Dawn Gibson
SUVA (The Fiji Times / Pacific Media Watch): Journalists in Fiji have been commended by National Federation Party (NFP) leader Professor Biman Prasad at the party's committee meeting in suburban Tamavua at the weekend, when he said he understood media restrictions placed on journalists in the country.
"I commend our journalists who, in spite of these harsh restrictions, are doing their best to keep our citizens informed. To these journalists, let me say a big vinaka vakalevu," Professor Prasad said.
"The stakes have rarely been higher and weight on your shoulders so heavy. The nation owes you its profound gratitude as you take real risks to help project our messages to Fiji citizens."
When announcing some of the party's policies in Tamavua, he said if elected, the NFP would review the Media Decree.
He appealed to media organisations in the country to strive to provide productive working environments.
"I call upon media organisations and editors to provide the right environment for their reporters so that they can do their jobs responsibly. I make special mention of the media because of its important role in the transition to democracy.
"To paraphrase a message from a regional media and elections training program, freedom is when people can speak. Democracy is when government listens and the media is the messenger.
"Our citizens, our media, our businesses, our NGOs should have a fundamental right to access information regarding government decisions and actions that affect their lives."
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Pacific Media Watch
