Justice must be seen to be done

The recent incident at the Nasinu Magistrate Court involving five police officers accused of assault and extortion is a worrying example of how easily justice can be compromised when those in uniform abuse their authority. 

Journalists were locked out of the courtroom by a special constable, who falsely claimed a juvenile case was in progress. The accused officers were quietly brought into court through a back entrance, and by the time the media were finally allowed in, only after a CID officer intervened, they had missed most of the proceedings. 

This is no small matter. The accused were not ordinary citizens, but police officers—public servants who are trusted to uphold the law. The public has a right to know how justice is applied when police are in the dock. Attempts to shield them from scrutiny suggest a culture of secrecy still lingers in the force. 

The actions of the officers on duty that day reflect poorly on the Police Force. Blocking media from an open courtroom, misleading them, and escorting an accused officer out a side door while others walked through the front are all signs of preferential treatment. It sends the wrong message: that police officers can bend the rules even when they stand accused. 

We commend the Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu for his swift response. His order for an internal investigation and his clear statement that media must not be obstructed is a step in the right direction. This is the kind of leadership the public wants to see, one that promotes accountability and transparency, not protectionism. 

But the responsibility does not lie with the police alone. The judiciary also has a duty to ensure courtrooms remain open to the public and the press. Silence from court officers when journalists were being kept outside is equally troubling. Justice must not only be done. It must be seen to be done. 

The Fiji Media Association is right to demand answers. Blocking reporters from such a high-profile case undermines confidence in our legal system. The public depends on journalists to report the truth, and denying access weakens trust in both the courts and the police. 

This incident must not be swept under the rug. It is a reminder that our institutions still require reform. The treatment of the media at Nasinu Magistrate Court raises questions about how cases involving police officers are handled and whether others have gone unnoticed. 

We support the call for proper guidelines to be enforced in all courts. Open justice is not optional. It is a right. Uniformed or not, all accused persons must be treated the same. And the press must be allowed to do its job without interference. 

Commissioner Tudravu has shown the will to act. Let this be a turning point for the Force and a signal to all public institutions that transparency cannot be locked out.