Concern over press laws

Press, 24 December 1985, Page 8

Concern over press laws

NZPA Suva Concern at Fiji Government moves towards presslicensing laws was expressed at the annual meeting of Newspapers of Fiji, Ltd. The company, which publishes the daily “Fiji Sun,” “Sunday Sun” and Fijian language newspaper “Siga Rarama,” declared total opposition to any such move. It passed a resolution in which it said freedom of the press is a cornerstone of democracy. The Fiji Government’s development plan for the

years 1986-1990 says the Government will consult the private news-media on the idea of introducing press licensing laws. Newspapers of Fiji general manager, Mr Jim Carney, said he found the proposals They must have been endorsed at the highest levels because the development plan was signed by the Prime Minister, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, and the Minister for Economic Development, Per Stinson. he said. Ths. “Fiji Sun” and “Sun-

day Sun” J editor, Peter Lomas, said he had sought details from the Government but was still waiting for a reply. . He had emphasised that the proposals contradicted earlier Government statements saying it did not propose to erode the freedom of the press.

The meeting passed a resolution noting that press licensing had been adopted only in totalitarian and Communist States and called on the Government to delete Ijhe proposals.