Fiji's newspaper editor deported to Australia
26/2/2008 17:23
Russell Hunter, editor in chief of Fiji Sun, a daily newspaper in Fiji,
has been declared a prohibited immigrant by the Fiji interim government, the
Suva- based PACNEWS reported today.
"This declaration follows an
investigation by relevant authorities which, clearly established that Mr. Hunter
was conducting himself in a manner prejudicial to the peace, defence, public
safety, public order, security and stability of the sovereign state of the Fiji
Islands," said a statement issued by the office of the defence and national
security minister.
"As the recipient of a work permit from the Government of
Fiji, it was incumbent upon Mr. Hunter to be vigilant of his status as a foreign
national resident and working in Fiji," it said.
But the statement fell short
of explaining what the newspaper executive did to warrant his status as a
prohibited immigrant.
Hunter's wife, a Papua New Guinean national, and their
daughter have been given 14 days to leave the country, the PACNEWS
reported.
Following the defence ministry statement, Interim Prime Minister
Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama issued another statement, assuring the nation that
media freedom was secure and guaranteed.
He maintained that while the
government's commitment to media freedom stands, the media must recognize that
there are limitations to constitutional guarantees on media freedom and freedom
of the press.
Xinhua
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