FNPF Chief Clueless on National Television

Unfortunately the illegal and treasonous FNPF Chief Aisake Taito does not inspire any semblance of confidence and this came to a head during the recent FNPF Write Down scam.

Check him out for yourself at the 1.35 mark, during Fiji TV's Close Up analysis on the debacle. 

Taito delicately shuffles and reads his scripted lines which should rightly cause observant members to question whether or not he has mastery over the figures (and the background) that he should by now know by heart.

What gives Taito away is the fact that he cannot tell us in plain, simple english what's what.

As all media/entertainment folk know only too well, the camera never ever lies.

Where's that Damned Media Decree?

After assurances last month that the illegal, confounded and totally unnecessary Media Decree would be coming out soon, its emergence in the public sphere remains neither here nor there.

Unsurprisingly while some of the REAL and independent newsrooms remain quiet about the whole sham, two individuals continue to uphold the facade.

The FBC's military supporter and sham of a News Director Stanley Simpson says:

...the people who oppose the interim government cannot be heard.

 “We can not interview them, or we can not use their comments, as the Government has said it has a plan for the country and wants no disturbance to that. That’s the law, as it is now and we follow that. We try to be accurate, we try to be fair, but there is no balance at the moment. When it comes to politics, government issues, we are running what the Government is putting out.”

Stanley Simpson says (he) hopes the media decree can create an environment conducive to responsible reporting, not one that punishes journalists.

While University of the South Pacific's journalism lecturer and military supporter, Shailendra Singh says:

“We do not need a media decree that will curb journalists from reporting freely and openly."

How about just openly and outrightly rejecting all aspects of the Decree altogether guys?

Sharon Jones Learns the Ropes Junta-Style

One and half months on from her illegal appointment, illegal and treasonous Acting Permanent Secretary for Information Sharon Johns' first communication with media professionals tries to wipe the slate clean and warm up an otherwise frosty relationship with the media via "enhanced dialogue".

Only days after that attempt at dialogue with her primary stakeholders, John's has an about-turn and more or less declares war with experienced journalists.

I guess we can safely assume she's been given her lines from her bosses, and we wish all the best in her undoubtedly short-lived boot-licking endeavours:

Focus on younger journalists – Smith Johns
Publish date/time: 07/06/2010

The Acting Permanent Secretary for Information Sharon Smith Johns said it may be time that some old journalists leave Fiji's media industry.

While speaking to Radio New Zealand International on the proposed Media Decree, Johns said it is worth focusing effort on younger journalists.

She said the Media Decree could be in place within a matter of weeks.

Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum earlier confirmed that they are looking at making certain changes to the draft Media Decree.