Fiji Sun refutes Biman Prasad claim
‘Fiji Sun is an independent newspaper and is just doing its job like any other news organisation’
Fiji Sun managing editor training Nemani Delaibatiki has defended the newspaper against National Federation Party leader Biman Prasad’s attack on it. Mr Delaibatiki said Mr Prasad had always talked about freedom of the press on one hand but contradicted himself on the other by trying to shoot the messenger.
“He needs to address the issues raised against the party,” Mr Delaibatiki said. Mr Prasad said in the annual general meeting held last weekend in Lautoka that the Fiji Sun was part of the Government’s propaganda machine.
He was referring to Fiji
Sun reports that some people in Ba alleged NFP provisional candidate Pradeep Chandra expressed antiMuslim comments in his campaign.
Mr Prasad said: “These accusations are false and very soon the Fiji Sun will be hearing from our lawyers. I can promise you that. “The Fiji Sun survives because they get all the Government advertising.” Mr Prasad said.
Mr Delaibatiki said the interviews with the people were video recorded and documented. He said the
Fiji Sun received a tipoff and investigated the claims. “We are playing our role as a public watchdog. We cannot ignore the people when they want to speak out on issues particularly against politicians. The politicians cannot simply brush them aside,” he said.
He said Fiji Sun is an independent newspaper and is just doing its job like any other news organisation. “There have been two cases (involving NFP provisional candidates) that have been brought to our attention and like any responsible newspaper we have investigated. And as a result of that, we have published documented stories based on those claims. If they want to take us to court, that’s their prerogative. We will defend ourselves.
“As far as Government advertising is concerned, it was strictly a commercial deal and we won the public tender.”