Broadcaster suspended for inciting antagonism

FIJI – The Fiji Broadcasting Corporation (FBC) has sacked a suspended producer Nemani Bainivalu whose television programme Wasea Bhasha is being investigated for allegedly inciting communal antagonism.

The FBC’s chief executive Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said Bainivalu’s contract was terminated following an internal FBC investigation, with Bainivalu admitting he acted irresponsibly.

Both Sayed-Khaiyum and Bainivalu have been reported to the police and the Media Industry Development Authority for allegedly broadcasting content which was demeaning to indigenous Fijians.

The police have completed their investigation and given their findings to the public prosecutor.

MIDA is reportedly still investigating the complaint which had been lodged by concerned citizens.

Last month, Bainivalu issued an apology over the programme and Sayed-Khaiyum was quoted as saying any suggestion of incitement was not correct.

The opposition leader Ro Teimumu Kepa said the apology was of no consequence and that Sayed-Khaiyum should resign.

“So we would like him to take responsibility for what has happened with one of their stations, and in this regard he should do the honourable thing,” she said.

- RNZI