The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is outraged at the hefty fine and suspended jail sentences imposed on a Fiji newspaper, chief editor and publisher in a contempt of court ruling by Fiji’s High Court.

In a decision delivered today, the court fined The Fiji Times FJ$100,000 (about US$54,000) over its publication in October 2008 of a letter to the editor which criticised a High Court ruling upholding the legality of Fiji’s 2006 military coup.

The newspaper has been given 27 days to pay the fine, according to local media reports.

The paper’s editor in chief, Netani Rika, was reportedly sentenced to three months’ jail, suspended for two years.

Publisher Rex Gardner was discharged on the condition that he enters into a good behaviour bond without surety for 12 months.

The case was pursued despite the newspaper printing a front-page article in early November 2008 admitting responsibility for contempt and offering to pay costs.

Similar charges, also pursued by the Attorney-General’s office, have been laid against the Daily Post for publishing the same letter. The court is set to hear that case in April.

“The IFJ is alarmed that the publication of a letter to the editor has resulted in such a heavy penalty against the newspaper and its editor,” IFJ Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said.

“The court’s decision has serious implications for Fiji’s media and the right to free expression, in an environment where freedom of the press has been sorely tested over the past year.” 

Throughout 2008, various efforts were made by the interim military government of Frank Bainimarama to block critical reporting. The publisher and managing director of the Fiji Sun, Russell Hunter, was deported in February while Fiji Times publisher Evan Hannah was deported in May. New Zealand journalist Barbara Dreaver was refused entry to the country in December, reportedly due to her previous reporting on the regime’s alleged failure to assist a poverty-stricken village.

In such a restrictive environment, the IFJ is concerned about the military government’s proposed new media law, and the failure to engage in wide consultation with media stakeholders for input on the proposal.

The IFJ calls on Fiji’s authorities to recognise that an independent and ethical media requires participation from the public and the right to express opinions and different views. The media should not be constrained by fear mechanisms or punishment for allowing participation in debate. 

For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +612 9333 0919

The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 120 countries worldwide