wfn.org | WACC Statement on Censorship in Fiji

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

World Association for Christian Communication Statement from Dennis 
Smith, WACC President and  Randy Naylor, WACC General Secretary.

In the face of the worsening situation in Fiji, where media are being 
censored and journalists deported, WACC expresses solidarity with the 
island nation's people and especially with WACC members.

Fiji's military government declared a 30-day state of emergency on 10 
April under which local news reports critical of the government were 
banned and international media coverage subjected to censorship.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), in a statement issued by 
Deputy Director Robert Mahoney (13 April 2009), said that, 'The 
introduction of blanket censorship during the emergency calls the 
government's commitment to restoring democracy into serious doubt. 
The authorities must remove censors from newsrooms, lift 
restrictions, free detained journalists, and halt the expulsion of 
foreign reporters immediately.'

Reporters Without Borders has also stated that 'The military 
government is heading dangerously towards a Burmese-style system in 
which the media are permanently subject to prior censorship and other 
forms of obstruction.'

The Pacific Freedom Forum, with active members among journalists, 
editors, producers and journalism academics, will soon be launching 
an online petition for individuals and organisations worldwide to 
express continuing strong solidarity with journalists and media 
organisations in Fiji. The petition will be presented to relevant 
Pacific leaders on World Press Freedom Day, 3 May.

Women's groups in Fiji are asking for international support and 
solidarity to protect media personnel, civilians, and to ensure the 
resumption of normal media operations. WACC member femLINKPACIFIC is 
subject to the directives issued under the Public Emergency 
Regulations 2009 which require all media organisations to comply with 
the new regulations and to refrain from broadcasting or publishing 
any news item that is negative in nature or which undermines the Government.

WACC's worldwide programme of activities includes a focus on 
communication rights, democratization of the media, and media and 
gender justice. WACC calls on churches and opinion leaders to express 
concern for the citizens of Fiji in their struggle to regain freedom 
of expression and the right to communicate their aspirations for 
democracy and peace.

The World Association for Christian Communication is a UK Registered 
Charity (number 296073) and a Company registered in England and Wales 
(number 2082273) with its Registered Office at 71 Lambeth Walk, 
London SE11 6DX. It is an incorporated Charitable Organisation in 
Canada (number 83970 9524 RR0001) with its offices at 308 Main 
Street, Toronto ON, M4C 4X7.

Visit WACC's latest initiative: Centre for Communication Rights
(www.centreforcommunicationrights.org)