Accusations in Fiji over 'shutdown' of leaders debate

Transcript

A war of words has erupted in Fiji over the lack of political debates in the final week of campaigning before the election.

The leader of the Fiji Labour Party, Mahendra Chaudhry, has accused the Media Industry Development Authority of shutting down a leaders' debate.

But the authority's chairman, Ashwin Raj, has threatened legal action if no evidence can be provided.

Alex Perrottet reports.

Mahendra Chaudhry says he was approached by media organisations two to three weeks ago, canvassing his interest in a broad leaders' debate with all leaders, to which he responded in the affirmative. He says he hasn't since been approached with any details, with one week to go, and Ashwin Raj and the media authority have a lot to do with it.

MAHENDRA CHAUDHRY: They were told specifically that it was the media authority which was going to organise a debate and the media were not to do it on their own. This was done in a meeting that he had with the editors of the news media.

But Ashwin Raj says Mr Chaudhry had better put up some evidence or he could face legal action.

ASHWIN RAJ: Given the serious nature of these allegations, I have asked that Mr Chaudhry furnish Fijians and the Media Industry Development Authority with credible evidence, concrete evidence.

Mr Chaudhry says he won't say which media organisations originally approached him as he would then expose them, and they will be targeted. But he then went on to accuse them of cowardice.

MAHENDRA CHAUDHRY: It's indeed a shame that the media here is so cowed down. I think they should show more guts and courage and stand up to the media oppression.

Ashwin Raj says the former director of the authority, Matai Akauola, who has now resigned to run as a FijiFirst candidate, had many meetings and discussions with the media, but their content does not constitute official MIDA decisions.

ASHWIN RAJ: If there was a discussion between the then MIDA director and the editors, that is not a formal decision on MIDA. It comes from the chairman of MIDA. That's the first thing. The second issue is, why didn't any of the media approach me? They could have just approached me and of course as the regulatory body, I would have said yes, given the fact that I absolutely believe in robust debate.

The only live debate that is currently organised is a radio debate on FM96 next Sunday between the Sodelpa leader, Ro Teimumu Kepa, and the Prime Minister, Frank Bainimarama. Ro Teimumu pulled out of another radio debate, scheduled for Friday on Fiji Broadcasting Corporation, after the party suspected the questions would be vetted. A member of the party, Dr Tupeni Baba, says they have preferenced FM96 as it will be fair.

TUPENI BABA: That's what we want - no interference in the background as to what questions. Bainimarama's performance, even on the debate on his own constitution, he showed ignorance of certain parts and people are fired because they ask those questions, or allow those questions to be asked.

Ashwin Raj says MIDA will not be organising any debates, and he cannot coerce any leader to join a debate, nor media to hold them.