Update: 2:29PM THE Media Industry Authority has deemed the controversial episodes of Fiji Broadcasting Corporation television program “Wasea Basha” as not “explicit racism.”
This was in response to a complaint lodged to MIDA by a group of citizens who said particular episodes of the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation (FBC) program was “tantamount to racism” and promoted stereotypes of the itaukei people.
Releasing MIDA’s determination on the issue today, Chairperson Ashwin Raj said the content of the episode of the program was generalised and the comments made were not against the public or national interest or had any effect in creating communal discord.
“There was no overt call to violence. A close examination of the program shows that there is no pattern of hostility towards any community.”
“The journalist has offered a public apology in all of the three major languages admitting negligence on his part as the producer and presenter of the program,” he said.
He adds the issue would not be referred to the Media Tribunal.
