Is the Australian Government using News Limited as a tool to punish Fiji and cripple our economy?

That is the question being raised by the Permanent Secretary for Information Sharon Smith Johns who has alleged that News Limited, which owns the Fiji Times, continues to wage a hostile media campaign against Fiji, this time directly targeting the nation's tourism industry and economy.

Smith Johns was responding to articles on Fiji published recently in News Ltd owned newspapers and said in recent weeks, News Ltd newspapers have published numerous articles on Fiji, all of which perpetrate negativity about Fiji.

Smith Johns said these stories are so unbalanced it boils down to nothing but propaganda and that they have embarked on a campaign to manipulate the facts and news to hurt the people of Fiji but they are also taking action through the proper channels and using whatever means is at our disposal.

She confirmed that the Ministry has written formal letters of complaint about these inaccurate reports, which have been copied to the relevant bodies for their necessary action.

Smith Johns said in one article titled "Australian tourists turn a blind eye as Fiji's best people are persecuted", the Courier Mail which is a News Ltd paper reported "It should be a source of profound shame to our country that Australians are going on holidays to Fiji in record numbers".

Smith Johns said News Ltd is advising Australians not to come to Fiji but their message for Australians is - don't read News Ltd newspapers!

The Permanent Secretary for Information, who is an Australian, challenged the media company to provide evidence that what is currently happening in Fiji is comparable to "South Africa's dark ages".


Story by: Roneel Lal