Accountability applies to everyone-Narayan

“Accountability applies to everyone”
 

These were the words of Communications Fiji Limited News Director Vijay Narayan while speaking to about 300 delegates at the 15th Attorney General’s Conference in Natadola today.

The conference includes lawyers, diplomats, NGO representatives and senior government officials.

Narayan said accuracy, balance, fairness and honesty are important for any media organization and CFL which is the parent company of Legend FM, FM96, Viti FM, Navtarang and Radio Sargam always ensures that it follows these principles which are part of the Media Code of Ethics. 

He said at times people only want certain groups to be held accountable by the media. 

Narayan said accountability and transparency applies to everyone including Government, political parties, NGO’s, unions and media organizations.

He said at times CFL has been attacked by certain groups due to the questions asked by the newsroom. 

Narayan said they will continue to ask questions and get the answers that matter to the people of the country. 

Narayan said authorities at times have refused to answer questions but it is not limited to them. 

He said the same goes for political parties, NGO's, unions etc. 

He said at times cheap shots have been taken against CFL where a women's NGO called them a women's NGO basher or unionists saying that they are union busters.

He added that changes need to occur and for everyone to speak to the media and get out of their comfort zone. 

Narayan said accountability applies to everyone.

Vijay Narayan spoke strongly about achieving balance and transparency when dealing with issues.

Narayan said Communications Fiji Limited was the first FM radio station and given the first ever commercial radio license in 1985.

He said it was known as Suva's FM96 and now it is a publicly listed company with 5 national radio stations in Fiji and 3 stations in Papua New Guinea.

Narayan said CFL started in 1985 - only 15 years after Fiji gained independence. 

He said it is not government funded but is proud to be a local company that now covers about 99 percent of the population through investments made on infrastructure and staff. 

He said the company has grown with the country. 

Narayan told the delegates that talk is cheap if people do not allow themselves to be held accountable. 

He said he is ready to clarify anything at anytime about any story that CFL runs - sharing his mobile contact with the delegates if they have any issues. 

Narayan stated that there are challenging and interesting times ahead and democracy is not just about building up to the 2014 elections but he hopes that it will continue for many years.

He said CFL is awaiting the promulgation of the new electoral laws, the Freedom of Information law and the setting up of the Accountability and Transparency Commission - and the CFL stations are ready to deliver the best coverage for the people of the country. 

He also said that the main issue about the role of the media in a constitutional democracy is about people. 

Narayan said people need to understand what democracy is in simple terms to ensure that there is no confusion. 

He gave an example of the term secular state where there are different interpretations by some delegates in the conference.

Narayan said people can make fancy presentations with fancy language but the question is whether everyone in the country understands what is happening and how does it affect them.