Roneel Lal
SUVA: The Fiji Media Industry Development Authority is now looking into the ownership of the Fijilive news website to ascertain if it is in breach of the Media Decree, reports a rival news website.
Fijivillage.com has received confirmation that the registered owner and founder of the website, Yashwant Goundar, has been overseas for more than a year now and under the Media Decree 2010 [imposed by the military-backed regime in September 2010], it is a mandatory requirement that the owner or owners of any media outlet lives in Fiji for at least six months of the year.
The chairman of the authority, Professor Subramani, confirmed to Fijivillage that MIDA was now trying to make enquiries into the ownership issue of the news website and was gathering all necessary information.
Professor Subramani said a meeting was scheduled for this Saturday with media stakeholders when the issue of Fijilive's ownership is also expected to be brought up for discussion.
Senior management of Fijilive could not be reached for a comment.
* [PMW editor's comment: This report about Fijilive by Fijivillage.com is focused on the chief web rival of Fijivillage.com's owners, Communications Fiji Ltd., the largest radio broadcaster in Fiji.] - Fijivillage.com/Pacific Media Watch
Pacific Media Watch
