17 Nov 2016

Fiji media authority urged to reveal FBC TV findings

9:03 am on 17 November 2016

The Fiji media authority is being urged to deliver its findings into complaints about controversial content aired on an FBC TV language programme last month.

MIDA chairman Ashwin Raj had said he expected investigations into the Wasea Bhasha saga to be completed last week.

Ashwin Raj, chair of Fiji's media authority MIDA

Ashwin Raj, chair of Fiji's media authority MIDA Photo: RNZI/Republika

But a complainant Peter Waqavonovono said nothing has been forthcoming.

He said the initial delays in launching the investigation, and now in seeing it through to completion, are typical for complaints made by ordinary citizens.

"But when it comes to, when it came to complaints where the government made the complaint, these different bodies and different agencies they rushed to actually defend government. So it actually begs the question, were these laws made to protect the people or to protect the government?"

Mr Waqavonovono said he is also waiting on the Office of Public Prosecutions to decide on whether it will be taking the FBC to court based on the findings of a police investigation into the matter.

He said if the DPP chooses not to press charges he plans do so himself with the support of other concerned citizens.

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