FIJI: Fiji Media Council upholds Chaudhry complaint

The Fiji Media Council has upheld a complaint by former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry against Fiji Television, saying the channel had "become a party to deception" over a controversial Hindi phrase

Pacific Media Watch
Thursday, March 18, 2004

SUVA (PMW Fiji/Pacific Media Watch): The Fiji Media Council has upheld a complaint by former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry against Fiji Television, saying the channel had "become a party to deception" over a controversial Hindi phrase.

A Fiji TV news item on 20 January 2004 claimed that a Hindi language leaflet distributed by the Fiji Labour Party during  the Tavua  byelection had made a reference to "the government and the indigenous people as having devil powers".

Chaudhry claimed in complaint no 149 that Fiji TV was wrong, it had failed to give him a right of reply and no correction or apology had been made.

He said he had used the phrase in referring to such "human failings as injustice, corruption and racial discrimination". He was referring to "people who had such evil intentions".

Fiji TV responded that it had not directly attributed the "devil powers" statement to Chaudhry and he had been given an opportunity to comment the following day.

The complaint hinged on the meaning of the phrase "shaitaani taakat".

The Media Council's complaints committee listened to both Chaudhry and Fiji TV, consulted a Hindi academic and referred to three Hindi dictionaries for a translation. It also decided to consider the meaning Chaudhry had intended.

The committee ruled that use of a word like shaitaani was unwise, particularly in rural areas.

"Such a term is likely to incite emotions and leave people with the option by attributing whatever interpretation they were inclined to give it. Either, evil or devil," the committee said.

Upholding Chaudhry's complaint, the committee said comments like this could "incite racial tension and it was very unwise of Fiji TV to allow the deception to continue".

Fiji TV should have made it clear who was responsible for the statement - rival National Federation Party politician Pramod Rae.

"In view of the lack of clarity over the term shaitaani and the knowledge that Mr Chaudhry did not make any reference to the indigenous people, Fiji TV should have given him more air time to explain his position," the complaints committee said.

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Date Posted: 3/18/2004