Media urged not to aid and abet false claims

MEDIA organisations and members of the public have been urged not to aid and abet those spreading false claims about hate and racial division.

This, according to National Federation Party (NFP) leader Professor Biman Prasad. His comments come in the wake of allegations that racially motivated crimes in the country were on the rise following the election.

During a news conference in Suva on Wednesday, FijiFirst general secretary Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum labeled The People’s Alliance leader Sitiveni Rabuka as “divisive”.

“The entire rationale of this man has been to divide Fiji to gain political supremacy and we can see that simmering through again, in fact it’s not simmering through, it’s now boiling, he’s a very divisive character,” he claimed.

In response, Prof Prasad accused Mr Sayed-Khaiyum of creating hate and inciting people and called on the police to investigate comments made by him.

“We have evidence of FijiFirst supporters on social media speaking on that and creating hate, creating racial division, and that is why you know he should be investigated for inciting hatred and division in the country,” he said.

“The Police must actually go and investigate him now. If we said something like that, we would be in the CID headquarters the next minute. I hope that the Police will get down to their work as soon as possible.”

Prof Prasad also highlighted the important role media organisations played in such scenarios, and urged all to refrain from contributing to incitement and aiding and abetting fear and hatemongering.