International condemnation of Fiji broadcast changes

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Updated November 24, 2009 10:02:08

Fiji's bid to reorganise the country's broadcast spectrum has drawn criticism from Australia and New Zealand's foreign ministers. The foreign ministers expressed concern at the recent annoucement that Fiji plans to reorganise its broadcast spectrum which they fear may make further inroads into the country's media freedom.

Interim Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has issued temporary licences after having cancelled all of the existing licences - and we'll hear from him in just a moment. Right now, TV and radio stations are still on air on temporary licences, but there's no certainty they'll be awarded one in the future.

There are now concerns the latest decree will mean further restrictions on media and reporting in the island nation.

Presenter: Campbell Cooney, Pacific Correspondent
Speaker: Stephen Smith, Australian Foreign Minister; Nick Naidu, Coalition for Democracy in Fiji; John Westland, Radio Australia's manager of rebroadcasts

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