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11 June 2008 The Editor Fiji Times Suva Sir I refer to your P 3 article in today’s Fiji Times (11/6/08) headed “Minister attacks reporter”. You state that the two government responses to your front page story of the previous day that claimed rural development projects had stalled because of lack of funds, were contradictory. There is no contradiction. In fact, the reply by Manasa Vaniqi, Permanent Secretary for Provincial Development, in today’s paper discredits your first article that projects had been held up due to lack of funds. Mr Vaniqi says funds for the first quarter were released in February and funds for the second quarter were in the process of being distributed by his Ministry. He says and I quote: “The amount RECEIVED is $1,089,817.” The Finance Permanent Secretary Peceli Vocea was correct when he told your reporter that district administrators had been provided funds for development projects. In view of the above, my claim that your story was irresponsible and had sensationalised the entire issue, still holds. Your first article quoted no sources, nor did it mention a single project that had been held up due to lack of funds. To avoid such mistakes in the future, it may be more judicious to use ‘wise restraints’ and hold articles back until you have the correct information… that is the essence of fair and accurate reporting! Mahendra Chaudhry Minister of Finance, National Planning, Sugar Industry & Public Utilities -End- (No.0899) |
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