Fiji's interim Government has hit out at what it has labeled negative comments by one media outlet on the eve of consultations on the draft media decree.
The interim regime has said once a media decree is in place, it will lift the emergency provisions, including the media censorship, which has been in place for almost a year.
Fiji Village reports a newspaper advertisement on the draft media decree said copies of the draft would be given to stakeholders at 8am on the day of consultation, the consultations begin 2 and a half hours later.
The Fiji Times Managing Director Anne Fussel has called for a reasonable amount of time for careful scrutiny of the draft and informed feedback.
She says the decree could impact potential investment and on revenue streams which flow on to the Fiji community through areas like income tax and VAT.
The interim attorney general says, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, says all of a sudden, after months of negative publicity on the government, The Fiji Times is now concerned with the impacts of the decree on the economy.
Mr Sayed Khaiyum says they have given ample time for the consultations.
He has confirmed the Fiji Times will be allowed to participate.
