The Fijian Media Association (FMA) has raised serious concerns about the safety of journalists following a shocking incident in which FBC reporter Apenisa Waqairadovu was assaulted by a convicted murderer outside a courtroom in Suva. This incident underscores the FMA’s assertion that law enforcement has failed to provide adequate protection for media personnel operating in judicial settings.
Waqairadovu suffered injuries to his arms and hands when Sairusi Cinaturaga, recently sentenced for murdering his partner’s one-year-old child, attacked him while handcuffed. Eyewitness reports indicate that Cinaturaga threatened Waqairadovu and forcefully pushed him down a staircase as a police officer, present to oversee the area, did not intervene effectively to prevent the assault.
The FMA highlighted that this assault reflects a troubling ongoing trend of violence against journalists covering court proceedings. They noted a similar incident in August involving another convicted murderer who tried to attack reporters outside the courthouse, emphasizing the urgent need for improved security measures to protect those tasked with reporting on judicial matters.
“This disturbing trend must be addressed immediately,” the FMA declared, expressing their disappointment over the lack of notable improvements in security protocols despite numerous appeals for better protection. The organization stressed the vital role journalists play in fostering transparency and accountability within Fiji’s justice system and insisted that they should be able to carry out their duties without the threat of violence.
In response to these alarming developments, the FMA has called on the police to develop and enforce more stringent security measures. Their recommendations include creating secure perimeters during prisoner transport, increasing police visibility around court exits during high-risk cases, and ensuring that offenders are closely monitored in public areas.
The safety of journalists is essential for upholding the rule of law and informing the public. The FMA’s plea to the Fiji Police Force for a thorough review and enhancement of security protocols at courthouses is a crucial step toward safeguarding the media and protecting the integrity of the justice system. Such enhancements would contribute to a safer environment for journalists, enabling them to perform their important work without fear.