- INTELLIGENT RESISTANCE -
Free. Fair. Fearless. Intelligentsiya is made up of Fiji Islanders who are libertarians in their own way and who cherish the free flow of news, ideas and information and will peacefully resist any attempts by the country's military rulers to stifle free speech. intelligentsiya will also bear witness, report and discuss human rights abuses by the authorities.
September 03, 2012
Fiji people too afraid to speak out on new constitution: women’s NGO
Posted at 20:24 on 02 September, 2012 UTC
The co-ordinator of the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre says many people are too afraid to offer their opinions on the new constitution because police are sitting in on submissions hearings.
Shamima Ali says the refusal by local newspapers to print a paid advertisement expressing women’s rights groups’ concerns about the constitution-making process confirms the persistence of censorship.
She says instead of allowing free and open debate around the constitution as promised, the interim regime is, indirectly, stopping people from speaking out.
“The fact that there are police officers in plain clothes who are sitting during submissions and taking copious notes and people who are around there are scared to speak out and say fully what they want to say because they know the police officers are there.”
Shamima Ali says a police officer refused to leave a youth group meeting after the young people asked him to leave because they didn’t feel they could speak freely.
NGOs claim self censorship by newspapers
Publish date/time: 03/09/2012 [08:20]
The Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre has raised concerns on freedom of expression in Fiji following claims that the major local newspapers were unable to print a paid advertisement which raised certain questions on the constitution review process.
This is in relation to a press statement released about three weeks ago which was covered extensively by Fijivillage about the women’s NGOs raising concern about the makeup and appointment of the members of the Constituent Assembly, immunity, the non-negotiable principles and claiming that there is an environment that restricts full participation and debate in a constitution making process.
Shamima Ali now said with the media outlets not running their statement, the media is not free.
However, Fijivillage covered the earlier statement on the NGOs concerns extensively and also carried balanced reports with the response from Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama.
We asked Ali about this and although there is nothing in Ali’s statement about the NGOs concerns being highlighted on all CFL stations and our website, fijivillage.com, she claimed that it is in the statement.
Stay with us as we will contact the two major newspaper companies today as Ali claimed that one refused to print the advertisement while the other wanted to have a meeting to dilute the contents of the advertisement.
Story by: Vijay Narayan & Gwen McGoon
Tourism Fiji and Air Pacific Announce Appointment of New U.S. Public Relations Partner
By Ogilvy Public Relations
Published: Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2012 - 12:06 pm
NADI, Fiji, Aug. 21, 2012 -- /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Tourism Fiji and Air Pacific Ltd are pleased to announce the appointment of Ogilvy Public Relations as their new PR partner for all North America and United States communications, respectively. Ogilvy PR will work to promote both brands through a strategic mix of media relations, digital communications, and consumer marketing initiatives. Work begins in the fall.
"Ogilvy PR was selected based on highly competitive criteria following a tender process that garnered more than 30 expressions of interest," stated Michael Meade, the acting CEO of Tourism Fiji.
"We were impressed by the team's experience in destination marketing, creative approach to solving tourism challenges and proven ability to implement integrated campaigns," added Meade. "The firm demonstrated a true understanding of our core mission and we believe they will be instrumental in taking the Tourism Fiji brand to new heights."
Dave Pflieger, managing director and CEO of Air Pacific and Chairman of Tourism Fiji noted, "We and Tourism Fiji have a number of exciting developments in 2013 – a complete airline re-brand to 'Fiji Airways,' brand new A330-200 aircraft to serve the Nadi – Los Angeles route, and new products and services. We wanted the right partner in the U.S. who could help elevate the new 'Fiji Airways' brand to the next level. We felt that Ogilvy PR had the perfect combination of experience, strategy and creativity to get us where we want to be. And we believe that the skill set they bring will benefit both Air Pacific, soon to be Fiji Airways, and Tourism Fiji as we work closely together to build the brand of Fiji and increase awareness in North America of this amazing South Pacific Island destination."
Ogilvy PR will also provide public relations support to enhance the brands among potential visitors and tourism officials as well as support and counsel for events, trade shows, partnerships and sponsorships. Led by the agency's Consumer Marketing practice, which is led by Leslie Capstraw on the West Coast, the contract will be serviced from Ogilvy PR's Los Angeles office. Ogilvy PR is part of Ogilvy & Mather, one of the largest marketing communications companies in the world. In 2012, O&M was named Cannes Lions Network of the Year and Most Effective Agency Network by the Effie Global Effectiveness Index.
The Tourism Fiji appointment follows an extensive destination marketing audit completed in late 2011 that concluded there was a pressing need for a globally standardized Fiji brand that could be adopted and implemented in local markets. The Air Pacific assignment was initiated to help support the airline's re-brand and new aircraft deliveries in 2013.
Michael Law, managing director of Ogilvy PR West commented, "Successful tourism communications and nation branding demands a deep understanding and vibrant storytelling of everything from cuisine, to arts, culture, unique experiences, history, architecture, and of course, airlines. Ogilvy PR is so very fortunate to support Tourism Fiji and Air Pacific, given its rich array of treasures."
SOURCE Ogilvy Public Relations
Published: Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2012 - 12:06 pm
NADI, Fiji, Aug. 21, 2012 -- /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Tourism Fiji and Air Pacific Ltd are pleased to announce the appointment of Ogilvy Public Relations as their new PR partner for all North America and United States communications, respectively. Ogilvy PR will work to promote both brands through a strategic mix of media relations, digital communications, and consumer marketing initiatives. Work begins in the fall.
"Ogilvy PR was selected based on highly competitive criteria following a tender process that garnered more than 30 expressions of interest," stated Michael Meade, the acting CEO of Tourism Fiji.
"We were impressed by the team's experience in destination marketing, creative approach to solving tourism challenges and proven ability to implement integrated campaigns," added Meade. "The firm demonstrated a true understanding of our core mission and we believe they will be instrumental in taking the Tourism Fiji brand to new heights."
Dave Pflieger, managing director and CEO of Air Pacific and Chairman of Tourism Fiji noted, "We and Tourism Fiji have a number of exciting developments in 2013 – a complete airline re-brand to 'Fiji Airways,' brand new A330-200 aircraft to serve the Nadi – Los Angeles route, and new products and services. We wanted the right partner in the U.S. who could help elevate the new 'Fiji Airways' brand to the next level. We felt that Ogilvy PR had the perfect combination of experience, strategy and creativity to get us where we want to be. And we believe that the skill set they bring will benefit both Air Pacific, soon to be Fiji Airways, and Tourism Fiji as we work closely together to build the brand of Fiji and increase awareness in North America of this amazing South Pacific Island destination."
Ogilvy PR will also provide public relations support to enhance the brands among potential visitors and tourism officials as well as support and counsel for events, trade shows, partnerships and sponsorships. Led by the agency's Consumer Marketing practice, which is led by Leslie Capstraw on the West Coast, the contract will be serviced from Ogilvy PR's Los Angeles office. Ogilvy PR is part of Ogilvy & Mather, one of the largest marketing communications companies in the world. In 2012, O&M was named Cannes Lions Network of the Year and Most Effective Agency Network by the Effie Global Effectiveness Index.
The Tourism Fiji appointment follows an extensive destination marketing audit completed in late 2011 that concluded there was a pressing need for a globally standardized Fiji brand that could be adopted and implemented in local markets. The Air Pacific assignment was initiated to help support the airline's re-brand and new aircraft deliveries in 2013.
Michael Law, managing director of Ogilvy PR West commented, "Successful tourism communications and nation branding demands a deep understanding and vibrant storytelling of everything from cuisine, to arts, culture, unique experiences, history, architecture, and of course, airlines. Ogilvy PR is so very fortunate to support Tourism Fiji and Air Pacific, given its rich array of treasures."
SOURCE Ogilvy Public Relations
VP receives Fiji PM
(WAM) / 2 September 2012
His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, received Commodore Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, Prime Minister of Fiji.
The meeting discussed ways enhancing investment relations in tourism and air transport. Mr. Bainimarama praised the UAE as a major investor in the said sectors and his country has a fertile investment and economically feasible environment. .
For his part, Shaikh Mohammed expressed the UAE’s interest in building relations of cooperation and friendship with sisterly and friendly countries for serving mutual interests.
The prime minister of Fiji opened today the first embassy for his country in Abu Dhabi, which is also the first in the Gulf Region.
The audience was attended by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, His Highness Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Aviation Authority and Chairman of Emirates Group, His Highness Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation, and a number of senior officials.
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