THE Media Decree will not be reviewed neither repealed anytime soon.
This is after the motion tabled in Parliament yesterday was thrown out by the majority in a vote.
Tabled by Professor Biman Prasad, he said the enforcement of media censorship under Public Emergency Regulations after April 2009 until January 2012 and the promulgation of the Media Industry Development Decree 2010 had seriously undermined media freedom. “Fiji’s future as a social, economic and politically stable nation cannot be guaranteed unless freedom of expression is enshrined through a free, fair and credible media,” Mr Prasad said.
He added they (Opposition) believed that it was “not pessimism but a reality”.
“The media industry in this country has been under siege since the military coup of December 2006. For more than five years, especially after the abrogation of the 1997 Constitution on 10th April 2009, have been turbulent and devastating for the media industry and media organisations.
“The work of the media industry, especially after the start of the coup culture in 1987, has been remarkable, balanced, informative and impartial, except for a brief period after the 1987 coups,” Mr Prasad said.
He said the enforcement of media censorship under Public Emergency Regulations after April 2009 until January 2012 and the promulgation of the Media Industry Development Decree 2010 had seriously undermined media freedom.
“Media throughout the world is generally regarded as the fourth estate – the last line of defenders of democracy, human rights, dignity and justice.”
He said this freedom and right were reposed in the people, which the State and politicians must respect at all times.
“The Media Industry Development Decree is regressive and suppresses media freedom because it imposes restrictions and prescribes heavy penalties.
“This decree must either be repealed or amended substantially because we believe the media should not be regulated by the State or any Government.”
