AUCKLAND: A rumour about Fiji’s Prime Minister and military ruler, Voreqe ‘Frank’ Bainimarama, has caused some embarrassment to New Zealand media for being too hasty.
Yesterday, at 11:24am, Alison Jones from Newstalk ZB’s Christchurch Morning Talk Show posted a Facebook and Twitter comment that caused ripples of rumours around the country.
“Just heard that Bainimarama has died overnight, coronary in China - am just verifying but it came to me from a family member of one of the very senior officials in the Fijian Govt - Stand by folks.....”
This message was posted on the Ali Jones Morning Talk Show profile on Facebook and linked to the AliJones2 identity on Twitter.
Shortly afterwards, the New Zealand Herald posted a short article online saying that there were rumours Bainimarama had died overnight in China. The article also said that there had been rumours before and that nothing had been confirmed.
The New Zealand Herald article has since been taken offline.
Then the AliJones2 account posted a follow-up comment: “Bainimarama update - my contact sez he hearing death of Cmdore B mite not be true bt there r rumblings in the Govt & a change is coming.”
Rumours evaporated
With that posting, rumours were almost totally evaporated. The tone was very similar to postings on some Fijian blogs and other overseas news outlets desiring change in Fiji.
However, the story follows earlier postings on prominent Fijian blogs alleging that Bainimarama had collapsed at the airport before leaving for China on November 13. Last week, Coup Four and a Half and Fiji Coup 2006 both reported on the alleged event, maintaining the argument that Bainimarama had been rushed to China after chest pains, and was not visiting for trade talks, as reported in the media.
On Tuesday, Victor Lal at Coup Four and a Half reported that Bainimarama was very sick and receiving care in Shanghai, and also predicted that he would not return to Suva in time for the 2011 National Budget address.
Lal’s source was reportedly a Chinese Embassy official in Suva who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
“As we reported earlier, the dictator collapsed at the Nadi airport on his way to China,” Lal said.
“The pro-regime newspapers and other media outlets, have been quoting the dictator’s statements which, the Chinese official claims emanated from Fiji.”
The blog, which is openly against the regime, is often full of unsubstantiated claims, as this was no different.
On September 2 and 4 this year, the blog ran stories that Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum had been sacked by the Military Council, which time has since proved erroneous.
New Zealand blogger and former academic of the University of the South Pacific in Suva, Crosbie Walsh, slammed Lal's report as "sloppy."
Writing on his blog Fiji: The Way it Was, Is and Can Be, Walsh wrote, "If Victor really wrote this article, his English has deteriorated."
Walsh went on to write that the blogs are not to be trusted.
"I do not believe them," he wrote. "They have cried wolf too many times."
However, despite blaming the blogs, Walsh quoted an email he received from Fiji assuring the rumours were untrue and saying that "The rumours are coming out of NZ."
TVNZ clear the air
By 1:17pm yesterday, TVNZ reported that Bainimarama was alive and well, despite the rumours.
“Tagata Pasifika's Adrian Stevanon spoke to Bainimarama this afternoon,” said the report.
“Stevanon said Bainimarama was surprised by the rumours and hoped they had not been printed.”
Shortly afterward, Michael Field, writing for Stuff.co.nz reported that Bainimarama had fronted the media in China and joked about the rumours.
"Good morning from China. I know I am still alive,” Bainimarama was reported as saying.
“I know there's been some stories from New Zealand that I've suffered a heart attack and died."
Then the ruler went on to joke about the Rugby World Cup.
"I think they probably heard that I was going to play in the World Cup next year and they are pretty scared - so they came up with these rumours hoping that something happens to me so I don't turn up for the World Cup," he said.
‘Incompetent’ Kiwi media
Today on Fiji Broadcasting Corporation’s website, Bainimarama was quoted attacking the media in New Zealand.
"This report from New Zealand shows how incompetent the reporters are,” he said.
“They should confirm the story first before they put it out in the media.
“It’s a good excuse to say it came from the military but it just shows how incompetent the Kiwi media is."
Yet the article also stated that Bainimarama would not return for the Budget address and that Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum would deliver it instead.
Field reported that Bainimarama is known to have a heart condition, and that he has been barred from visiting Wellington for treatment.
Alex Perrottet
