23 Nov 2016

No surprise in Fiji's FBC ruling, says complainant

3:07 pm on 23 November 2016

The main complainant in a case against the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation says he is disappointed but not surprised that no charges will be laid against the national broadcaster.

Peter Waqavonovono filed a police complaint last month accusing FBC TV of inciting communal antagonism when it aired racist content on its Wasea Bhasha language programme.

However the Director of Public Prosecutions Christopher Pryde said there was insufficient evidence to move the matter forward.

He said a broadcast must do more than simply insult or cause offence to people.

Mr Waqavonovono said such decisions were the reason why many Fijians were disillusioned with the police and the judiciary in Fiji.

"We now wait for MIDA and also for the Fiji Human Rights Commission to actually make a determination also. Because we also complained to them. But then there is a overwhelming feeling of dissapproval for the system right now a lot of people in the country feel that the system is built to protect only the elite and the government."

Several other people had also taken issue with the Wasea Bhasha programme last month and reported the FBC to the Media Industry Development Authority.

The FBC at the time apologised for the broadcast and its CEO Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum then sacked the programme producer Nemani Bainivalu.

The Media Industry Development Authority has also been investigating the complaint but is yet to release its findings.

Fiji Broadcasting Corporation apologises for comments after social media complaints

Fiji Broadcasting Corporation apologises for comments after social media complaints Photo: FBC TV Facebook

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