Fiji TV has been asked by FBC chief executive Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum to retract a story which he says wrongly portrays him calling social media commentators in Fiji "idiots."
In an email to the Fiji TV management, Mr Sayed-Khaiyum accuses a Fiji TV reporter of misrepresenting his comment, "I would rather not comment about idiots," during a news conference on Friday.
"Well I'd rather not comment about idiots." -CEO of @FBC_TV & Exec Producer of Wasea Bhasha when responding to criticism. #Fijipol #Fiji pic.twitter.com/DOtv6zuw8C
— Fiji Yth 4 Democracy (@FijiYouth) November 5, 2016
He said the comment was a specific response to a specific question about two individuals and a facebook group.
Three police complaints have been filed against Mr Sayed-Khaiyum as a result of the report.
Fiji media speak to,(From Left), Kris Prasad and Ben Daveta, recent complainants against FBC ceo Riyaz Saiyad-Khaiyum. Photo: Courtesy @FijiYouth twitter pic
The FBC chief executive said portraying his answer as a reference to the wider Fijian public showed a blatant disregard for media ethics.
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said if Fiji TV fails to retract the story and apologise for the harm it has caused him and the FBC, he would take up the matter with the Media Industry Development Authority and consider even further action.
Fiji TV is yet to respond.
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum also took offense with the angle of the report in question which he said began: "Fiji broadcasting CEO Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has bluntly shifted the blame to Nemani Bainivalu the host and producer of the controversial TV show Wasea Bhasha. The state Broadcaster has removed the host in an attempt to put the contentious debacle to rest".
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said this was again mis-reported as he said he had explained in the news conference that Nemani Bainivalu was sacked after a full investigation into the allegations of racist and stereotypical content which acknowledged writing and presenting on the FBC TV language programme Wasea Bhasha.
A separate police investigation into an official complaint about the content aired on Wasea Bhasha has been completed and is now with the prosecution.
The Media Industry Development Authority said it will complete its own investigation into the incident this week.
