Foreign Correspondence

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Reporters Deported After Censorship Strengthening in Fiji ..
By Sarah E. Treptow .. 13 April 2009
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

SUVA, Fiji - The Fiji interim regime has ordered the reporter of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation,
Sean Dorney, to leave Fiji immediately because they are unhappy with his reporting. Mr. Dorney was
contacted by information ministry officials after he reported the absence of political news from
newspapers which have been subjected to new censorship since the constitution was abrogated.

Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith has urged Mr. Dorney not to take any unnecessary
risks. Mr. Smith said, "He should follow the request or the instruction of the Fiji authorities however so
obnoxious he might regard those to be, because they are impinging upon his capacity to do his
job as a journalist." Mr. Dorney has said he much prefers to be on a plane than in the military barracks.

The government has also arrested and begun proceedings to deport a television journalist, Edwin
Nand. Mr. Nand's detention is based upon Fiji TV's transmission of reports of the detention and
deportation of Mr. Dorney to overseas news services. The interim regime says such transmissions
are now illegal. A New Zealand television reporter and cameraman are also facing deportation.

Journalists in Fiji have been told not to publish or broadcast stories that present the reinstatement
of the military government in a negative light, and police censors are now in newsrooms across
Suva to check on the stories intended to be run. The Permanent Secretary for Information has
been given almost total control over what is printed or broadcast in Fiji. The penalty under the
Emergency Regulations for not obeying may be an order to cease all activities and operations.

Commodore Bainimarama says he hopes everyone will follow the restrictions.

http://www.impunitywatch.com/impunity_watch_oceania/2009/04/reporters-deported-after-censorship-strengthening-in-fiji.html

Sean Dorney was just interviewed on the Australian ABC he said that the Fiji did not know anything of the
last 5-6 days, as after imposition of the restrictions they have stopped reporting most all government news.