The Fijian media industry has strongly called on the coalition government to repeal the Media Industry Development Act which first came as a decree in 2010, and to stick to the promise they made during the campaign period.
In a submission signed by Communications Fiji Limited Chair William Parkinson, Fiji TV Limited Chair Deepak Rathod, Fiji Times Limited General Manager Christine Lyons and Fijian Broadcasting Corporation Limited General Manager Tarun Patel, the media organisations say they cannot see the need to separately register the media and it appears to be based on the practice of registering newspapers that dates back to the 19th century.
They say all media organisations are already registered as legal entities, like most businesses, as incorporated companies both public and private.
The media owners say any attempt to separately register media organisations opens the possibility of intimidation through potential deregistration.
The organisations further say the cross media ownership provision appears to be out of date and the current reality is that all media organisations are already cross media entities with online presence in various forms.
They say by removing this restriction, it will free up all media organisations to fully achieve their potential increasing, not decreasing, competition to the benefit of the readers, listeners and viewers.
The organisations also say that at a time when Fiji is actively seeking new investment, they cannot understand why the Fiji media industry should be denied the opportunity to attract foreign investment.
They say if the industry is to grow and develop, foreign investment both in terms of capital funds and knowledge is critical.
The organisations say the media industry has faced, over the last 16 years, unprecedented political interference and control and they are desperate to get on with the task of rebuilding the industry and profession and this can only start with repealing the Media Industry Development Act.
Speaking on behalf of the media owners, CFL Chairman William Parkinson says we should start with a clean slate and then start a wider conversation whether there is a need for regulation and are these issues covered under other forms of legislation or control.
He says there should not be any involvement of politicians or bureaucrats in the Fiji Media Council and as before, it should be community driven and it does not need a legislation.
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Fiji TV Chairman, Deepak Rathod says the reasons these provisions in the Act was brought in did not have validity and they should forget about it.
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Consultation on the Draft Media Bill which was partly drafted by prominent lawyer, Richard Naidu was held at Suvavou House today, with majority of the speakers wanting a total repeal of the media legislation.
Solicitor General, Ropate Green says the consultation phase is important as they will take the public submissions to cabinet for the final decision before any bill goes to parliament.
Green also says they understand how the Media Industry Development Decree came into place in 2010 without consultation, and encouraged the participation of the public to get the best outcome.
