The Editor of The Fiji Times, Fred Wesley says he did not receive the letter written by Josaia Waqabaca that was published in the Nai Lalakai newspaper.
While giving evidence in the sedition trial, Wesley also told his lawyer, Marc Corlette that he did not see the letter, he had no knowledge of the letter and he did not authorise the letter to be published.
Corlette said that in fact, Fred Wesley did nothing.
Wesley told Corlette that he first knew about the letter some weeks afterwards when he was interviewed by Police.
While opening the case, Corlette asked the court how can someone be guilty if they have done nothing.
Corlette said that Police did not do any investigation about who authorised the letter. He said that all they did was arrest three people and say that someone must have done it.
The lawyer for Wesley and Arts said that what the prosecution seems to be saying is that Anare Ravula produced the draft newspaper, showed it to Wesley and then Wesley showed it to Arts but Corlette said that Fred Wesley knew nothing about this.
He said that there are 4 newspapers at the Fiji Times and each newspaper has an editor.
Corlette also said that the responsibility of what goes in the newspaper is the responsibility of each editor because it is about editorial independence.
While giving evidence, Fred Wesley said that he has been a journalist for 26 years and the Editor of Fiji Times since 2010.
When asked on what is his understanding of the role of a Publisher, Wesley said that a Publisher sets the direction of a newspaper.
Wesley also confirmed that he did not read the Nai Lalakai newspaper as he has difficulty reading the iTaukei language.
He also said that he has never read the Nai Lalakai.
Wesley said that as Editor of The Fiji Times, he sets the direction of a newspaper, ensures the guidelines are followed including the Media Act and serve as a guide for Heads of Departments. He said that he also ensures that the letters to editor is checked.
Wesley also confirmed that part of his responsibility is that all editors of The Fiji Times report to him.
He said that as Editor-in-Chief, he is there as a support mechanism however the editors for all the publications have sole jurisdiction.
Wesley said that all editors are responsible for completing their pages.
He also said that it is the editors that review the pages before they are sent for printing.
Wesley said that he does not know if the Nai Lalakai received a lot of letters to the editor.
He also said that Anare Ravula has never brought a Nai Lalakai article to him to read. Wesley also said that decisions about content have never escalated to Hank Arts.
Wesley said that neither Arts nor the Fiji Times owners have dictated to him about the contents of the newspaper.
Earlier today, High Court Judge, Justice Thushara Rajasinghe ruled that Fiji Times Limited, Publisher Hank Arts, Editor Fred Wesley, Nai Lalakai Editor Anare Ravula and Contributor Josaia Waqabaca have a case to answer.
In his ruling, Justice Rajasinghe said that upon consideration, he is satisfied that the prosecution has presented some evidence that is circumstantial therefore he disputes the submission made by the defence.
Fiji Times Limited, Hank Arts and Josaia Waqabaca have pleaded not guilty to sedition while Fred Wesley and Anare Ravula have pleaded not guilty to aiding and abetting sedition.
It is alleged that Fiji Times printed the Nai Lalakai newspaper which contained an article which had content with a seditious intention to promote feelings of ill will and hostility between classes of the population.
Fred Wesley will be cross-examined by Assistant DPP, Lee Burney this afternoon.
