The Fiji Times publisher Dallas Swinstead will be leaving the company at the end of the month.
Announcing his departure, The Fiji Times Limited chairman Mahendra Patel said the company was grateful to Swinstead for his leadership since the Motibhai Group took over ownership from News Limited last September.
“ ... Dallas Swinstead and his wife Judy came to The Fiji Times at the time of acquisition and Dallas brought vast experience and background to enable The Fiji Times to continue to be the premier daily newspaper and live up to the reality - Fiji without The Fiji Times is unthinkable," Patel said.
“We shall always treasure the quality and leadership Dallas Swinstead brought to the paper.
“We wish Dallas and Judy a safe return to Australia and wish them well in the future.”
Confirming his departure, Swinstead said he would return to Australia “with a great feeling of satisfaction and pride at the quality we have achieved, despite sometimes difficult circumstances”.
“I have had five or so exciting months helping to re-enforce The Fiji Times as Fiji's most important newspaper, the newspaper this nation needs and reads. The team of managers I inherited have been tremendously supportive and truly professional, and their enthusiasm and passion has carried over to our 161 employees,” he added.
The appointment of a new publisher will be announced shortly.
News Limited sold The Fiji Times after the government announced the Media Industry Development Decree, which stated foreign investors can only own up to 10 percent of any Fiji-based media organisation. - Fiji Times/Pacnews/Pacific Media Watch
Pacific Media Watch
