People who hide behind fake names in cyberspace and attack the media for doing their jobs are cowards, says Acting Prime Minister Semi Koroilavesau.

He was commenting on the death threat made against Fiji Sun staff members on a Facebook account. Earlier, someone had threatened to burn down the newspaper. Mr Koroilavesau said these so-called keyboard warriors were gutless perpetrators whose only agenda was to cause trouble and create uncertainty.

Speaking directly to them, he said: “Why can’t you be bold enough and talk in public and face the consequences?”

Mr Koroilavesau said he had read the Fiji Sun article and called on the person involved to reveal his/her identity.

He said people using fake accounts and making threats were rabble-rousers and a public nuisance.

They were not prepared to face the consequences of their actions, he added.

He said if they were not ready to show their identity, they should stop spreading hate and lies. Some of those involved were from overseas but were using fake accounts and fake identities.

Fiji, he said, had no place for these people. Police are investigating the death and burn threats.

The alleged death threat perpetrator has been identified. He uploaded a photograph of 27 Fiji Sun staff members and said: “1 sniper should take them out one by one for every year a bullet each.”

Peter Lomas, the Fiji Sun publisher and chief executive officer, said as a news organisation the Fiji Sun was reluctant to launch legal action against people speaking out on issues or critical of the Fiji Sun. But, Mr Lomas said it would do so against people making violent or vile threats against this newspaper or its staff members.

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

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