HARD TRUTHS! Vesikula to Bainimarama: Where are you taking us to? What is the meaning of I-taukei and Fijian which is our rightful name? Who gave you the authority to change that, and to govern Fiji..You have no mandate from the people etc, etc, etc...Of course, truth hurts, and now Bainimarama unleashes his media lapdogs onto Vesikula and Fiji TV, the rival channel to the Khaiyum brothers propaganda FBC TV FIJILEAKS says the real culprit is Frank Bainimarama, the leader of the "Fiji Theft Party" who engaged with Ratu Timoci Vesikula in a frank and forthright discussion at the Tailevu Provincial Council meeting. What is the Fiji state-controlled MIDA telling us, that the contents of the exchanges should have remained hushed up by Fiji TV and other media organisations? Did Bainimarama stop Vesikula from making the so-called "Hate Speech"? COME ON, charge Bainimarama (and Vesikula) but LEAVE FIJI TV alone! Thanks to Fiji TV MIDA's Ashwin Raj knows what Vesikula said to Bainimarama and about the Indo-Fijians in Fiji! Welcome to new Fiji and OLD TAILEVU, Bainimarama! “Please do not vote for me because I’m from Tailevu, but vote for what I’m doing for the nation.” - Bainimarama to Tailevu Provincial Council.
Ashwin Raj MIDA says no to "water and kerosene" hate speech
By Apisalome Rabo
The Fiji Media Industry Development Authority has today ruled that comments made by Tailevu’s Ratu Timoci Vesikula were quote “nothing short of hate speech and in breach of the Bill of Rights provisions in the Fiji Constitution,” unquote.
Therefore MIDA has also ruled that Fiji One News has breached the Media Decree’s code of ethics.
MIDA is now seeking a legal opinion on whether to impose a fine under section 24 of the Media Industry Development Decree which could amount to 25 thousand dollars in the case of an editor or up to 100 thousand dollars for the organisation.
The Chairman says Ratu Timoci Vesikula’s speech also contravened Section 65 of the 2009 Crimes Decree Urging Political Violence or inciting communal violence.
“My decision this morning cannot be construed as an impingement on the freedom of expression or dismissed as yet another instance of gagging media freedom my MIDA as has been insinuated by some who are posturing as the praetorian guard of human rights but sadly very quiet over the issue of hate speech.” said Raj.
Raj also cited Section 66 which relates to seditious intention, to raise discontent or disaffection and to promote feeling of ill-will and hostility between different classes of the population of Fiji.
“Fiji Television in giving unfettered prominence to Ratu Timoci Vesikula’s speech, has failed to comply with SCHEDULE 1 (Section [18 (1)]) Media Code of Ethics and Practice provisions of the 2010 Media Industry Development Decree.” said Raj.
Further on, he Raj explained that while section 17 of the Constitution guaranteed free speech, it is limited – also coming with responsibilities…
Quoting 17(2) of the 2013 Constitution, Raj said:
17(2) crucially proscribe the following:
Freedom of speech, expression and thought, opinion and publication does not protect
(a) Advocacy of hatred that-
i) Is based on any prohibited ground of discrimination listed or prescribed under section 26: and
ii) Constitutes incitement to cause harm
And imperative in preserving:
17 (3) to the extent that this is necessary, a law may limit or may authorize the limitation of, the rights and freedoms mentioned in subsection (1) in the interest of –
(a) National security, public safety, public order, public morality, public health or the orderly conduct of elections:
(b) The protection or maintenance of the reputation, privacy, dignity, rights or freedoms or other persons, including the right to be free from hate speech, whether directed against individuals or groups
He adds that while media organization are free to report and comment on all matters of public interest, it is their duty not to publish or broadcast material in a form likely to promote or encourage communal hatred or discord.
“While MIDA recognizes that it remains Government’s prerogative to execute legal proceedings against Ratu Timoci Vesikula for inciting hatred and racial ill-will, it will be closely monitoring the tenor of public discourse in the lead up to elections and the role of the media in this process. This will be a key task of the media-monitoring unit,” said Raj.
Maintaining the authority’s independence from government and any political party, Raj said MIDA will stringently deal with media outlets that continue to breach the law.
“In the interest of transparency, the Authority will require full translation of speeches and texts presented in the vernacular at all political rallies and forum and it is incumbent upon the media in Fiji to ensure that there is no dissonance in the content of speeches and texts presented either in the vernacular or English in their various modes of delivery.”
MIDA will seek further legal advice on the possibility of imposing a fine against Fiji TV. Source: https://twitter.com/RachnaFijiTV/status/451623606749917184/photo/1
By Apisalome Rabo
The Fiji Media Industry Development Authority has today ruled that comments made by Tailevu’s Ratu Timoci Vesikula were quote “nothing short of hate speech and in breach of the Bill of Rights provisions in the Fiji Constitution,” unquote.
Therefore MIDA has also ruled that Fiji One News has breached the Media Decree’s code of ethics.
MIDA is now seeking a legal opinion on whether to impose a fine under section 24 of the Media Industry Development Decree which could amount to 25 thousand dollars in the case of an editor or up to 100 thousand dollars for the organisation.
The Chairman says Ratu Timoci Vesikula’s speech also contravened Section 65 of the 2009 Crimes Decree Urging Political Violence or inciting communal violence.
“My decision this morning cannot be construed as an impingement on the freedom of expression or dismissed as yet another instance of gagging media freedom my MIDA as has been insinuated by some who are posturing as the praetorian guard of human rights but sadly very quiet over the issue of hate speech.” said Raj.
Raj also cited Section 66 which relates to seditious intention, to raise discontent or disaffection and to promote feeling of ill-will and hostility between different classes of the population of Fiji.
“Fiji Television in giving unfettered prominence to Ratu Timoci Vesikula’s speech, has failed to comply with SCHEDULE 1 (Section [18 (1)]) Media Code of Ethics and Practice provisions of the 2010 Media Industry Development Decree.” said Raj.
Further on, he Raj explained that while section 17 of the Constitution guaranteed free speech, it is limited – also coming with responsibilities…
Quoting 17(2) of the 2013 Constitution, Raj said:
17(2) crucially proscribe the following:
Freedom of speech, expression and thought, opinion and publication does not protect
(a) Advocacy of hatred that-
i) Is based on any prohibited ground of discrimination listed or prescribed under section 26: and
ii) Constitutes incitement to cause harm
And imperative in preserving:
17 (3) to the extent that this is necessary, a law may limit or may authorize the limitation of, the rights and freedoms mentioned in subsection (1) in the interest of –
(a) National security, public safety, public order, public morality, public health or the orderly conduct of elections:
(b) The protection or maintenance of the reputation, privacy, dignity, rights or freedoms or other persons, including the right to be free from hate speech, whether directed against individuals or groups
He adds that while media organization are free to report and comment on all matters of public interest, it is their duty not to publish or broadcast material in a form likely to promote or encourage communal hatred or discord.
“While MIDA recognizes that it remains Government’s prerogative to execute legal proceedings against Ratu Timoci Vesikula for inciting hatred and racial ill-will, it will be closely monitoring the tenor of public discourse in the lead up to elections and the role of the media in this process. This will be a key task of the media-monitoring unit,” said Raj.
Maintaining the authority’s independence from government and any political party, Raj said MIDA will stringently deal with media outlets that continue to breach the law.
“In the interest of transparency, the Authority will require full translation of speeches and texts presented in the vernacular at all political rallies and forum and it is incumbent upon the media in Fiji to ensure that there is no dissonance in the content of speeches and texts presented either in the vernacular or English in their various modes of delivery.”
MIDA will seek further legal advice on the possibility of imposing a fine against Fiji TV. Source: https://twitter.com/RachnaFijiTV/status/451623606749917184/photo/1
SELECTIVE REPORTING:
Did Fiji Sun journalists fall into a coma at the Tailevu Provincial Council meeting or chose NOT to report what Ratu Timoci Vesikula said about Indo-Fijians in Fiji to Frank Bainimarama?
Did Fiji Sun journalists fall into a coma at the Tailevu Provincial Council meeting or chose NOT to report what Ratu Timoci Vesikula said about Indo-Fijians in Fiji to Frank Bainimarama?
