'Why don't you go back to Australia?' Fijian prime minister tells reporter to leave the country for asking about media laws ahead of landmark election

  • Fijian prime minister Frank Bainimarama told a reporter to go back to Australia
  • She was asked to leave the country after she questioned the nation's media laws
  • The leader of the FijiFirst party was campaigning ahead of impending election
  • Very little critical reporting of the government has been put to press in Fiji
  • Local reporters allegedly steered clear of asking questions regarding the media 

By Brittany Chain For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 05:11 EST, 11 November 2018 | Updated: 05:11 EST, 11 November 2018

Fijian prime minister Frank Bainimarama told an Australian reporter to leave the country after she questioned the nation's media laws.

With an impending election, SBS reporter Hannah Sinclair was on the ground interviewing Mr Bainimarama about the country's restrictive media laws. 

The current leader told Ms Sinclair journalists are free to criticise the Fijian government, and noted that many publications were already doing so in the lead up to the election.

But within seconds he had a change of heart, telling her to 'go back to Australia' while placing a hand on her shoulder and motioning for her to move along.

'The media has been criticising the government, so what the hell are you talking about?' Mr Bainimarama told Ms Sinclair.

The leader of the FijiFirst party was campaigning for the final time in Lautoka over the weekend, where Mr Bainimarama spoke with foreign journalists.

'Media freedom is here in Fiji, anybody wants to criticise the government, they can criticise the government,' Mr Bainimarama insisted to Ms Sinclair during their heated confrontation.

But media laws have tightened significantly in the nation since Mr Bainimarama took control via a leadership coup in 2006.

Very little critical reporting of the government has been put to press since draconian laws were introduced in 2010.

He told SBS journalist Hannah Sinclair her to 'go back to Australia' while placing a hand on her shoulder  (pictured)

He told SBS journalist Hannah Sinclair her to 'go back to Australia' while placing a hand on her shoulder  (pictured)

Fijian prime minister Frank Bainimarama (pictured) told an Australian reporter to leave the country after she questioned the nation's media laws

Fijian prime minister Frank Bainimarama (pictured) told an Australian reporter to leave the country after she questioned the nation's media laws

Violations of the Media Industry Development Decree carry a five-year prison sentence.   

'The decree will further restrain the media from reporting government and military abuses, for fear of reprisals through a kangaroo court,' Amnesty International's Pacific Researcher Apolosi Bose said when the new laws were proposed.

'Fijian journalists have already been intimidated, threatened and assaulted by the military since media censorship was authorised in April 2009.'

Very little critical reporting of the government has been put to press in Fiji since draconian laws were introduced in 2010. Supporters attended rallies in droves in Mr Bainimarama's name

Very little critical reporting of the government has been put to press in Fiji since draconian laws were introduced in 2010. Supporters attended rallies in droves in Mr Bainimarama's name

Violations of the Media Industry Development Decree carry a five year prison sentence. Supporters attended rallies in droves in Mr Bainimarama's name

Violations of the Media Industry Development Decree carry a five year prison sentence. Supporters attended rallies in droves in Mr Bainimarama's name

'Now they could face up to five years in jail or fines big enough shut down a media outlet, through a complaints system controlled by government and not bound by formal rules of evidence.'  

'Going by past experience, the decree's generic references to national interest and public order simply mean that the media will not be allowed to criticize Fiji's leaders, members of the security forces, or their supporters and associates,' 

Local reporters allegedly steered clear of asking questions regarding the media laws. 

 Mr Bainimarama has been the leader of the nation since he won a coup in 2006. Supporters attended rallies in droves in Mr Bainimarama's name

 Mr Bainimarama has been the leader of the nation since he won a coup in 2006. Supporters attended rallies in droves in Mr Bainimarama's name

Advertisement

Fijian prime minister tells reporter to leave the country for asking about media laws

Most watched News videos

Comments 1

Share what you think

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

Add your comment

What's This?

By posting your comment you agree to our house rules.