Police raid and threats against journalists under fire
Title -- 3627 FIJI: Police raid and threats against journalists under fire
Date -- 23 April 2002
Byline -- None
Origin -- Pacific Media Watch
Source -- PMW/Fiji Times/Daily Post, 23/4/2
Copyright -- PMW
Status -- Unabridged
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POLICE RAID AND THREATS AGAINST JOURNALISTS UNDER FIRE
* See PN3611, PMW3623
SUVA (Pacific Media Watch): A police raid on a journalist's home and a threat of arrest against a senior reporter in the past week have stirred widespread condemnation, according to news reports.
Both journalists threatened in an attempt to force them to reveal their sources are on the staff of the Daily Post, one of Fiji's three national daily newspapers.
The Fiji Times reported on 23 April 2002 that a Fiji Media Council spokesperson had said police should follow procedures when investigating journalists.
Police had searched the home and office of reporter Usman Ali on in the western town of Lautoka on April 14 for documents relating to an article written about Airports Fiji Ltd, the state-owned company managing Nadi and Nausori international airports.
The newspaper quoted Media Council secretary Bob Pratt as saying it was "sad" that matters were handled in such a way.
"If truth be known these are the works of some big-headed people with personal agendas. What you should find out is who gave the orders," Pratt was quoting by the Fiji Times as saying.
In the other incident, reporter Josephine Prasad was threatened with arrest by Criminal Investigation (CID) director Senior Superintendent Emosi Vunisa if she did not reveal her sources about an article citing that Interpol was now involved in attempts to extradite controversial military officer Lieutenant Colonel Filipo Tarakinikini from New York to Fiji.
Tarakinikini had resigned from the military but army authorities want him back in Fiji to face allegations that he was involved in the aborted coup and mutiny during 2000.
The military now regard him as a deserter.
Vunisa had threatened Prasad by telephone, accused her of "causing instability" and ordered her to hand over documents or face a police raid and arrest.
Fiji Media Council chairman Daryl Tarte said police had no right to seize whatever documents Prasad might have in her possession.
He said journalists had the basic right to protect their sources.
Fiji Times editor Samisoni Kakaivalu said the police officer's action was "totally irresponsible".
Sun editor Samisoni Pareti said it was a concern that a police officer had threatened a journalist.
The Fiji Labour Party described the threats as a poor attempt to gag messengers.
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