The Fiji Media Council chairman said the media has a role in nation building however this must be free of statutory regulations.
Speaking at the 10th Attorney-General's Conference in Sigatoka yesterday, Daryl Tarte said the media must be free to communicate information without government restraint.
Meanwhile, Deputy Secretary for Information Major Neumi Leweni said while media freedom is guaranteed under the Constitution, it is not an absolute right adding that the Fiji media's self-regulation is considered highly ineffective.
Meanwhile, the head of the Pacific Media Centre in Auckland said he doesn't believe that Fiji's media will be intimidated by authorities, despite a series of crackdowns on the country's media.
David Robie told Radio Australia that Fiji journalists have come to accept working under authoritarian governments and there is a long tradition of free press in Fiji.
His comments follows reports of the interim government seeking jail sentences for the editor and publisher of Fiji Times over contempt of court charges.
Robie said there have been four coups in the country and journalists have been dealing with regimes of one kind or another.
Media Should Be Free Of Govt Restraint
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