between THE LINES

‘FOREIGN COMMUNICATION’

Questions were being asked in the top echelons of Government about a communication purportedly from a foreign country which has a diplomatic mission in Suva.

BTL cannot establish what the issue was except that a top diplomat was called and shown the gist of the communication.

MEDIA FREEDOM

Some people need to know that they cannot stop photo-journalists taking pictures of accused family members, particularly in high profile cases which attract a lot of public interest.

A journalist was trying to take a picture of an accused on Friday when a relative blocked her view.

In the same case later in the afternoon, another family member reacted “go home” and later showed a middle finger while the reporter was taking pictures. Harassment and intimidation of journalists have no place in Fiji.

BTL is appealing to law enforcement officers to ensure that journalists are able to do their work.

People who attack journalists should be held accountable as a deterrent to others.

PLASTIC FREE WAVE

The plastic-free initiative by Rakiraki Market vendors has attracted interest from some municipal markets.

It’s a novel idea that more and more people are talking about.

After Rakiraki, who is likely to follow?

WAS HE SERIOUS?

An official of an Opposition political party turned up at a fundraising event and announced he was not there as a politician. He said he was not there also as an official of the party. He thanked the people for supporting him in the 2018 General Election.

The moment, he said that, an avid BTL fan said to his friend: “Isn’t he now talking politics? What utter nonsense.” Drawing the line on what is politics and what is not can be difficult at times, like the politician found out.

Seriously, was he there just to enjoy the day? Of course not, he was there to consolidate the support he secured in the 2018 poll.

What BTL would like to know is: Did he contribute to the fundraising?

TEACHER’S DILEMMA

One teacher is wondering how they will discipline students with the clarification by the Employment Relations Court that corporal punishment is illegal. Even a gentle tap on the body can be construed as corporal punishment.

The court has focused on the emotional trauma suffered by students.

The teacher has now made up his mind that if a student is misbehaving he will refer him or her to the designated counsellor.

If there is no counsellor, it will be the principal, he says.