Samisoni Pareti. Photo: twitter
A director of the Fiji publication Islands Business, who was taken in by police for questioning on Sunday, says he was questioned in connection with Fiji's public order laws.
Netani Rika said he was picked up by three detectives from his Suva home on Sunday morning for questioning over an article about the recent Air Terminal Services lockout.
The article published online on Friday quoted sources saying the magistrate who found in favour of the workers had had his contract terminated.
The publication's managing director, Samisoni Pareti, and journalist Nanise Volau were also taken in by police, questioned and their laptops and phones taken before they were released on Sunday evening.
"I think the issue could have been handled in a different manner but I must say that the police were courteous at all times and afforded us every opportunity for legal representation. I have no complaints about their conduct but I think this is something that has been blown out of proportion,." Mr Rika said.
Mr Rika said he understood questioning may resume at a later date.
He said he was questioned in connection with section 15 of the Public Order Act, which guards against "malicious acts."
"'I've been out of the business for three months now so I really have no idea what is behind this.
"One can speculate that it has to do with an attempt to bring into force perhaps legislation around the use of social media. But yeah, in the situation that we have in Fiji at the moment, it's difficult to know what the intentions of the government are."
Asked if he felt the questioning would have a chilling effect he said he couldn't speak for his peers.
"I can't speak for the rest of the Fiji media and how this affects them, but I believe that Islands Business will press on, regardless."
The Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho told Fiji Village investigations were continuing.
