28 Mar 2012

Fiji regime leader calls for more investment in journalists

10:40 am on 28 March 2012

Fiji's interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama has told a gathering of media professionals and journalists there needs to be more investment in reporters and editors.

He says there has never been great investment in Pacific media but there needs to be.

Commodore Bainimarama's comments came in a speech to launch a summit in Fiji of the Pacific Islands News Association.

The regime leader says journalists and editors have considerable responsibility as the country starts consultations on a new constitution and plans the 2014 elections.

He stressed the importance of independence saying some journalists have latched on to the cry of democracy, only to be really supporting governance that did not offer equality in the voting system.

The leader described journalism as a noble occupation, which entailed responsibilities of fairness, balance and understanding.