MOVING UP
25-Oct-2008 10:28 AM
DESPITE recent police attention on journalists, Fiji has moved up in the world press freedom index published by Reporters Without Borders (RWB), the Paris-based international non-governmental organisation that advocates freedom of the press.
The world press freedom index, released yesterday covers events from September 1, 2007 to September 1, 2008 and lists 173 countries.
Fiji was placed 107 in the last index, but has moved to 79 on par with Albania this year.
The improvement in ranking appears not to match the realities faced by journalists on the ground.
This year journalists were being taken in by police under questionable circumstances over news reports.
Fiji Daily Post reporter Isaac Lal, Fiji Times reporter, Sarafina Salaitoga and Fiji One’s Rachna Nath were taken in for questioning by police this year over various news articles that appeared to offed the interim regime.
RWB report says “military-controlled Fiji was listed at 79, an improvement from its ranking of 107 last year, Tonga 82 compared to 119 last year, and East Timor 65, up from 94 last year.”
This year again Island, Luxemburg, Norway are considered improved countries regarding freedom of press. Turkmenistan, North Korea and Eritrea are listed in the lowest horizontals.
The report says that in recent years United Nations failed control over member countries which results in the violation of human rights and violation of freedom of press and speech.
United States and Russia occupy 36 and 141 horizontals.
New Zealand and Canada were the only countries outside Europe in the top 20 of the 173 countries listed by the Paris-based organisation, Reporters Without Borders.
New Zealand shares seventh with Belgium, Latvia, Slovakia, Sweden and Switzerland on the annual list, released this week.
Two years ago New Zealand was 19th and last year 15th. Canada was 14th , Australia 28th place, the United Kingdom 23rd and the United States 36th. Eritrea was last, ahead of North Korea.
Meanwhile, National Federation Party (NFP) General Secretary, Pramod Rae says there is a lot of room for improvement if authorities abide by the law.
“There is still room for improvement. There are 79 more steps to climb and the press in Fiji should not throw in the towel now. Their everyday work is acid test and they must be commended for their work,” said Rae.
He added that with authorities not following the rule of law, Fiji would still be lingering behind other nations.
“This is indicative that it is an eye opener for the government (authority) and the media to work towards being the best,” Rae said.
“We should be on top of the list but because the authorities fail to follow the constitution which clearly states on the freedom of expression and freedom to information we will still be behind.”
The politic ‘maharishi’ said complaints against the media and press in Fiji should be lowered and the freedom of the media needs to be respected.
“Every time we complain against the media, threatening to sue them and other stuff. This is not on they have their rights too but we tend to think other wise.”
“But the way the media is respected in other countries shows that we are really behind.”
Fiji Labour Party leader Mahendra Chaudhry also welcomed the rankings saying that this was an upbeat for media in the country.
“This is a positive development and the Fiji media should be commended. The ranking has improved and this shows the hard work, the media in Fiji is come over.”
By STAFF REPORTERS |
