Praneeta Prakash
SUVA (Fijivillage.com / Pacific Media Watch): Fiji Times Limited, which had pleaded guilty to a charge of breaching the Media Industry Development Decree, has been ordered to pay a $5000 fine by the Suva Magistrates Court.
The fine is to be paid within 28 days.
Magistrate Sufia Hamza said that managing director Mahendra Patel went to Australia in 2011 and did not return, which led to the breach of the decree.
She said the fine was to reflect the seriousness of the offence.
The matter has been adjourned to June 28 for a review.
Under the decree, Fiji citizens permanently residing in Fiji means a person residing in the country for three out of the last seven years prior to registration of the media company and thereafter residing in Fiji for at least six out of 12 months of a year.
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Pacific Media Watch
