Fred Wesley, Fiji Times acting editor-in-chief
SUVA: It is time to share with our readers where we are and where we plan to go.
Today we stand poised in an ocean of moments, reaching out for the reigns of change so that we may take hold of our own destiny.
Rich in history, we look forward with positive minds, eager to shrug off unwanted perceptions.
For some time now, we have been tagged as a newspaper hell-bent on being a pain in the back of the State. It was an unwanted tag, one that brimmed with negative vibes.
To be seen as anti-government or pro-government are charges that do us no favour as a responsible media organisation.
We would rather be seen as a newspaper that takes no side; simply a newspaper of integrity.
Integrity is regarded as the quality of having an intuitive sense of honesty and truthfulness. Further, it is the opposite of hypocrisy.
We are not a newspaper hell-bent on hurting a government. Our passion is to ensure our readers know we have a sense of fairness about us.
Our charter is to strive for accuracy and balance with the intention to do justice to every story we print and picture we use. We are not anti-government and we are not pro-government.
We are very, very pro-Fiji and living proof of this is our 141-year record as recorders of history in this nation. In short, we are The Fiji Times, neutral and striving to ensure any perception that paints us otherwise is easily washed off.
We will endeavour to make sure our readers see in us a newspaper that is easy to read, has entertaining and educational information and pictures, plus believability and authority.
For the past few months this newspaper has worked under a cloud with the possibility that the unthinkable could happen - Fiji without The Fiji Times. We are now proudly owned in Fiji and our good people are once again doing their best with heads held high.
Together we can do good for this country and we hope to live up to the image that has etched indelible marks on the minds of hundreds of thousands of readers over the past 141 years of our existence.
We are about people, values, honesty, commitment, perseverance and unity which is to say "One People, One Nation".
There comes a time when change is inevitable. It is a breath of fresh air and we are open to new ideas that will ensure we have a place in the lives of every citizen in our beautiful country.
Sleep assured we are firmly committed to helping our country move forward.
Today is the beginning of a new path for The Fiji Times. Today begins the work to be rid of any unwanted perceptions. Today is about ensuring the slogan "Fiji without The Fiji Times is unthinkable" is carved deeply in the hearts and minds of all our readers.
Today, we give you a newspaper that is fair, just, balanced and honest.
Today we give you a newspaper that holds true to the ideals of good journalism. - The Fiji Times/Pacific Media Watch
Pacific Media Watch
