A 32-year-old convicted of making derogatory and harmful comments about Minister for Information Lynda Tabuya during a live TikTok broadcast has had his eight-month jail term suspended for two years.
Lui Bale Vuibureta pleaded guilty to one count of causing harm by posting an electronic communication, an offence committed on September 14, 2025.
Court transcripts stated the father of two went live on TikTok using a public account, where he directed a stream of vulgar, degrading and sexually explicit insults at Ms Tabuya, accusing her of sleeping with married men and repeatedly referring to her in offensive sexual terms, including calling her a “home wrecker”.
The video was later shared on a Facebook group known as ChatFiji, which had about 41,200 members, significantly increasing its reach and impact.
The court was told that as a result of this, Ms Tabuya suffered serious emotional distress, including uncontrollable crying, loss of appetite, embarrassment, and withdrawal from public engagement.
In assessing the nature and seriousness of the offending, Justice Daniel Goundar said the fact that the victim was a public figure and targeted in a way that attacked her reputation and dignity made the offence particularly serious.
He noted that in the Fijian context, public humiliation and sexualised insults carried significant social stigma.
In mitigation, Vuibureta, who has been in custody for 50 days, expressed remorse, acknowledging the shame his actions brought upon himself and his family, and said he had attempted to pursue a traditional apology process.
Justice Goundar said the conviction and sentence should make it clear that online platforms are not a licence to abuse, degrade or humiliate others, and that words shared with large audiences carried real consequences.
“You now have the chance to show that this was an isolated lapse in judgment, to give effect to the remorse you have expressed, and to demonstrate responsible online behaviour to your family and community,” said Justice Goundar yesterday.
Vuibureta has also been ordered to pay a fine of $1000 within one month, in default of three months’ imprisonment.
