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THANK YOU! Fijileaks and its founding Editor-in-Chief VICTOR LAL wish to thank all those who have decided to nominate Fijileaks and Lal for the 2016 Index on Censorship Award; Fijileaks was set up to beat censorship!

18/10/2015

10 Comments

 

Fijileaks: We are not concerned whether we win or not but for us the nomination means that we will be keeping alive the strangulation of the Fiji media on the world stage. You can follow the link below and NOMINATE individuals or organisations for Freedom of Expression Awards 2016; the closing date is: 10am on Tuesday 20th October.

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https://awards.indexoncensorship.org/#nominate-now


Meanwhile, RUSSELL HUNTER, the former publisher and editor-in-chief
of the Fiji Sun, examines the sorry state and quality of journalism in
Fiji today:
"The watchdog has become a lapdog – and it would be wrong to single out the Fiji Sun in this role. At least it has unashamedly embraced bias and makes no bones of its dog-like desire to please."

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PictureRussell
Hunter
The Fiji Sun’s October outburst as noted by Fijileaks (of which more later) needs to be read in the context of the country’s media scene today.

The reporter mentions that “a reader” has suggested that it make the statement asserting that to describe Victor Lal and some others as an idiot is to insult the world’s idiots.

It’s neither clever nor original but given that there’s no prize for guessing who “a reader” might be it was duly published. As ordered.

It’s a sure sign if any were needed that the dictatorship’s control of the media is complete. From the early days of censorship in 2008 the regime has emerged from decreeing what may not be published to what must be published.

This has been achieved through a blend of threats and bribes. The lies to parliament about the Fiji TV saga have never been challenged before the privileges committee (such as it is) and doubtless never will be as an increasingly dysfunctional Opposition (for want of a better word) flounders in an incompetence matched only by certain figures in the dictatorship itself.

Similarly, the media will leave well alone if it knows what’s good for it. Most do.

So whereas a few short years ago there would have been media outcry today there is silence. The watchdog has become a lapdog – and it would be wrong to single out the Fiji Sun in this role. At least it has unashamedly embraced bias and makes no bones of its dog-like desire to please.

Others cling to the fiction of independence when they know they cannot afford to be so.

For the Khaiyum courts have endless power to punish independent reporting and have already made it known they will not hesitate to use them. They, like the media, report to one master only. And while one feels for the few honest people left in the institutions and estates of Fiji, whether this is done willingly or otherwise is now immaterial. The end result is the same.

But the consequences are – or should be – becoming apparent. There is today an alarming and growing disconnect between the media and what was once its natural constituency. What was once the voice of the voiceless has become the voice of those who have the guns, money and power to shout the loudest.

It affects some more than others but in general the media has lost or perhaps abandoned the trust of those it once sought to serve. People simply no longer believe what they read, hear and see in the media.

And this goes a long way towards explaining the rise of sites such as Fijileaks which publishes news and views the regime would prefer to suppress. I for one see it developing into a fully-fledged online news source with daily comment and analysis.

It’s already arguably the most read source for all concerned with and interested in Fiji which proves that people still crave an independent reliable source of information.

Of course propaganda works (look at Putin’s Russia) but that doesn’t mean people believe the media and, in any case, its time is limited as dictators throughout history have found to their resultant cost in health damage.

But look ahead. What will happen in the media when Bainimarama, Khaiyum and their cronies and accomplices are in hell, prison or exile?

Of course the older former journalists who in their shameless greed and ambition have turned their backs on principle will slink away to whatever countries will take them (or try to), but what will happen to those young, eager students who have never known the discipline of a real newsroom but who have learned to faithfully reproduce what a corrupt and demanding regime provides them?

Most instinctively know that this is not journalism but lack the opportunity or direction from their “trainers” to ask the hard questions.

Will they ever be able to offer their country the kind of honest journalism its citizens and residents deserve?

Of course they will. But there will be a period of grave uncertainty before that can begin to happen.

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Hi Victor,
 
This is your final chance to nominate brave and inspiring artists, journalists and activists for our Freedom of Expression Awards. Can you help us to defy censorship and share this opportunity with people and organisations doing such important work?

Winners will be celebrated at our gala in London on 13th April 2016 and join the Index Awards Fellowship - a dedicated programme of training and support for free expression heroes. Nominations can come from anywhere. They are open to anybody - individuals or organisations. And nominations are completely free.
The closing date is less than a week away: 10.00 (GMT) on Tuesday 20th October.

Thank you for your help. 
David Heinemann 
Head of Events, Index on Censorship


https://awards.indexoncensorship.org/#nominate-now

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THE LONE CHINESE PROTESTOR WHO DARED TO STOP THE CHINESE MILITARY MIGHT DURING THE TIANANMEN MASSACRE IN 1989
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10 Comments
Chiku
18/10/2015 10:26:53 am

It's only logical that Fijileaks and it's editor in chief Victor Lal be nominated for this freedom of expression award by people committed to this essential pillar of democracy which the Dictatorship of Bainimarama tried to dismantle in Fiji. Fijileaks and Lal ensured the Fijian dictatorship did not succeed over the entire eight year duration of its rule. By keeping the public informed about the true nature of the dictatorship and giving the public a voice on its website.
Now the Fiji Sun and its regime mouthpiece journalists like Jyoti Pratibha, Nemani delaitabiki and Maika Bolatiki and Peter Low Mass can't be nominated for this award, can they?

Reply
Saamjoo
18/10/2015 04:04:25 pm

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama also didn't let the protestors get in the way of his visit to Sydney. PM Frank Bainimarama didn't let ANYTHING or ANYBODY get in the way when he UNLAWFULLY took over power in Fiji .He RUTHLESSlY crushed all forms of protest and all protesters . The dictator has now turned " democratic " but he remains intolerant of opponents and critics and Fiji has become a country where the people are fearful of their rulers. At least the " failed" Sydney protest put the spotlight on the prevailing political culture in Fiji which is democratic largely only in name.

Reply
rajend naidu
18/10/2015 05:34:56 pm

Editor,
CITIZENS TAKING A STAND AGINST A WRONG PERPETRATED ByTHE STATE
In their joint letter of protest titled ' For decency's sake return Somali woman to Australia' ( smh 19/10 ) the following prominent doctors : Professor Caroline de Costa, Dr Deborah Bateson, Professor David Isaacs, Dr Sue Jacobs, Dr John- Paul Sanggaran, Professor Alexandra Barrett, Associate Professor Kirsten Black, Dr Jenny Kangaroo, Dr Anu Lal, Dr Heather McNamee, Dr EllieFreedman, Dr Melissa Kangaroo, Dr Emma Boulton and Dr Jo Ludlow - say " The rapid and secret transfer from Australia of the 23 year old Somali woman seeking termination of a pregnancy allegedly resulting from rape on Nauru is deeply shocking and set a new low in Australia's treatment of asylum seeker women" ( ' Pregnant refugee to be deported back to Nauru ' Oct 17 ).
The doctors contend this action by the Australian State " is a major breach of her human rights " and that " she faces enormous risks to her physical and mental health in Nauru, with a high possibility of self-harm. There are also great dangers in leaving her on the island exposed to her alleged rapist. This must not be allowed to happen ".
When voting started on the poll on ' What was your favourite letter today?' 66 percent voted for the doctors' letter . Clearly an overwhelming majority of the citizens do not agree with the State's decision to secretly deport the pregnant refugee woman and agree with the doctors that this must not be allowed to happen.
Sincerely,
Rajend Naidu
Sydney

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WAY TO GO FIJILEAKS
19/10/2015 01:51:49 am

You are the people's winners already!! God Bless and God lead you!

Reply
Socho
19/10/2015 02:56:08 am

I endorse that. Fijileaks is the Peoples Voice and the true protector of the peoples right to free speech and the right to know what the mob in power are doing in our name.

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What a Shame
19/10/2015 10:26:31 am

The protesters numbers look smaller than old Butadroka's Party. Maybe with FLP Rajendra Chaudhry didn't fund the protesters from his fathers $2m to increase their numbers.

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Chiku
19/10/2015 09:24:08 pm

Talking about numbers how many people running the BaiKhaiyum Dictatorship of Fiji now masquerading as a Democratic government? Let me give you a clue : one plus one equals...

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anish singh link
20/10/2015 12:43:44 am

there are plenty of people in Australia people are calibrate fiji day in Sydney in australia

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Rajend Naidu
19/10/2015 11:41:54 pm

Editor,
We learn from Al Jazeera America article ' In Germany, CIA official charged with torture' ( Oct 20 ) that a German human rights group has filed complaints against Alfreda Frances Bikowsky the " Queen of Torture" . The prosecution of Bikowsky is at the centre of efforts to hold CIA officials accountable for alleged abuses.
Benjamin Ward the, Human Rights Watch deputy director for Europe and Central Asia said " If the prosecutors are inclined to take up a case of human rights abuse by foreign officials, there's scope in Germany for broad investigations into human rights abuses under universal jurisdiction... That could have a very important effect and make officials implicated in abuse reluctant to travel to other countries..."
Meanwhile in the new Fiji being build by Bainimarama and Khaiyum for nearly a decade in power now the Fiji Human Rights Commission " is operating without a director and a legal team to handle court cases"(Fiji Times 20/10 ).
Obviously the Bainimarama-Khaiyum Government does not attach the high importance that is attached in Germany to human rights issues.
That is understandable. It is after all a democracy emerging out of a military dictatorship.
Si

Reply
Bahuki
20/10/2015 06:49:33 am

You make a lot more sense in your reporting than those "can'ts" at the Fiji Stunk, so congrats on your nomination.

Reply

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