SENSATIONALIST media coverage of high-profile courtroom thefts has overshadowed a far more damaging administrative crisis within Fiji’s judicial system, says former Tonga Chief Justice and Fiji High Court Judge Michael Scott.
Speaking at the Fiji Law Society Annual Convention in Nadi, Mr Scott highlighted the contrast between public fascination over the theft of millions of dollars worth of cocaine from the High Court exhibit room, which was replaced with bags of flour and the complete media indifference toward systemic judicial backlogs.
While acknowledging that court exhibit thefts are serious criminal matters, Scott argued that they represent localised administrative incompetence rather than constitutional threats. Mr Scott highlighted his frustration that crucial news reports detailing massive case delays receive minimal coverage while sensational crime stories dominate front pages for weeks.
“The front page is basically another episode of a story of some rather cunning common thieves who took advantage of the all too typical administrative incompetence that we all know about.
“Although serious and sensational, it raises no issues of constitutional importance, no issues of fundamental human rights violations …”
