Fiji citizens have lodged a complaint with the Media Industry Development Authority over an FBC TV programme despite its producer Nemani Bainivalu issuing an apology for hurting the sentiments of some indigenous people.
Complaint has been lodged with Media Industry Development Authority Photo: FBC/Twitter
Mr Bainivalu said in his show Wasea Bhasha, he did not mean to be deliberately malicious against any individual or any group.
The individuals lodged the complaint after the head of Media Industry Development Authority Ashwin Raj said it would launch an investigation into an alleged breach of the Media Decree if an official complaint was made.
One of the complainants has told Fiji One that they don't see why FBC should escape scrutiny while other media organisations are being taken to task for failing to comply with the decree.
The FBC's chief executive Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum is quoted as saying any suggestion of incitement is not correct.
The latest incident involving the FBC comes as an article writer as well as senior Fiji Times staff are being tried over an article that allegedly incited communal antagonism.
Those charged face a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment.
Two years ago, the Media Industry Development Authority investigated FBC's breach of the electoral decree when the FBC ignored a regime ban on political advertising the day before the election.
The outcome of the probe is not known but FBC editors or owners risk a five-year jail sentence for the breach.
Ashwin Raj, chair of Fiji's media authority MIDA Photo: RNZ / Republika
