Elenoa Osborne
Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama has hit out at media reports citing rumours of his death - saying many overseas reporters were so intent on spreading negative news on Fiji they do not let the truth get in the way of a good story.
Speaking to FBC News from China, Bainimarama was particularly scathing of certain New Zealand media who he says are assisting the NZ government with their rumour-mongering.
"This report from New Zealand shows how incompetent the reporters are. They should confirm the story first before they put it out in the media. If they say it was from the military they should of course quote who from the military is telling them this. It's a good excuse to say it came from the military but it just shows how incompetent the Kiwi media is."
Bainimarama also told FBC News that he will not be back in time to deliver the 2011 National Budget address.
The budget announcement he says will now be done by the Attorney General and Acting Minister for Finance Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.- Radio Fiji/Pacific Media Watch