The Interim Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama this afternoon attacked the media on the recent coverage of stories regarding the interim government.
Bainimarama questioned the journalism ethics that these media organizations have and asked where the media council presence was in all of this.
In reply, the Chairman of the Fiji Media Council said the Interim Prime Minister does not understand the role of the Council.
Daryl Tarte adds there is a procedure to follow with regards to complaints about the media.
The Commodore went on to urge the media to think about the nation irrespective of the poor pay they receive.
Fiji Times Editor In Chief Netani Rika said the media thinks about the nation every day.
Communications Fiji Limited Managing Director, William Parkinson supports the call by Bainimarama for the media to cover both sides of the story.
At the press conference, Bainimarama also defended the work of Fiji Independent Corruption against Corruption.
Bainimarama has made allegations that some lawyers and journalists who are connected with people charged by FICAC are trying to give negative comments about FICAC.
He also said Ratu Tuakitau Cokonauto and members of his GCC review committee have no power to dictate to the interim government on what they want regarding the new look GCC.
Bainimarama said they were only tasked to recommend the changes, but it is up to the interim government on whether to accept it or not.
Commodore Bainimarama clarified the GCC was created by the Colonial government and the Minister for Fijian Affairs used to Chair the GCC and its nothing new.
On the level of critism against him, as a commoner, Bainimarama said Sitiveni Rabuka and Naibuka Navunisaravi were both commoners as well.
In a press statement released, Interim Finance Minister Mahendra Chaudhry said the newspaper reports including those under the bylines by Netani Rika and Robert Matau of the Fiji Times published yesterday are defamatory.
Chaudhry adds he has instructed his lawyers to file papers tomorrow to sue The Fiji Times for defamation whereby in court The Fiji Times will have to prove the truth of their statements.
The Interim Finance Minister also said he has instructed his lawyers to also include the reports of Victor Lal published in the Fiji Sun.
Chaudhry states he will not make any further statements regarding this issue as whatever is to be said must now be said in a court of law.
Meanwhile, the Fiji Human Rights Commission have advised Chaudhry on what to do as well.
Chairperson Dr Shaista Shameem said he has a good case against the newspapers.
However, Editor in Chief, Netani Rika had earlier said they stand
Interim PM attacks Media
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