Over-Sensationalised!
p. 18 · Read in the full issue
SUVA, Sept. 21.
OUR Earthquake Day (reportec on another page) was tragic enough; but neither in th( number of casualties nor in the ex tent of the damage was it compar able with January 28, 1952, wher the hurricane struck.
For this reason there is resent ment and anger over some of tin extraordinary mis-statements tha have been made in Australian pres: and radio “news.” None of thesi sensational stories originated fron accredited news sources in Fiji; tin blame aparently lies with Aus tralian tendency to sensationalism More than once, Australian broad casts have led to widespread suspicions in Fiji that the Govern ment and the local press (presum ably in horrid alliance) are sup pressing alarming facts connected with the earthquake.
This has been ended by detailed and specific denials of various misi statements.
The reaction has markedly lowered Australia’s prestige as : source of reliable news. Equall;. marked has been the increase* prestige of New Zealand newspaper and broadcasts, which for the mos part have been painstaking!;! factual in dealing with Fiji’s lates calamity.