The Fiji Trades Union Congress has today raised concern on the State Proceedings Amendment Decree.
National Secretary, Felix Anthony said the decree basically allows the media to print the criticism from the government and gives a wholesale license to make personal and defamatory remarks against their opponents in the lead up to the general elections in 2014.
Anthony said the decree also raises questions on the intent of the government and he asks why it should only protect itself when they have no ulterior motives.
He said if the ministers speak the truth and have evidence, they do not need such a decree.
The FTUC goes on to ask why the general public is not given the same privileges so that open and frank discussion is held on the future of the country.
Meanwhile Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum had earlier told Fijivillage that the decree does not mean that government ministers will go around and start defaming everybody.
The amendment decree gives legal protection to the government ministers to make any public statements from now until the next parliament sits.
Story by: Vijay Narayan
FTUC raises concern over State Proceedings Amendment Decree
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