WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY: As the Good, Bad and the Nasty of Fiji media gathered at FNU to speak on the role of education in media, they all miserably failed to point out that the FNU has blocked Fijileaks site!

3/5/2016

36 Comments

The United Nations has declared that access to information is a fundamental right of everyone but FNU has Blacklisted Fijileaks, preventing its students and staff from accessing the site to read 'FNUGATES'

Whenever Fijileaks receives leaked documents, we ask the 'leakers': Why didn't you go to the local media? Their response, "No way, they are a bunch of Bainimarama-Khaiyum spies, especially the Fiji Sun, Fijivillage News and Fiji Broadcasting Commission. They will give us a cup of tea, and will phone and hand us to the military to be bashed'

MEDIA MOCKERY ON DISPLAY: The Fiji National University’s Department of Media and Journalism, in collaboration with Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) hosts World Press Freedom Day with the theme ‘The Role of Education in Media Freedom' - with Fijileaks BLOCKED! Why? Unlike the supine Fijian journalists, we have exposed a raft of stories exposing the rampant corruption sweeping the FNU

These lot are yet to reproduce any story from Fijileaks, no matter how credible the story is - backed up with evidence

FNUGATE: The Medical Research Laboratory (MRL) that was under the portfolio of Professor Ian Rouse and headed by Santha Muller is having a Reference Group Meeting (RGM) on 5th May 2016 in Novotel Hotel in Lami. The purpose is to discuss MRL Research.

Fijileaks has been reliably informed that MRL has not carried out any research and has not published any research yet they are wasting FNU funds by having a meeting in Novotel when in fact the education centers is neglected.

The budget is substantial as many speakers are invited and morning tea, afternoon tea, and lunch is also provided. This is another eating and drinking gathering by Santha Muller to reinforce Ian Rouse legacy. The Chancellor Iqbal Jannif as usual is sleeping on the job.

Santha Muller (below) the organizer has declined to respond to questions from Fijileaks; instead, like 'Paratha Professor Chandra', she has ordered a witch hunt to track down Fijileaks sources!

36 Comments

Samjha

3/5/2016 11:58:21 pm

A charade to mark World Press Freedom Day by the Fiji media when it is a well known fact that there is no real media freedom in the country.
Press Freedom means bold journalism. It means holding power to account. In Fiji that is conspicuous by its absence. What we have is yellow journalism. That's why none of them questioned by Fijileaks was blocked FNU.

4/5/2016 12:32:50 am

FNU again. When will the rot stop at FNU. I say put Ganesh back there. At least such scandals will end and FNU will again start growing. Now the Chinese or Koreans have been acquiring FNU properties. (Navua Farm). 50 students graduated without completing the degrees. Millions gone missing at hands of Dr. Berlin and Dr Ian, which Ganesh started investigations on. Let him complete the job. Khaiyum can park his hatred for him for the time being. National institution's credibility is at serious stake.

Dekho

4/5/2016 01:01:59 am

This is of the same order as when Khaiyum took his troop of regime cronies to a UN Human Rights review panel to give a false account of the human rights situation prevailing in Fiji under the dictatorship . What a coincidence the regime lackey Ashwin Raj features in both these charades?

Rajend Naidu

4/5/2016 01:59:40 am

Editor,
Courage To Reveal The Truth
Please allow me to share this concluding remarks from Edward Snowden's article ' Inside The Assassination Complex: Whistleblowing Is Not Just Leaking - It's An Act Of Political Resistance' ( The Intercept 3/5) :
" The individuals who make these disclosures feel so strongly about what they have seen that they're willing to risk their lives and their freedom, They know that we, the people, are ultimately the strongest and most reliable check on the power of government. The insiders at the highest levels of government have extraordinary capability, extraordinary resources, tremendous access to influence, and a monopoly on violence, but in the final calculas there is but one figure that matters : the individual citizen. And there are more of us than there are of them".
Just how profoundly true is that?
We are blessed we have individuals like that prepared to hold power to account even at great personal cost to serve the public good.
Sincerely,
Rajend Naidu

Socho

4/5/2016 04:16:17 am

If anybody wants to know about the role of education in media freedom or academic freedom or democratic freedom they should contact the USP VC Rajesh Chandra, under whose leadership the USP was forced to steer clear of all these things. Makes you wonder what kind of education one can get in such an environment?

Charlie Charlie

4/5/2016 05:27:07 am

Humans only realise the value of good people once they are gone. FNU is crambling from all sides. Ganesh might have had some flaws but he had excellent control and jest to make FNU progressive. He was duped and discarded to make way for Iqbal janniff to take charge. Kaiyum wanted a Muslim as head and he couldn't get that done with Ganesh around. Ganesh was charged for a technical oversight and forced to make way. Why wasn't Filipe Bole charged as beneficiary? FNU is dying a slow death and we are spectators to our creation. Ganesh is justifiably having the last laugh. Same will happen to USP once Professor Chandra is kicked out based on personal vendetta against him by some self interest serving opportunists in Fiji and abroad.

Dekho

4/5/2016 08:16:36 am

Ganesh Chand was a self-serving opportunists when he was with the crook Mahendra Pal Chaudhry and the Fiji Labour Party.
Rajesh Chandra has been a self- serving opportunist who conveniently aligned himself with the Bainimarama-Khaiyum dictatorship to feather his own nest and undermine the reputation of the university as a place for free thinking individuals.
Both of them have been about their own self-aggrandisement . Some have refused to see that because they are too close to them. They are unable to cast an impartial eye.

4/5/2016 11:21:32 am

Dekho bhaya. Its easy to malign one with the taps of a keyboard nowadays. From what i know from my student days at USP as a mature student, and from what I have seen and read in recent 2 years, I may agree with you that Dr. Rajesh has turned out t be an opportunist. But where do you get that self-serving opportunist tag for Dr. Ganesh. I have attended many many meetings of Labour from the time Labour was formed. Never did I see Dr. Ganesh project himself to any position of power, though he had ample ability to do so and would have gained considerable support. I remember at the critical Nawai meeting Dr. Ganesh when Labour was almost divided, he could have easily exploited it occasion to his advantage. Tell me, which opportunist resigns when all was going good and he was still close to Chaudhry, as Dr. Ganesh did to start the University of Fiji? I have no problem if you have personal issues with Dr. Ganesh. If so, please resolve these with him. But do not smear a good man and a respected name for no reason, otherwise you will join the Khaiyum and Reddy league.

Joe Law

4/5/2016 05:38:11 am

i would block anyone if they were digging up all the dirt about me....lols...

Nange - caught pants down

4/5/2016 06:45:09 am

Right baat Victor. It is a farce. FNU attempts to block fijileaks is both futile and silly as the site is accessible on any computer with an email connection. FNU hosting media freedom event but does not understand impact of technological changes in the media. Still backward.

BTW, can somebody lodge a complaint against Fiji Times with MIDA for wrongly giving the title of 'Dr' to Ashwin Raj, than failing to correct it even after the 'mistake' was exposed by fijileaks, which forced Ashwin Raj to retract the falsehood. Fiji times readers wouldn't know better because the paper failed to correct the mistake. Mr Raj is a stickler for journalistic accuracy. He is always preaching and lecturing about it. It will be interesting to see how he handles any such complaint when he is responsible for the mistake in the first place, He failed to correct it in the first instance until caught pants down by Fijileaks.

And

4/5/2016 10:46:43 am

How come all the Kaivitis and Kailoma are dressed casual and the kaidia dressed as if they were going to meet the Queen!

4/5/2016 11:28:15 am

This is an interesting matter. When did FNU block Fiji Leaks? This was only when Monster Reddy became chairman of FNU Council. Was it also blocked when Dr. Ganesh was VC? I would be very surprised if this were the case. I am willing to lay a bet that he didnt block Fijileaks though Fijileaks condemned him so viciously when he was the VC. If he blocked it, then I will withdraw my praise for him. Censorship characteristics underline the character of people. A true democrat will let people say whatever they want to. Megalomanics will purge freedom of expression. See Khaiyum and Reddy.

Corrupt

4/5/2016 12:31:57 pm

Ed, Charlie Charlie and Aj are birds of like feathers and arden supporter of Ganesh Chand. In which world are you people living in? Read Paclii and you will find out that Ganesh Chand is not a saint. When he was Minister for Local Government he should government furniture and fittings for $20,000 for his personal use. High Court later reprimanded Ganesh. Ganesh is giving all business to his family. Bought refurbished computers and paid price of a new computer. The balance he kept shared among his people. Good he left. I an Rouse was another big time idiot who was stealing from Kiri funds together with Berlin Kafoa and Joslyn Prasad. All 3 have since left FNU apart from some cronies who are still abusing funds as exposed by the editor. So stop talking about Ganesh he is history now and let new VC take up the role and move forward. As far as Rajesh Chandra is concerned then he is a coward. He only loves money and position and can dance on any beat. He is also a crony of ASK. Rajesh fears competition and knows that his days are numbered so as soon as his close sources who spy on fellow staff gives Rajesh negative impression, Rajesh jumps up and kills the plant before its thorn can damage Rajesh's backside therefore all good professors now leaving USP. USP has become University of Stupid People under Rajesh.

Dekho

4/5/2016 10:48:35 pm

I agree a full 100% with the writer. I have followed the Fiji Labour Party since it was established in 1985. It was a party of integrity under Dr Bavadra's leadership. It slowly and steadily became a party of opportunists and cronies under Mahendra Chaudhry's leadership. Ganesh Chand as a good critical academic knew the FLP under Chaudhry had strayed from its noble democratic ideals and values. But he like others kept quiet to feather their vested interest. If that is not the way of the opportunist, what is?
Rajesh Chandra is of course just a mediocre academic with no backbone. The man knew which side his bread was buttered. It was to side with Khaiyum and his dictatorship. He is a disgrace to what a university stands for.

5/5/2016 12:47:33 am

I declare - I supported Labour. I still do but not as actively as I did until 2006. I have seen Labour closely both on its way to the peak and its fall and am willing to discuss Labour with Dekho and others. But here we toking about FNU and Dr. Ganesh. It pains me to see allegations like those made by Corrupt on a good man like Dr. Ganesh. I challenge Corrupt - name the computer company and the prices paid. If Dr. Ganesh bought computers as alleged, I will personally lodge the complaint to police and FICAC. Otherwise shut up and become a man to take on the real crooks and fraudsters rather than building a straw man and tearing it down. Our problem is often we take out the daggers at good people rather than building ally with them to take on the corrupt. You continue to do that and you will have only you, Corrupt or Dekho, to fight the Bai and Kai.

Dekho

5/5/2016 08:15:08 am

Did Ganesh Chand profit from aligning himself with the Bainimarama- Khaiyum dictatorship in Fiji?
Of course he did.
He was not a dissident, was he?

5/5/2016 12:45:22 pm

Dekho, show how Dr. Ganesh profited? How about this question: if he profited by aligning himself with Bai-Kai, why did he give this up and risk being fired? Why Kai wanted him removed? The Dr. Ganesh I know is not one who will do a personal profit and loss calculation in doing things, Dekho. He is far a different cut than most around.

Tomasi Koroi

4/5/2016 09:21:08 pm

It is true that the MRL (Medical Research Lab) has so far not carried out a single research. It was established by Dr. Ganesh to allow access for medical staff to a good quality lab facility. But Dr. Rouse and Dr. Muller stopped this and kept it off-bounds from medical staff at FNU and Ministry, citing one reason or the other. Another of Dr. Ganesh's initiative was the establishment of a Water Analysis Lab in Nabua. But after he left, Dr. Ian closed this lab. Now we do not have any specialised water and chemical testing facility in Fiji. The new VC has a lot of work his hands. He should immediately open access to MRL and start the water lab.

Bula

5/5/2016 10:49:06 am

You have not heard of Environmental Consultants Fiji Ltd (Dick Watling) or Institute of the Applied Sciences (USP) have you? And to think I considered you an informed writer!

Tomasi Koroi

5/5/2016 11:46:33 am

Yes Sir, I know Dick, and Bill/Usa's labs. I have read many reports from these. That is why I am said what I said. As they say, there are labs, and then there are Labs. Do you know how much filth pours out of the WAF pipes? Do you know why the diesel run cars in Fiji spew so much heavy smoke while diesel run cars in our neighbour country NZ do not? Do you know why the newly built roads by foreign companies give way to potholes within months? Do you know the quality of raw materials imported from China which are used in crop fertilisers by the Lautoka fertilizer blending company? Do you know the bogus energy efficiency rating labels which appear on electrical appliances imported from China by companies like Courts? And do you know why we still need to send forensic samples abroad to get reports? Where do I even start? As a professional I urge FNU to start access to MRL, commence operation of Water Analysis Lab in Nabua and continue with the initiatives on national testing labs. Access to the materials testing lab at Samabula should be opened, which can test the quality of materials used by road and building contractors in Fiji independent of the contractors and the over $50m per year paid foreign consultants employed by Fiji Roads. Now we have steel being used in buildings which sooner than later will see buildings buckle and collapse. I am not being alarmist. But a realist. The water engineering institute which Dr. Ganesh had started in collaboration with the world reknown RMIT - why was it closed first thing when Dr. Ganesh departed? I am getting more and more convinced that these were the initiatives of Dr. Ganesh which vested interests funding the establishment felt threatened about. The new VC has a lot on his plates. It will require courage, and a will to champion academic freedom. He can make a mark, or he can become co-opted by the establishment and turn FNU into another USP. We look forward to him starting.

Chiku

5/5/2016 12:00:05 am

Here's a self- serving statement made by MIDA man- regime media henchman - ( not Dr ) Ashwin Raj. He castigated Opposition Leader Ro Teimumu Kepa for saying on the Occassion of World Press Freedom Day that should her party form government in 2018 some journalists who " only aim to portray an image of Fiji fuelled by [pro-Bainimarama government] propaganda" will be taken to task.
In fact that is what Mr Raj should be doing NOW - pull up journalists who betray their professional integrity and ethical journalistic standards.
That's why NFP leader Professor Biman Prasad said Ashwin Raj should stop making an arse of himself and concentrated on dealing with complaints.
He said " We don't expect him to continue to defend the draconian Media Decree which almost everyone [ expect regime chamchas like Raj] agrees has destroyed press freedom,forced editors, publishers and media organisations to practise self- censorship... I maintain that as long as the draconian Media Decree remains , we will continue to see a censored press in Fiji" ( Fiji Times 5/5).
People with a genuine commitment to press freedom will agree absolutely with Professor Prasad.
Mr Raj of course belongs to that other variety : the kind that only pays lip service to press freedom.

5/5/2016 08:11:45 am

The more the matter of FNU and USP continues, the more light is thrown on real issues. Thank you editor. These articles get us to discuss more with friends, associates and work mates. Censorship at FNU is unbecoming of a University. Its like high schools where Education Minister issues fatwas and teachers must follow them blindly. Universities must have freedom. The access to Fiji Leaks is fundamental, even if Fiji Leaks carries wild allegations. We presume academics are brainy enough to differentiate wild allegations from real issues. So Editor please inform us when did the FNU censorship of Fiji Leaks begin. Also please tell us if USP also does this censorship.

Bula

6/5/2016 11:36:54 am

USP doesn't, but I suspect the day isn't far when it will. Rajesh Chandra, best epitomizing the term "megalomaniac" will crush any opposition to his "raj" (no, not Asswind Raj, but I can grant a pun if it suits). And FijiLeaks is evolving into a sound opposing voice of reason. It's only a matter of time.

Corrupt

5/5/2016 01:33:08 pm

Aj why not you ask Ganesh what happened in 2013 regarding computer dealing. Well dont deny the fact that Ganesh did not sold government furniture for $20,000 when he was local government minister. Admit that Ganesh is corrupt. If he was not he would by now tell his side of the story regarding his sudden departure from FNU and the settlement amount. Ganesh's silence says 1000 words. Ganesh is another corrupt whether you like it or not truth hurts.

5/5/2016 01:58:16 pm

What a joker you are, Corrupt. You make allegations. I put you on the spot, you cant front up. Now another allegation - he sold 20,000 of furniture. If he sold, someone bought it. So name one person who bought it and I will myself report to the police and FICAC. Or name just one piece of furniture which is missing form Government asset listing. The problem, Corrupt, is that people like you survive by smearing names of good people. This gives your types fodder. So sad we have such in this community, in the face of struggle against the dictatorship of Bai and Kai.

Corrupt

5/5/2016 09:52:15 pm

Aj you yourself a big joke. Go to google and type "chand faces theft probe" - Fiji Times Saturday August 26, 2000 - "State quarters stripped of items" by Margaret Wise. Further you can also follow these articles "Police are investigating the theft of government owned furniture and other household items from the home of previously occupied by deposed Cabinet Minister" another article "Former housing, environment and national planning minister Dr Ganesh Chand will be questioned, said SSP Emosi Vunisa, head of Criminal Investigation Department" In regards to refurbished computers it was in 2013 and Ganesh and his then double portfolio holding Director finance manupulated the records and you take out search warrant on this and you will get hold of all this. Now stop crying like small baby and ponder on the above article and then you will realise that your Ganesh Chand is not a saint. I also challenge you to reveal to Fijileaks the reason why Ganesh left FNU so suddenly. How much he was paid for sudden departure. Remember earlier on Fijileaks also published massive article on Ganesh and his side kick double portfolio holding director and upon numerous repeated follow up with police then your Ganesh was charged on bole's medical case otherwise all this would have swept under carpet.

And

6/5/2016 12:08:06 am

How can Ganesh Chand be a saint when he once threatened somebody during an election campaign with a kudari!

6/5/2016 03:07:09 am

Corrupt - we all know 2000. We all know Dr. Ganesh was a hostage and his house was raided by terrorists. Of course you were still too young to know of these, or that by 2000, Margaret Wise had attracted tag of skirt journalism, reference Joji Kotobalavu and S. Rabuka. Learn some history. But you do claim to know 2013. How difficult is it for you to give the name of the computer company. Search warrant is business of police. So please, if you dont want to give the details for me to report, why dont you report to the police on this. Or shut your trap, and live with the legacy of Dr. Ganesh; one sees them every day i every party of Fiji; you can curse him each time you see these blue signboards, but the results he achieved, which is establishing FNU and earlier establishing UOF, are there and will remain there for ever. On why he left suddenly, you ask him directly, cant you?

Corrupt

6/5/2016 01:37:16 pm

Aj you will remain Ganesh's chamcha well good for you. Who knows you also might be Ganesh Chand hiding behing Aj and started campaiging for 2018 elections. Take note general public are not foolish. You have diverted from the real issue. You wanted to know and I have already given you my sources now if you still believe that Ganesh is saint then what about Fijileaks massive leaks on FNU gate. Report on which Ganesh was charged. Also why not disclose to fijileaks how much Ganesh was paid for his sudden departure and what were the real reasons for his departure. Ask Ganesh to reveal it to you and you in turn reveal it to forum otherwise you have gone sinile over Ganesh Chand.

6/5/2016 08:45:11 pm

Corrupt, you made 2 then now 3 allegations. 1. Dr. Ganesh sold 20k of government furniture, 2. in 2013 he bought refurbished computers and paid new prices and shares balance with his friends, and 3. he got money from FNU when he left. I have put you on the spot on evidences of wrongdoing (like name of the computer company, buyers of the furniture) so that I can see them myself and report him to police and FICAC, and in this process lose respect and admiration for this man and even confront him when occasion arises. But you do not provide any evidence. I then said why not you yourself report to police and FICAC. But you dont. You now jump to other allegations. 4. I am Dr. Ganesh's chamcha or I might be him myself, and 5. Dr. Ganesh has started campaign for 2018 election. This so rapid changing of covers is the characteristics of people involved in the oldest profession. Thank you, but you have nothing to offer other than vilifying people, notably Indians, with solid track records of achievements, who the regime people, Kai in particular, also has a mission to destroy. You two have joined hands. That is clear. But I again say smearing good names with imaginary bad deeds is unbecoming of a real man.

Chris

6/5/2016 11:50:58 pm

There is no difference between Corrupt and AJ when comparison is made with Tom & Jerry Tales, both in no form tend to shed any form of light on their claims rather just scratching one another’s back, to some extent AJs claims are valid. FNU has lots of corruptions in past, currently as well, not only Ganesh profited from the computer deals but many others within system like Shalen Anand, anuj (director IT) Tolu, Naren (former director finance) managers shaneel chattier, dhiren sharma, bishal sharma with dealing from Extreme Business, VT-Solutions, TFL, PDS, Daltron, bondwell with a hint of being caught some left while few ended up banging High court doors. Same footstep in being followed by Manoj Ram director finance, shalen anand, tave, tolu, these crooks need to be fixed, being part of procument team I could see all this happening and those who question are fired within span of hours, like what happened to me and many others.

7/5/2016 01:08:32 am

So Chris is saying a lot of people profited from Computer Deals with Extreme Business, VT-Solutions, TFL, PDS, Daltron, Bondwell. This is dynamite. Why not report this to the Police and to the FICAC. Haul all those named - the directors of the companies identified, and all the staff named, included Dr. Ganesh. Come on, Chris, be a man and do it and close this matter. Readers can also report this. The rot must be wiped out and guilty party jailed. I also recall that what has been established already is the 6m Euro (over $15m Fijian) rot of Dr. Ian on which there is ample evidence, FNU Board knows about this, but no one is taking any action.

Samjha

6/5/2016 11:23:13 pm

Someone wrote to the Fiji Times to thank MIDA gestapo man Ashwin Raj for giving an " assurance " of press freedom in the country.
Is that that kind of joke - the kind that's not funny!

Socho

7/5/2016 12:27:52 am

Raj giving " assurance" about press freedom with Media Decree still in place is like Erdogan giving an assurance that critics and opponents will not be thrown in jail.
All rubbish!

Corrupt

7/5/2016 11:36:49 pm

Aj you said that you will personally report if you are given facts now Chris has given you what you wanted so why not you report and let fijileaks know. Further you are still silent and avoiding the question of Why Ganesh departed so suddenly and how much he pocketed for this sudden departure from FNU. What when wrong? Further enlighten us about all the allegations of FNU gate in regards to your saviour Ganesh Chand on Fijileaks. Remember there were so many allegations published by Fijileaks but your messiah Ganesh was charged for only one that is bole's medical saga. Now be man enough and reveal here. We all know Aj that Ganesh is not a saint but a devil in disguise so support Ganesh philosphy is not prudent. Drop it unless Ganesh comes out clean and reveals what actually transpired and may be I am saying here may be Ganesh will restore some of his credibility otherwise he is another unclean person that we know of.

8/5/2016 10:39:17 am

Hello Corrupt. So what do I report? That in 2013, Dr. Ganesh, Shalen Anand, anuj (director IT) Tolu, Naren (former director finance) managers shaneel chattier, dhiren sharma, bishal sharma, tave, tolu, Manoj Ram director finance, profited from dealing with Extreme Business, VT-Solutions, TFL, PDS, Daltron, Bondwell? When they ask me to elaborate, what do I write in my statement of complaint: one "Corrupt" and one "Chris" said so on Fiji Leaks? If I were the person in FICAC or Police taking the report, and you were the complainant, I would refer you immediately to that outfit on Reservoir Road named after St. Giles. Surely if it is so easy, why not you report this? For me to report, I will need the actual transaction, the quantity bought, the prices paid. Why not you sue FICAC for not charging Dr. Ganesh for all allegations you and Fijileaks raised? You have that right? Also since you are suggesting that Dr. Ganesh’s sudden departure was illegal, or any money paid to him was illegal, why not sue him and FNU for this? You have that right? No point on quarrelling with me on a social media site, is there? I will continue to retain my admiration for this man Dr. Ganesh until you or anyone else can come up with the specifics of any crime he committed. You can continue to complain in the meantime.

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WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY: As the Good, Bad and the Nasty of Fiji media gathered at FNU to speak on the role of education in media, they all miserably failed to point out that the FNU has blocked Fijileaks site!

The United Nations has declared that access to information is a fundamental right of everyone but FNU has Blacklisted Fijileaks, preventing its students and staff from accessing the site to read 'FNUGATES'

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