FIJI: NZ PM concerned over deportation of TV3 journalist from Fiji

New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark has expressed concern over the expulsion of television reporter Jeff Hampton who is on a Fiji blacklist apparently over a four-year-old news story

Pacific Media Watch
Monday, May 24, 2004

AUCKLAND (TV3/Pacific Media Watch): New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark has expressed concern over the expulsion of  television reporter Jeff Hampton who is on a Fiji blacklist apparently over a four-year-old news story, TV3 reported tonight.

TV3 reporter Hampton discovered he was on a Fiji government prohibited immigrant list yesterday when he arrived with his family at Nadi international airport for a holiday.

He was ordered by an immigration official to catch a plane back to Auckland.

Hampton told TV3 the official advised him: "You cannot come in here. You have to go on the next plane out of here. It is leaving in 30 minutes - go or you will be arrested."

TV3 cited a controversial news report by Hampton about a military exercise in Fiji in 2000 and showed a brief clip from the story.

Foreign Minister Phil Goff said: "I think it is unfortunate that Fiji has taken that view. Jeff Hampton was a journalist doing his job, reporting the news as he saw it.

"To have a blacklist with his name on it after all this time is really unsupportable."

Auckland-based Agence France-Presse Pacific correspondent Michael Field, who has been banned by Fiji three times, said the action "looks silly" for a country struggling to improve its international image.

"They should be watching for money-launderers, conmen, carpetbaggers and the various other people they give expression to at the annual [Pacific Islands] Forum summits," he said.

"I have yet to hear of a case in the Pacific where a journalist has overthrown the government of the place."

Fiji Immigration Director Joe Browne told TV3: "Until I get instructions to take [Hampton's name] off [the list] or he applies for reconsideration, his name will be there".

Hampton said he would apply to have his name struck off the blacklist.

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Date Posted: 5/24/2004