The Fiji Media Council was announced this morning by Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica at The Fiji Times headquarters, Suva. The members are Agatha Ferei Furivai, Arshad Daud, Inoke Bainimarama, Laisa Bale, Marc McElrath, Naina Ragigia and Shirleen Sahai.
Deputy PM Mr Kamikamica said the formation of the council after a lapse of 14 years was “a historic day for Fiji”.
He said the Coalition Government made good on its promise to repeal the Media Industry Development Act in April this year in a bid to reinstate media freedom and pave the way for a more dynamic, accountable and independent media industry in Fiji.
Mr Kamikamica said the FMC was made up of a diverse group of people who were experts in their respective fields “who are committed to upholding the highest journalistic standards, defending media independence and freedom, and proactively addressing public concerns.”
Interim chair for the council, Agatha Ferei Furivai, a member of the last council which was arbritarily disbanded in 2009, thanked all media companies in Fiji for keeping their doors open despite the challenges they faced over the years.
“I also pay tribute to all journalists that have died and that have suffered during the process of trying to keep up the work of reporting and bringing information to members of the public,” she said.
Fiji Media Association general secretary Stanley Simpson said the announcement of the council was a huge step forward for the media industry in the country.
He said many people did not fully appreciate “the devastating damage and the effects of last 15 years”.
“It became not just a matter of raising quality and standards, it became really a matter of survival for many media organisations,” he said in reference to the challenges the media industry faced under the FijiFirst Government.
