Fiji shuts down ABC Radio Australia broadcasts

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ABC Radio Australia transmitters have been shutdown in Suva and Nadi. [ABC]

Last Updated: Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:45:00 +1000

Fiji's military-led government has forced the shutdown of ABC Radio Australia's local FM transmitters.

Since Fiji's president scrapped the constitution last Friday, and the interim government began enforcing censorship on local media outlets, Radio Australia has been been one of the few remaining sources of unfettered news and current affairs available in the country.

But this morning officers from Fiji's Ministry of Information, accompanied by soldiers, escorted local technicians to the ABC's transmitters in Suva and Nadi and ordered both of them to be shutdown.

Local sources have since confirmed Radio Australia is off the air in both locations, but is still transmitting to Fiji and the Pacific on its shortwave service.

The head of Australian Broadcasting Corporation's International Operations, Murray Green, has told Radio Australia's Pacific Beat program the forced shutdown of the transmitters is a disappointing move.

"The notion that one can have a press that only reports part of what's happening, and avoiding reporting other things is a notion of the press and the media that we certainly don't share," he said.

"We look forward to the opportunity of being able to re-engage in Fiji, in the very near future."

The shutdown follows the expulsion of ABC Correspondent Sean Dorney.

Censorship concern

Interim Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama says he's trying to make Fiji a better place.

"As I've said, all you need to do is ask me and I'll give you the answers," he said.

But local journalists are being watched by police, foreign journalists have been deported and there are reports internet cafes are being forced to shut.

Fiji TV reporter Edwin Nand was released on Wednesday after 36 hours in police custody.

Fiji TV's lawyer, Tanya Waqanika, says tight restrictions are in place.

"We've all been told that we cannot make comments on political or publish or broadcast political comments."

The military has told Mr Nand he can't return to work.

Law president released

Meanwhile, the President of the Fiji Law Society Dorsami Naidu has been released from detention.

He spent 24 hours in custody where he says he was threatened with charges of sedition.

Interim Prime Minister Commodore Bainimarama and his main spokesman have both denied publicly that anyone has been detained.