Fiji's interim government denies that it wants to shut down the media in Fiji.
Military spokesperson, Major Neumi Leweni, says that the call for the closure of The Fiji Times is indicative of how seriously Government views the need for the media to report with what it calls "greater responsibility".
He says the regime has pleaded with the media industry for better understanding of the interim-government's situation.
Major Leweni says they want the media to help move the nation forward by reporting fairly, accurately and with greater responsibility given that it is dealing with matters of significant national interests.
He says the International Federation of Journalists and its Asia Pacific Director, Jacqueline Park, should rest assured that the media in Fiji will continue to operate with freedom because this is enshrined in the country's Constitution.
The interim Government's position on the media as formally conveyed to the recent Media Review Team sponsored by the Media Council of Fiji is that the interim Government does not seek to control nor gag the media.
