Another one leaves the FT
More changes at the top at the Fiji Times, we hear. Finance Manager Venkteshwar Permal told colleagues on Friday he has followed his boss, publisher/general manager Hank Arts, in resigning.
Mr Permal joined the Fiji Times after a long career at PwC. He appears to have decided to move on after fewer than two years at the Motibhai group newspaper
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It comes amid the continuing turnover of Fiji Times journalists.
The latest leaving, we hear: Sailosi Batiratu, editor of the Sunday Times; Lice Movono, senior digital journalist; and Mere Naleba, journalist.
Mr Arts, it is believed, will stay on until his successor is found and is in place. But his successor’s job, as it was advertised yesterday in the Times, is being downgraded to general manager only, with no editorial involvement.
Which is surprising some as the core business of a newspaper is journalism.
But the changing JD at the top of the Times is in line with the successful strategy of Fiji Times lawyers in the recent sedition trial. They argued that former TVNZ/Fiji TV executive Mr Arts had no involvement or responsibility in the Nai Lalakai case.
The decision of the judge who found the Fiji Times and Mr Arts not guilty is now being appealed by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Kava business ways changing
Interesting change coming up in the booming kava business.
An island known for its kava supplies to business people in Suva - think Kadavu, people - has formed its own Kava Farmers Cooperative. The aim is buy all kava on the island and cut out the “middle men”,
To start off the cooperative each district on the island contributed $10,000 each.
Between the Lines has been reliably told that a new pounding machine had been donated. Plus an expert is providing some expertise. Those who want to buy kava from the island will buy from the co-operative.
This could be a blow to Suva kava business people who buy kava from the island and sell it in Suva. But kava growers on Kadavu hope it means a better return for them.
Meanwhile, in Lau
BTL hears 10 Police officers slipped away on naval vessel RFNS Kula.
Destination: Central and Southern Lau. The trip to these islands, it is believed, is a follow up on the packets of drugs washed ashore on some of the islands.
