DPP to file appeal against decision of court to acquit Fiji Times Ltd and others in sedition trial

DPP to file appeal against decision of court to acquit Fiji Times Ltd and others in sedition trial

By Semi Turaga
24/05/2018
Fiji Times Limited, Publisher Hank Arts, Editor in Chief Fred Wesley, Nai Lalakai Editor Anare Ravula and contributor Josaia Waqabaca

Following a review of the Summing Up and Judgment in the recently decided Fiji Times case, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Christopher Pryde has decided to file an appeal against the decision of the court to acquit Fiji Times Limited, Publisher Hank Arts, contributor Josaia Waqabaca, Editor in Chief Fred Wesley and Nai Lalakai Editor Anare Ravula.

Pryde says in their view the court has made a number of fundamental errors in its interpretation of the law and they now have conflicting High Court decisions in Fiji which require clarification from the Court of Appeal.

He adds this was a case that concerned not only the boundaries of freedom of expression by a media organisation but also the rights of vulnerable minority groups in Fiji to lead lives in harmony with their neighbours and free from unlawful discrimination.

Pryde says the court agreed that the State had shown there was a criminal case to answer but in their view the court failed to give adequate weight to the constitutional limitations as they relate to what is commonly referred to as “hate speech”.

He says freedom of expression should never be used to protect advocacy for hate speech.

Pryde stresses it is important that the courts are engaged in establishing the correct balance between freedoms of expression on the one hand and the protections afforded by the Constitution that give people the right to live in harmony with each other and be free from unlawful discrimination.

FEATURE NEWS
Ratu Tevita Mara says being a leader is to uplift people’s lives
Being a leader is to uplift people’s lives. That is the comment from the newly installed Tui Lau, Sau Ni Vanua O Lau and Tui Nayau, Ratu Tevita M...
4 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Police special constable charged with assault
A Special Constable has been charged with one count of Assault Causing Actual Bodily Harm after he allegedly assaulted a man in Suva last ...
3 hours ago

Fijians to benefit from faster First Home Initiative Grant processing with new digital portal
In a major step to improve housing services, the Ministry of Housing has launched Fiji’s first digital portal for the First Home Ownership ...
3 hours ago

Evangeline Kumar – from walking the tightrope to now doing solo hair hang act during VOU Fijian Flying Circus
The VOU Fijian Flying Circus now underway in Suva is not only dazzling crowds with flips, drama, juggling, the Fijian village clown and Fijian flair, ...
4 hours ago

China donates $100,000 worth of aid to Lau following Tui Nayau installation
Following the installation of the Tui Nayau, Sau ni Vanua o Lau, na Tui Lau, Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara, the Ambassador of China to Fiji, Zhou Jian, ...
5 hours ago

Charge against Bainimarama amended in sacked Police officers case
The charge against former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, in the case where he is charged alongside former Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho for ...
5 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Professor Prasad on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
The show will focus on the 2025/2026 National Budget.
1 day ago

Tui Nayau and Tui Lau Installation
The ceremony for the installation of the Tui Nayau Sau ni Vanua o Lau will be held tomorrow, while the installation ceremony of the Tui Lau will be held in Tubou on Thursday.
3 days ago

CFL 40th Birthday
CFL’s 40th Anniversary celebrations to culminate with free concert at Albert Park on ...
6 days ago

TOP