Tuesday 29^th August, 2006

“KEEP THE MEDIA FREE,” SAYS FWRM

THE FIJI Women’s Rights Movement has expressed concern at the proposed Broadcasting Licensing Bill, which may threaten freedom of the media.  A free media is one of the foundations of democracy, and allows diverse views, including those of women and youth, to be heard by the public and decision-makers. 

Freedom of speech, and of the media, is protected under Section 30 of the Bill of Rights in Fiji’s Constitution.  While there are limits to these freedoms, these limits can be best maintained through effective self-regulation.  This function is carried out by bodies such as the Fiji Media Council, under guidelines such as the Media Council Code of Ethics.  As such, the establishment of an additional regulatory body - the Broadcast Licensing Authority (BLA) - would be unnecessary duplication.  FWRM is concerned by the potential for abuse of power and possible control of the media by BLA as a government-selected regulator, and supports submissions on this by the Fiji Media Council and other media. 

The Movement also supports the submission by women’s community media organisation, fem’LINKpacific.  FWRM shares femLINKpacific’s concerns that the Bill renders women invisible in the decision-making process in this sector, and does not address gender equality as required by Fiji’s ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

FWRM calls on Government to incorporate CEDAW in this, and all other legislation.  The Movement also supports calls for amendments to the Bill, especially concerning the Broadcast Licensing Authority, which poses a potential threat to freedom of expression in Fiji. 

[Ends]

For more information, contact: Tara Chetty (Mobile: 9268342)