Freedom of

Other letters From: The Fiji Times Freedom of the Press

Sir

It is commendable that both dailies published the full text of the Prime Minister (Sitiveni Rabuka’s) keynote address for the World Press Freedom Day.

Let’s take a look at what was said.

Granted that certain information deserves protection from disclosure, such as state secrets, if it was not for the Freedom of Information Act, the United States government would still be sup pressing the full facts behind the (John F) Kennedy assassination, atomic testing on humans, the after-effects of Agent Orange defoliant spraying and myriad other

unpalatable secrets.

Who was breaking the rules?

The format of “Question Time” in par liament appears stilted and not extempora neous responses to the issues.

Like they say in Washington, “spin doctors” are specialists in damage control.

Respect for cultural traditions is vital and sets Fiji apart from many other coun tries.

But to cite governments such as

Malaysia and Singapore as paradigms of

progressive societies is questionable.

The operative concept there is confor mity to a homogeneous state image.

Corporal punishment and capital sentenc

ing are bulwarks to the statue quo.

What has emerged as the real mirror of the people’s view is right here in this sec tion of the newspaper, not the ministry Press release.

Thank God for the Fiji Constitution which endows individual freedoms on the citizens of Fiji.

We are cognizant of the reasonable restraints on exercising those liberties for, as once stated by a US Supreme Court Justice, your right to swing your fist stops at the tip of the other person’s nose.

Steve Hallcy.

Suva Fiji