Fiji cracks down on free speech

In an effort to stamp out media freedom, Bainimarama ordered the ABC’s transmitters to be turned off in Suva and Nadi so that Radio Australia can no longer be broadcast. Non-Fijian journalists stationed in the country have been deported, including one of the ABC’s foreign correspondents. Local news outlets haven’t escaped the watchful eye of Bainimarama either, with all organisations now required to submit news reports to the government prior to release so that they can be approved. It is also believed that internet cafes are being screened by government officials.

Bainimarama declared on New Zealand radio that the moves were necessary in order to achieve political change in the country. "We want to do these changes, these reforms," he said. "The last thing we want is opposition to these reforms throughout. We will now decide what is going to be done."