiji, plus a clear and pragmatic understanding of the role and the values of a good newspaper to its community.
"The group pays tribute to News Limited for leaving behind trained and dedicated staff in a high-quality operation that will enable us to serve this country through its premier newspaper, The Fiji Times.
"Since the announcement of the sale, we have received numerous congratulations on our acquisition, both locally and internationally, and we are well aware of the heavy responsibility we carry to deliver the newspaper to truly live up to the adage "the day is not complete until you have read The Fiji Times"," Patel said. - The Fiji Times/Pacific Media Watch
Pacific Media Watch
