News

Parliament dissolved, election date nears

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and President Jioji Konrote after the announcement of the dissolution of Parliament today. Picture: DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION   Report by WANSOLWARA STAFF President Jioji Konrote has officially dissolved Parliament on the advice of Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, who recently returned from New York. The decision and subsequent announcement was made today in accordance with Section 58(3) of the Fijian Constitution. News of an impending election date also made its round on social media sites this morning with some media organisations reporting that the President would likely issue the Writ of Elections tomorrow and that election will…

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USP Journalism staff, students back moves to reinstate ABC services in the Pacific

The ABC announced in December, 2016 that that it was ending shortwave services. It ceased shortwave broadcasting in the Asia-Pacific region on January 31, 2017. Picture: www.abc.net.au   Report by WANSOLWARA STAFF ABC’s sustained coverage of major events, issues and disasters in the Pacific region has played a vital role in keeping people informed about events that affect their lives. And according to staff and students of The University of the South Pacific’s Journalism Programme, this independent coverage and reporting should continue unabated for the sake of democracy, freedom of speech, economic development and decision-making processes, as well as for humanitarian…

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Rabuka confident of winning seats

SODELPA leader Sitiveni Rabuka says the party is looking at securing at least 28 seats in the forthcoming election. Picture: TWITTER/FILIPE NAIKASO   By SRI KRISHNAMURTHI (Pacific Media Centre/Wansolwara) Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) leader Sitiveni Rabuka is confident of winning government benches in the 2018 general election. SODELPA, the largest opposition party from the 2014 election in Fiji, currently has 15 seats while FijiFirst has 32 and the National Federation Party has three in a 50-seat Parliament. SODELPA was established in 2013 after the dissolution of its predecessor, the then ruling Soqosoqo ni Duavata ni Lewenivanua (SDL) party. “I’m…

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SODELPA confirms 48 provisional candidates

SODELPA has released the names of 48 provisional candidates for the forthcoming election. Picture: sodelpafiji.org   By ADI ANASEINI CIVAVONOVONO The Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) released an updated list of provisionally-selected candidates for the 2018 General Election. In a statement released yesterday, (SODELPA) leader Sitiveni Rabuka confirmed the party would field 51 candidates while three were currently being vetted to ensure they comply with statutory and party requirements. SODELPA has also confirmed that some candidates are yet to be announced given that they still sit on government statutory boards and committees or have close relatives in those positions. Below are…

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Youths open up about election expectations

Some of Fiji's youth are wary about the impact of social media on the forthcoming election. Picture: FILE/USP COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE   By SRI KRISHNAMURTHI (Pacific Media Centre/Wansolwara) It’s wrong to think that the youth in Fiji are unaware of the forthcoming election. They are engaging through social media but want a bit more education on the electoral system in Fiji. “A whole lot of young people are on social media and you can see a lot of campaigning going on via social media, especially by future women parliamentarians. It is creating awareness about them at the same time,” said Epeli…

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Confidence runs high in NFP camp

National Federation Party (NFP) leader Biman Prasad opens up about the impending 2018 Fiji election. Picture: SRI KRISHNAMURTHI   (Pacific Media Centre/Wansolwara) The National Federation Party (NFP) leader, Professor Biman Prasad could find himself in the same position as New Zealand’s deputy prime minister and the leader of the New Zealand First Party Winston Peters, if there is a major swing against the ruling FijiFirst Party. Sri Krishnamurthi talks to the man who might be the kingmaker after the Fiji elections, when they are held later this year. The National Federation Party (NFP) is the oldest political party in Fiji.…

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Leitis in Waiting challenges attitudes

Leitis in Waiting lead protagonist Joey Mataele, left, with film producer and directors, Joe Wilson and Dean Hamer (right), during the press briefing at USP's Oceania Centre in Laucala Bay, Suva. Picture: CHRIS HA'ARABE   By CHRIS HA'ARABE The award-winning documentary, Leitis in Waiting, has come to Fiji with strong messages that challenge attitudes and behaviours towards the transgender minority community. During a press briefing at The University of the South Pacific’s Oceania Centre in Suva yesterday, lead protagonist in the film, Joey Mataele, said there were a lot of untold stories that needed to be shared. “In this film,…

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Fiji media laws aren’t draconian, says former MIDA chief

Veteran journalist now a FijiFirst MP, Matai Akaoula, speaks to Asia Pacific Report's Sri Krishnamurthi at the USP Journalism office. Picture: Sri Krishnamurthi/PMC   (Pacific Media Centre/Wansolwara) The Fiji media laws aren’t as draconian as they are perceived – if one follows rules – Asia Pacific Report’s Sri Krishnamurthi was told by the former chief executive of the Media Industry Development Authority (MIDA). Fiji’s Media Industry Development Decree (MIDD) isn’t the rampant beast that it is widely regarded as being, claims Matai Akaoula, who once served as chief executive of the authority. “Not really, I would say being a media person myself,…

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Sedition, coup-era media law and nerves keep lid on Fiji press

(Pacific Media Centre/Wansolwara) With the date for this year’s second Fiji general election since the 2006 coup yet to be announced, one of the questions is will there be a free media for the campaign? Sri Krishnamurthi in Suva talks to some media commentators who are not optimistic. The frenzy of the forthcoming elections is just starting to hit Fiji, even though the date has yet to be announced, but the elephant in the room is whether the media is going to be free of government interference. “No, definitely not. The combination of threats (such as those faced by Hank Arts – who…

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MOU for a green, clean Pacific

The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding today to support Pacific Island countries' commitment towards environmental stewardship and sustainable growth. Picture: SUPPLIED/SPREP   By WANSOLWARA STAFF A new partnership to support and steer Pacific Island countries towards environmental stewardship and sustainable growth was sealed between the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) after a Memorandum of Understanding was signed today on the sidelines of the 2018 Clean Pacific Roundtable in Suva this week. …

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