The Fiji government said comments by Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith on the Media Industry Development Decree is grossly exaggerated and taken out of context.

Smith told The Australian newspaper that move was another example of the Fiji government impinging on the democratic rights of its people and would also hurt investment in Fiji.

Permanent Secretary for Information Sharon Smith Johns stressed that the Decree was widely discussed and views of all concerned have been taken on board.

She said it is most unfair that both News Limited and the Foreign Affairs Minister of Australia, have been selectively highlighting issues, and in the process sensationalizing them.

Smith-Johns said the Media Decree is huge step forward for the media industry of the country and that for the first time Fiji has a legislation that is all encompassing and it actually empowers the people of Fiji in ensuring that their views are heard.

The Permanent Secretary said the new Decree will have a positive impact on the economy, human rights, good governance and access to accurate information.

Smith-Johns also stressed that there are over 14 media outlets, not including internet and while the Fiji Times claims to be a vital source of independent news, so are the other media outlets.

She said the New Media Decree is similar to Media Legislations in Australia, the United States and Singapore where there is control on foreign owners, cross media ownership, social obligations in terms of content, media codes and complaints authority.

Smith-Johns said this brings to mind the Rupert Murdoch case, where he had to forego his Australian citizenship in order to retain his interest in the United States.

She also said that News Limited's chairman and chief executive John Hartigan's comments that the Media Decree is designed to force them out of the country is absolutely incorrect as the Decree only talks about foreign ownership, and if the Fiji Times wants to continue they must change their ownership.

Smith-Johns said they do not want to see the Fiji Times close and that is simply not the issue.

In a statement this morning, News Limited chairman and chief executive John Hartigan said the closure of the Fiji Times will be the inevitable result of the Media Industry Development Decree which was enforced by the Fiji government yesterday.

Under the Media Decree, all media outlets in Fiji have to be 90 percent locally owned and News Limited, publisher of The Australian and the Fiji Times, and 100% owned by Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation said in a statement that it has been compelled to withdraw from Fiji, as the Decree came into effect yesterday.

However, Hartigan said News Limited will now explore any options it may have to remain involved in the media in Fiji.

He said the move is devastating for the 180 staff of the Fiji Times which has been owned and run by News Limited for the last 23 years.

One of two things is likely to result from this: closure of The Fiji Times or a takeover by a compliant new owner by the end of September.


Story By: Roneel Lal
Hartigan comments from News Limited Statement
Stephen Smith Comments sourced from The Australian