Tabuya slams 'unfair' media reporting

Minister for Information Lynda Tabuya has called on mainstream media in Fiji to report responsibly and provide proper context, while the Opposition claims coverage remains one-sided.

Ms Tabuya made the remarks in Parliament on Tuesday during debate on the Government’s strategies to counter misinformation and disinformation.

She cited a recent report on a broken lift at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital, saying it lacked context.

“The breaking down of the lift happened at 2.30, I think it was early morning, and the Ministry moved fast to rectify it throughout the day and then managed to get it fixed.

“Lifts break, it happens, but we asked the media to report fairly and at least get a statement from the Ministry of Health,” she said.

“It was certainly put out to embarrass the Ministry.”

Ms Tabuya also warned that leaking confidential Police information amounts to a crime under “malinformation”, which she described as true information shared with the intent to cause harm.

Opposition Member Semi Koroilavesau raised concerns about unequal media coverage, saying the Opposition’s voice is often not heard.

Ms Tabuya acknowledged the concern and said she would raise it with the Fiji Media Association.

“I will certainly raise that with them so that when they do interview Ministers or the Government, they also seek your opinion on the matter,” she said.

The Government last month launched the SAUTU Counter Disinformation Framework to help identify and respond to false information more quickly.

A fact-checking workshop, supported by the Australian High Commission and the Australian Associated Press, is scheduled for next week.