Fiji's interim government has introduced a new decree offering legal immunity to the media when reporting statements by the regime.
The State Proceedings Amendment Decree provides that no media organisation can be held liable for publishing statements by interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama or his ministers.
The government says the decree is consistent with parliamentary privilege in other countries but goes further by protecting media organisations.
It says the law is intended to facilitate open and frank discussion between the government, the public and stakeholders in the lead up to Fiji's parliamentary elections.
It says the decree will expire when a new parliament is convened.
