International media are always welcome
17-Apr-2009 11:46 AM

GOVERNMENT and Military spokesperson Major Neumi Leweni yesterday said that foreign media representatives were most welcome to visit Fiji under the current public emergency regulations.

“In fact, Government has not stopped foreign media representatives prior to the emergency regulations and even under the current circumstances instead they are most welcome to visit Fiji,” he said.

Leweni says it is important for them to understand Fiji’s situation and to report accurately and responsibly.

“It is also important for the foreign media to come and see for themselves that life in the country is moving on as normal, and that the Government and the people of Fiji are together making significant changes for the better,” he said.

He added the current procedure is that foreign media representatives apply firstly to the Permanent Secretary for Information specifically stating the reason and the dates of their visit.

Therefore Leweni added the Permanent Secretary will endorse the applications based on how they have reported about Fiji in the past, if they have, or on the undertaking that they will report accurately and responsibly.

“Moreover the applications will be then forwarded to the Director of Immigration who will process them in accordance with normal immigration procedures,” he said.

Leweni says it is the current practice in any other country that foreign journalists who breach their visa conditions are asked to leave the country therefore Fiji is no exception.

“Journalists who have been deported because they breached the visa conditions would not be allowed back into the country.” he added.