Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

Silence in paradise

By Netani Rika - posted Monday, 31 August 2009


These enforcers of the law are no longer in plain clothes and sometimes take on the duty of the censors, deciding what we are permitted to print.

Now we have a situation where it is the police who are the censors.

This means that no story involving the police will see the light of day if it involves corruption or officers breaking the law or even.

Advertisement

Two months ago the police took on a serial offender - a violent robber - as a special constable as part of a Christian Crusade to minister to criminal elements. This man has a number of outstanding cases - I believe there are eight - before the court.

He was to have appeared in court to answer charges relating to one of these cases but was not in court on the day - a clear case of contempt. The magistrate asked the prosecutor why the accused person was not in court.

The prosecutor blamed the Crime Officer at a police station on the outskirts of the capital, Suva.

Infuriated, the magistrate ordered that the accused policeman and the Crime Officer appear in court on Monday morning.

Sensational, great read. But nobody’s read this story because although we wrote it, the censors would not allow publication.

On Monday the court sat and the magistrate called the case. The Crime Officer was there but the accused special constable was nowhere to be seen.

Advertisement

Even more sensational, an even greater read. This story remains unknown to the people of Fiji as does the whereabouts of the accused cop to the court.

This incident illustrates the impunity of the courts to prosecute people who are protected by the regime.

And this is not happening in some African nation. It’s happening four hours from here in your backyard. It’s happening in a nation which you and your friends or relatives visit for its friendly people and sandy beaches.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. Page 2
  4. 3
  5. 4
  6. 5
  7. 6
  8. All

This article is based on an address given by the author to the School of Journalism and Communication at the University of Queensland, Brisbane on Wednesday, August 26, 2009.



Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

8 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Netani Rika is Editior in Chief of The Fiji Times

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Article Tools
Comment 8 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy