Departure of Fiji TV CEO Tevita Gonelevu and Head of Content Tanya Waqanika was part of “standard practice” taken during restructuring of organisations, according to comments from the station’s board.
Photo / MaiLife
PFF, Rarotonga, COOK ISLANDS
Wednesday, 17th December 2014 -
The departure of two leading executives from Fiji TV is raising concerns at the Pacific Freedom Forum about more interference in the country's media.
"Fiji TV is controlled by a public company and the reasons for their departure should be properly made public," says PFF Chair Titi Gabi.
"It is curious that the chief executive officer was only hired a little over a year ago, and has gone already."
Fiji TV CEO Tevita Gonelevu previously acted as Company Secretary for Fiji Holdings Limited, with controlling shares owned by a mixture of provincial, chiefly and landowner shareholders, among others.
No reasons were given for his departure, or that of Head of Content Tanya Waqanika. FHL Chief Executive and Fiji TV board member Nouzab Fareed confirmed the departures, describing them as a "standard approach" in restructuring a company.
Some media however reported the pair lost their jobs because of controversy over the loss of exclusive rights to world rugby broadcasts, with supporters claiming there was nothing they could do after a law change earlier this year.
PFF-Co Chair Monica Miller said the departure raised "further concerns" about continued impacts on the integrity of Fiji TV.
"Earlier restructuring moves have seen the departure of key staff, to the point now where the head of news has to take over."
"Are the public, whom FHL represents, getting the information they need?"
PFF is calling on FHL and Fiji TV to put impacts from the restructuring to an independent review, including delivery of news and information over airwaves that are a public asset.
LINKS
Major changes made at Fiji TV
http://www.mailife.com.fj/major-changes-made-at-fiji-tv/
Fiji TV boss removed, Smith is acting CEO
http://fijilive.com/news/2014/12/fiji-tv-boss-removed-smith-is-acting-ceo/60015/
Major changes within Fiji Television senior management
http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=289298
New appointees at Fiji TV
http://www.fbc.com.fj/fiji/25343/new-appointees-at-fiji-tv
Poor performance, 7s saga lead to termination of two Fiji TV executives
http://fijisun.com.fj/2014/12/17/poor-performance-7s-saga-lead-to-termination-of-two-fiji-tv-executives/
CONTACTS
PFF CHAIR | Titi Gabi | PNGEdge.com | Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea | PO Box 7776, Boroko, NCD, PNG | Mob: +675 70686875 |titi.gabipng@gmail.com
PFF CO-CHAIR | Monica Miller | KHJ Radio | Pago Pago, America Samoa | Mob: +684 258 4197 | Office: +684 633 7793 |monica@southseasbroadcasting.com
The Pacific Freedom Forum is a regional and global online network of Pacific media colleagues, with the specific intent of raising awareness and advocacy of the right of Pacific people to enjoy freedom of expression and be served by a free and independent media. We believe in the critical and basic link between these freedoms, and the vision of democratic and participatory governance pledged by our leaders in their endorsement of the Pacific Plan and other commitments to good governance. In support of the above, our key focus is monitoring threats to media freedom and bringing issues of concern to the attention of the wider regional and international community.
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