"Investigative journalism must set boundaries" - Natai

Submitted by TemoL on Mon, 16/05/2011 - 10:05am

“Investigative journalism must set boundaries for itself”. That’s the statement shared by the Acting Deputy Secretary Setaita Natai following recent media reports on the New Zealand Press Council’s ruling against the Sunday Star Times.

Natai’s comments comes in light of the New Zealand Press Council’s decision to uphold the New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister’s complain against the newspaper. The Sunday Star Times had published an article on visa restrictions for senior Government officials including the Honorable Prime Minister to attend the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. In his argument, Foreign Minister Murray McCully noted that the article written by Michael Field failed to meet “journalistic standards of accuracy, fairness and balance”.

Natai added that Fiji is “fortunate to have journalists who value their work” and providing a balanced and fair view in all news items. According to Natai, journalists and media persons now have access to a lot of information and should ensure that a balanced and accurate view is sought.

“Fiji is breaking free on the culture of silence and it’s something that all media outlets should capitalize on”.

Natai added that the media play a crucial role for society including Government and its only fair that an accurate and balanced view is accounted for. On Minister’s McCully’s complaint to the press council, Natai added that the views taken by Mr. Field is not new.

“I’m not surprised on the nature of the NZ Foreign Minister’s argument. Michael Field, in his reports of Fiji, has made no attempt to provide readers a balanced, fair and accurate report of Fiji’s situation. Everybody deserves to be told the truth and this is something extremely lacking on Mr. Field’s part”.

The Ministry of Information with the assistance of other government agencies also facilitates the entry and departure of foreign media personnel in Fiji.

“Government and certainly Fiji welcomes international media to come here and report on our progress and development. We try to assist them in more ways than one in ensuring that they have access to individuals and organizations who will provide an in-depth and analytical description of Fiji’s situation”.