In a last grasp at straws to prevent the passage of the Broadcast Bill, industry players in Fiji have begun to view their legal options. Fiji Times publisher Tony Yianni has dropped the gauntlet in seeking a judicial review, branding the legislation as a breech of the 1997 Fiji constitution.
The media campaign against the Broadcast Bill lacked the grass root support to mobilize the issue, which genuinely looked like more of a threat to the media industry itself rather than the Fiji public at large.
It is a reminder that the greater public in Fiji are looking at issues that affect their well-being first, as well remembering the absurdity of Fiji Media Council's premise of regulating themselves. In a world of accountability and performance, the current framework of quality assurance in the Fiji Media Council is limited in scope and function.
The mantra of an industry or institution regulating itself; mirrors the trappings of an oligarchial tyrant. Refusing to conform to the benchmarks of checks and balances, which is a part and parcel of a democratic society.
Observing the observer.
The rudimentry type of advertising standards, currently used by Fiji media industry has failed. As well as the lack of local content especially in the broadcast sector despite public requests, had fallen on deaf ears.
The clause #30 of Local Content is in Part 5 of the bill under "Terms and Conditions".
Local content requirements
30. The Authority may determine minimum local content requirements for any broadcasting service after consulting widely.
Fiji Media industry hopes to gain more traction, by labelling the new Broadcast legislation as a threat to media freedom but in actuality the proposed laws do not affect civil liberties. The tags of media muzzling is a hype, engineered by the Fiji Media Council to misinform, mislead and misreport.
Above: Daryl Tarte-Chairperson of Fiji Media Council.
Fiji Media Council Chairman's interview with ABC.
Media Broadcast Bill-Parliament of Fiji.
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