You can ask the authorities. This was the response from USP researcher Jope Tarai when asked why a prominent newspaper did not face punishment for regularly publishing negative articles against the Government.

Mr Tarai was replying to a question on his claim that media was restricted in the lead-up to the 2018 General Elections at the European- Union-funded Media, Democracy and the Digital Age Conference at Suva’s Grand Pacific Hotel.

“There were many negative stories against the ruling party and other parties got large coverage in that particular paper, yet they faced no repercussions,” said Arnold Chanel from Strategic Communications firm Vatis.

“It is, therefore, incorrect to claim that the media was restricted in the lead-up to the election.”

Mr Chanel said because there was no backlash from the incumbent Government, it could be determined that the media was, indeed, free and fair.

This was also evidenced by the report provided by the Multinational Observer Group on the conduct of the 2018 General Election.

Edited by Epineri Vula