EDITORIAL: Why All Parties Need To Open Their Campaign Meetings To The Media

While speaking in Sakoca for a campaign meet­ing, the general secretary of FijiFirst Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum talked about a topical issue- the need for all political parties to open their campaign meetings to the media.

He said there were some political parties who spread lies about Government policies during their campaign meetings and this was why they do not open those meet­ings to the media.

He said all FijiFirst campaign meetings were open to the media. Every campaign meeting held by the Fi­jiFirst leader Voreqe Bainimarama was also streamed live on social media.

Other political parties need to take their cue from the ruling Party.

There has been too many instances when people have accused political parties, especially the National Fed­eration Party and SODELPA, of racial vilification. They are accused of lying about Government policies and Government’s debt.

In fact, a NFP candidate is accused of even religious vilification.

All of this would be avoided if these political parties practised what they preach. They can start by sending out a list of all their campaign meetings to all media houses.

All these political parties are also very tech savvy. It would be in their best interest to live stream all their campaign meetings. Not only will they have evidence of what was said in their meetings, they will also reach a wider audience.

FijiFirst has led the charge. All their major campaign rallies have been live streamed.

No other political party has live streamed any question and answer session during any of their campaign meet­ings.

Fiji Sun was stopped from covering NFP pocket meet­ings. NFP candidates informed reporters that they have been told not to speak to Fiji Sun.

It is a shame, really.

For the sake of transparency that all political parties scream for, open all your meetings to the media and where possible, live stream all of them.

Feedback: jyotip@fijisun.com.fj