Fiji's double standards in Democracy.

The issue of Radio frequencies is attracting alot of attention lately in Fiji.
As well as Education and crime statistics.

I wonder if this former Minister's case was included.
Fiji Sun Political Article unleashes the progressive dialogue long absent from Politicians in Fiji.

Unfortunately in Fiji, there are some provinces that are perpetually ill-informed. Added to that conflict, Corruption is contagious in Fiji.
Kotobalavu gets cut down to size, for his unsubstantiated and equivocal ridicule of the U.N Development report.


Selected letters to Fiji Times Editor.

Elected reps

IT is a pity that people elected by the taxpayers to help them improve living standards and lifestyle are instead looking after themselves only.

They abuse taxpayer's money and when they are found out, nothing is done to them. They don't have to pay the money back or don't go to prison. Instead, they are transferred to other departments where they are likely to do the same thing again.

Who is to be held responsible? The minister should be charged. Even the prime minister should be charged because he is not doing his job properly.

Kris Sam
Suva

Tradition and democracy

THE expression "Fijian traditional values and democracy are at odds" as uttered by the powerful to the powerless should not be allowed to exist in the public domain unchallenged.

Tradition is an illusion of permanence. Nothing under heaven remains the same, including the evolved contemporary Fijian so-called traditional obligations of roqo-roqo, kau matanigone, tevutevu, bulubulu, somate, reguregu, bikabika, burua, bogidrau, vakataraisulu and for good measure the Bose ko Viti thrown in.

From the cradle to the grave, if it wasn't for democracy and western culture, the form that all these ceremonies stand for would be quite different in shape and form from that as were practised by our forefathers, let alone practised at all.

Ironically today if it wasn't for western technology such as refrigeration and air travel we would not have our dearly departed Tutua (grandfather) in the morgue while we waited for Tubuna (grandson) in the British Army to fly in from Germany and hence prolong our somate (funeral gathering) for two weeks while we the grieving feasted free on Tubuna's hard-earned pound, shilling and pence for the similar duration.

JB Raiova
Lami

TV monopoly

I write in support of Ken Stratton's views (FT 10/9).

The public desperately need a second free-to-view television channel.

Fiji One has abused its monopoly for far too long.

Of particular concern to me is the sports coverage. Currently, the viewers are denied weekly live sports and quality coverage. Even the delayed coverage weeks later is absurd, with rugby matches reduced to a mere 15 minutes and some sporting events not shown at all.

In fact, Fiji One has in the past, doctored the ABC signal to block out coverage of live rugby league.

It is amazing that such unethical behaviour has gone unpunished by the relevant authorities.

I urge the government to grant a licence to TV2. This will provide competition and improve the standards of television viewing in this country.

Eddie Chan
Nadi

Developing Zimbabwe

If Chaudhry or Beddoes were Fiji's Prime Minister, and they directed all taxpayer-paid Government advertisements to a struggling newspaper headed by their cousin and a known party supporter, would Fijians be sitting as quietly as they are at the actions of Prime Minister Qarase?

Why, when others do this, it is corruption. But when it is done by a Fijian Prime Minister it is all right?

Have we double standards of criteria to judge what corruption or righteousness in Fiji? What has become of the independence of Public Service Commission? Is it there to look after our interest or that of politicians?

Does it mean that if the Prime Minister and the CEO hail from the same province, then the provincial loyalty overrides professional itegrity?

There is the Methodist Church and other religious groups which jump into political arena at the slightest excuse and bash homosexuals and other minorities without any element of humanity.

Why are they remaining silent on this attack on fourth estate to available public revenue, and an action of the government which reeks of corruption?

Where is Transparency Inter-national? Just like The Daily Post, are they also licking the palms of those who feed them?

Will it mean that from now on The Daily Post and Volasiga will not publish anything against government with the fear of having the financial life support system being pulled out?

Is there now a new rule on free media operations in Fiji, with this new government's initiative of, "I scratch your back, and you scratch mine"?

This is a wake-up call to the media in Fiji to stand up for righteousness without fear or favour and stop this drift of Fiji towards Zimbabwe.

Thakur Ranjit Singh
Auckland
New Zealand.