The Fiji Times. The world’s first newspaper each day

photo. Matthias Süßen/CC3.0/Wikimedia

As long as the world can remember, the white man always knew best what was needed for people of colour. Christianity wiped out indigenous beliefs, and slavery still exists today in veiled forms. A story that supports this claim is the history of Fiji, an island country in Melanesia, in the Pacific. The locals called their land Viti. Tongans referred to it as Fisi, a name later anglicised by explorer James Cook.

The islanders had their own beliefs, culture and monetary system. Christianity and explorers took that all away in the late 1600s, under the banner of eradicating cannibalism. The 1800s brought British colonisation. New customs, laws and towns, all fashioned in the "English style".

The first "European town" was Levuka, on the island of Ovalau, built in 1820 and soon declared the nation’s capital. When the Kingdom of Fiji was established in 1871, the British did not allow the country to grow independently. Just three years later, it became a colony of the Crown. The capital moved to Suva on the island of Viti Levu. Yet Levuka remains proud that every national "first" happened there. The first bank, town hall, hospital and school. And in 1869, the first newspaper, The Fiji Times.


George Littleton Griffiths, a 25-year-old Brit seeking his place in the world, married Annie Unwin in 1868 in New Zealand. A year later, the young couple arrived in Levuka. As Griffiths wrote, Fiji at that time was a country without any form of government. Given the freedom from restrictions settlers enjoyed, every man did what he felt was right in his own eyes.

Griffiths began his island journey working in Fiji Fire and Marine Insurance Company Ltd. as advertising head. His job was to promote and sell a non-alcoholic sparkling drink. The ambitious young businessman concluded that newspaper ads were the best way to do this, but Levuka had no newspapers. So... he started the country’s first one.

Complaints about the lack of brawls

He approached Thomas H. Prichard, a writer, poet and British consul. The two men agreed on launching a media outlet, and on Saturday, 4 September 1869, The Fiji Times debuted. A four-page paper, printed in four columns, featured:

• world news (front page)
• columns and Levuka news (pages two and three)
• advertisements (back page)

The paper’s office - really a weekly at the time - was located in Albion Passage, Beach Street, at the foot of Mission Hill. Most importantly, it had its own print shop. Griffiths’ editorial mission was simple:

The only promise we make is to observe our times and strive to make our paper a public good; a practical, useful and honest voice for honour, truth and law.

The Fiji Times was mainly for British settlers, but Levuka being a port meant its readers also included sailors, pirates, adventurers and job-seekers. With no government or order, the paper became the only watchman of law and morality. It was also a "bank of information" about sea and land weather, job offers across islands and warnings of threats or dangers. Sometimes readers even complained... about a lack of city brawls.

Griffiths treated his readers like a father treats his children (he had ten of his own and adopted five more). He didn’t threaten or accuse. He advised, suggested and encouraged. Like on 13 November 1869, when he called for a shelter for the sick and a burial place for the dead, or when he said the city should have a lighthouse to guide ships in and out of port. He also pushed for a bank to keep residents’ money safer than in their socks. Surprisingly, it worked. So from its earliest days, The Fiji Times shaped the capital and region, and its founder earned deep respect and popularity.

Post and stamps from The Fiji Times

George Griffiths was not only the paper’s owner and editor, but he also had to handle its distribution. A resourceful man, he found a way. On 1 November 1870, the editorial read:

Letters no longer need to gather dust at the consulate until they yellow with age or are eaten by rats. The Fiji Times Express will bring many benefits and conveniences.

Griffiths set up a postal point at the newspaper office. He printed stamps with the FT logo at his print shop. For a small fee, ship captains took mail onboard and delivered it around the islands and "to the world" - to England, Australia, Canada and the United States. Griffiths also used this method to ship out his paper. It worked. Fiji’s first postal system was running, and The Fiji Times’ circulation grew.

That same year, 1870, Griffiths and Prichard parted ways. The latter went into politics but stayed in touch with the paper, writing often about settlers and natives alike. Griffiths, now more experienced in journalism, ran the newsroom solo. His family in Wales supplied materials, and he expanded his operation - literally - by investing in carrier pigeons to bring news from remote islands.

And there was plenty to write about. The late 1860s and early 1870s brought religious wars. King Cakobau launched a crusade against the Kai Colo people who resisted Christianity. Settlers also clashed with them. The Kingdom of Fiji, formed in June 1871, failed to bring peace. Only when King Cakobau placed himself and the country under British protection did Queen Victoria impose "English rule". The official date of annexation was 10 October 1874.

The journalist who did not bow to the king

For six years, Griffiths kept The Fiji Times independent, even though the king and his ministers pressured him to take their side. The editor remained objective and consistent, which at times hurt both the paper and himself. His reports were respected by other newspapers in the region and treated as reliable sources of information. Griffiths` articles were often reprinted in Australian papers like Bendigo Advertiser, The Ballarat Star and The Sydney Morning Herald, but also made it to England and Canada, becoming part of Fiji’s historical record. One key event of the time was the signing of the Deed of Cession in Nasova, described by Griffiths on 10 October 1874. It was also decided then that the country’s capital would be moved to Suva, on the island of Viti Levu. FT, by now a national newspaper, initially opposed the move.

By the late 1870s, Griffiths realised the move was inevitable. He travelled to Suva to "test the waters", leaving The Fiji Times under the care of former editor Thomas H. Prichard. The new city opened new opportunities. Ever resourceful, Griffiths launched a new paper, Suva Times, to see how it would be received and what options he had. He bought more pigeons, allowing fast message exchanges between the new and old capitals. The decision paid off. When Suva officially became the capital in 1882, and Prichard decided to emigrate to Australia, The Fiji Times was relocated to Renwick Road in Suva.

Until December 1886, Griffiths ran both newspapers. On 1 January 1887, Suva Times ceased publication. A year later, the article title in Fiji Times added the definite article: THE. From its beginning, local news was FT’s top priority. Once the Suva office opened, the first stories focused on the new capital:

• crime reports (January, February, March 1882)
• agriculture - coffee plantations and berry harvests praised (March 1882)
• upcoming visits by major British figures like Sir Arthur Gordon and King George (July, August 1882)

Once the ice was broken, FT settled into regular operations as a newspaper. It informed, announced, sponsored contests, and Mr. George Littleton Griffiths, now a respected Suva citizen, became mayor of the capital.

The first serious rival and a newspaper printed on bark

As The Fiji Times was a family business and the Griffiths had sons among their 15 children, the boys eventually joined the newsroom. The eldest, Arthur, already a father of nine by 1898, took the family business seriously. His wife Jennie supported him, writing articles and eventually helping edit the paper, despite her household duties.


FT had no competition, either in Levuka or Suva, until 1901. That year, young businessman Alport Barker opened his own printing press in Suva and launched Western Pacific Herald. With more money, he had more options. He bought modern equipment and hired professional journalists.

But The Fiji Times and the Griffiths didn’t give up. They had an established name, a loyal readership and a strong distribution network. For the next seven years, both newspapers ran side by side, mostly covering Indian immigrants hired in the sugar industry, who began displacing the native population.

In 1902, Griffiths ended his pigeon service. A telegraph cable was laid from Levuka to Suva. News now arrived almost instantly, allowing FT to expand its international news section. Both Suva papers partnered with news agencies, including the globally known Reuters. Service improvements continued, and on 14 December 1910, the paper announced:

We are pleased to introduce today to our subscribers our new exclusive Reuters cable service. This is without doubt the most reliable and up-to-date service containing the latest news.

One curiosity of the era was the 4 July 1908 issue, printed on bark, or masi. Local tree bark could be processed into a printable material used for special editions. This one included news of a women’s protest in London on 21 June, where 35,000 women demanded their rights. The bark printing was repeated on 17 February the next year.

The end of the Griffiths era and a major newspaper merger

George Littleton Griffiths ran The Fiji Times for 38 years, and for the first three decades, he was Fiji’s only chronicler. He made lasting contributions to many areas - journalism, banking, education and even leprosy treatment. He died in 1908 in Suva, aged 64. His son Arthur inherited the paper. But the large Griffiths family lacked the same deep connection to the paper and Fiji. In 1912, at his wife’s urging, Arthur sold the family legacy, and they all moved to Australia.

The new owner - a private limited company of unknown detail - struggled at first. Local news and ads kept the paper going. When World War I broke out, updates from the front lines took over most pages. But the war also brought economic trouble, and FT began losing ground to its competitor.

As a British colony, Fiji joined the war effort in August 1914 and felt the resulting financial strain. When paper shortages hit, FT struggled. Meanwhile, Western Pacific Herald was financially secure. So in 1918, Alport Barker proposed a takeover, and it was accepted.

On 20 May 1918, the first issue of Western Pacific Herald & Fiji Times appeared. An editorial explained the merger and promised a reversed title: Fiji Times & Western Pacific Herald. Soon after, it was shortened to The Fiji Times & Herald.

This began a new 50-year chapter for Fiji’s first newspaper. Western Pacific Herald had been a regional paper, while Fiji Times reached a national audience. After the merger, Barker focused on growing distribution. He succeeded quickly. Fiji Times & Herald became a daily, nationwide publication.

FT benefited from the merger. Printing improved, content was neatly organised in five columns. New sections appeared. Barker, a sports fan, gave much space to rugby, which became a regular topic in FT&H. Horse racing also gained popularity.

As a sharp businessman, Barker owned other newspapers too. He spent much of his time in Samoa, where he published the Samoa Herald. News from Melanesia could now be exchanged between editorial teams. Initially, Barker didn’t interfere with FT&H. He focused on political, regional and charitable work. From 1920, he was a member of Fiji’s Legislative Council (parliament). Eventually, he took the lead and spent most of his time at the newsroom.

Stormy wartime years and all titles under one roof

In the late 1920s and early 1930s, Frank Ryan joined the team. He quickly proved himself as a capable reporter - and son-in-law. The Fiji Times & Herald once again became a family newspaper. Ryan was a versatile journalist. He covered court hearings, rugby matches, music concerts and conducted interviews with artists. Until after the war, he wrote the Saturday column Flotsam and Jetsam.

In 1920, Barker modernised the printing press by introducing linotypes, greatly improving print quality. Photos began to appear sporadically. On 13 May 1937, The Fiji Times, still paired with the Herald, was printed on bark - masi - for the third time. That unique issue featured a higher number of photographs.

Like all newspapers, wartime editions were filled with battlefield reports, Nazi "successes and failures", and later, victories of the Allies. Fiji became a strategic location, especially after Japan joined the Axis powers. Troops from New Zealand and the United States were stationed on Viti Levu. Though fighting occurred on the Solomon Islands, the tension in Fiji was high. The daily column Latest Cablegrams delivered news of air raids, casualties and hopes for peace. The most frequent reports came from Harold Cooper. In 1943, a supplement appeared: American news page supplement by the force public relations office.

After the war, in 1945, Barker handed the editorship to John Stone and dedicated himself to national affairs. Besides serving in the Legislative Council, he took the top seat in city hall, becoming mayor of Suva. In the early 1950s, he merged all his publications into the company Fiji Times & Herald Ltd.

The fight for indigenous rights

The late 1940s and early 1950s marked a political awakening in Fiji. New parties began to form, including those led by native Fijians. Barker championed their rights both in the FT&H and in Britain, where he travelled at his own expense. He was supported by politician and philanthropist John Percy Bayly. A second ethnic group, the Indo-Fijians, also began demanding recognition. Their representative, Ambalal Dahyabhai Patel, frequently appeared in FT&H, strongly advocating for a republic. In 1968, he founded the National Federation Party.


At the end of 1951, following his wife`s death and his knighthood, Sir Alport Barker left the newsroom in the hands of editor Alan Moyle and moved to New Zealand. Moyle proved highly effective. He had a strong organisational sense and foresight, and never forgot the ordinary citizen:

• In 1951, he reported the wedding of Kamisese Kapaiwai Tuimacilai Mara, Oxford graduate and future Prime Minister of Fiji.
• In 1953, FT&H rallied support for farmers fighting the rhinoceros beetle infestation.
• He devoted much attention to Ratu Lala Sukuna, a Fijian chief and soldier who became a statesman in 1954.
• In March 1955, he wrote about the life and death of Mother Mary Agnes, known across the South Pacific for her work at the leprosy hospital in Makogai.
• He mobilised readers to help fire victims in Nausori in 1956.

On 14 June 1956, sad news arrived from New Zealand: Sir Alport Barker had died at the age of 82. Earlier that year, he sold the newspaper and publishing house. The new owner of FT&H was publisher and businessman Sir Robert William Robson.

Since 1930, Robson had owned the prestigious Australian magazine Pacific Islands Monthly and the publishing company Pacific Publications Pty Ltd. Though 71 in 1956, he had no plans to retire. He remembered the turn of the century and FT’s first owner and resolved to honour his legacy. Robson’s goal was to elevate The Fiji Times to global standards. He described it as the challenge of his life:

• He restored the title to The Fiji Times.
• He opened editorial offices on Vanua Levu, Taveuni, and a second office in Lautoka on the main island.
• He switched to a morning edition and used local air transport for distribution.
• He changed the paper’s format to tabloid (30 April 1956).
• On 1 December, he appointed TK McCuaig as editor-in-chief.

Robson owned an electronic engraving machine, the Klischograph, in his Sydney printing house. He wanted Fiji Times to have top-tier resources too. But local print unions resisted. Only after he guaranteed the paper would remain a loyal client was equipment replacement approved. In September 1964, further modernisation improved the quality of printed images. Another breakthrough was the 1963 installation of the Compac cable by Cable and Wireless, allowing image transmissions from around the world. The first such photo printed in Fiji Times appeared on 9 January 1965 (Winston Churchill’s funeral). Photo editor Stan Whippy eventually became the paper’s full-time photographer.

The first newspaper in the world every day

Robson personally oversaw the paper during his first year. He tackled challenges one by one. In 1957, under the headline appeared the slogan The first newspaper in the world every day (referring to the time zone), and Leonard Gray Usher took the editor’s chair. Robson returned to Australia.

Usher, an Australian, had arrived in Fiji to become principal of the public school in Levuka. During World War II, he led the government’s public relations department and remained in that role after the war. Robson persuaded his fellow countryman to take over as editor and director. Usher agreed, marking the start of a new chapter at The Fiji Times.

With modern tools at hand, Usher’s first move was to train the technical staff. Soon, not only the newspaper but also many of Fiji’s printing firms had skilled teams. His second move was recruiting experienced foreign journalists to train local editors. He revamped the paper’s image - new fonts, ads on the front page, and article teasers to preview inside content (13 January 1960). The Fiji Times took a deep breath and set sail across the Pacific.

Usher led FT for 16 years. As Robson had promised, the paper reached new heights. Though Robson was seen as a communist and Usher a staunch monarchist, The Fiji Times became the most popular newspaper in Fiji, and circulation kept rising. Editorials were often read not for their content, but for their style - elegant and literary. Both the owner and the editor-in-chief looked after their teams. The 1960s brought Fiji its first offset press, and reporters were given modern typewriters.

In 1968, the newspaper celebrated its centenary. The decade proved journalism in Fiji had become professional and responsible. Individual journalists were not only read - they were recognised. In 1970, the nation, the newspaper, and its editor-in-chief all celebrated. Fiji gained independence. On 24 January, The Council of Chiefs made the decision, and FT journalists were there. On 10 October, the country`s independence was officially declared. That same year, Usher received Fijian citizenship, and a year later, a knighthood.

Fiji’s economic growth and a pulled print run

FT’s media presence became so strong that major corporations took interest. The aging Robson decided to sell his company. Initially, Fiji Times was acquired by the Wilkie Group from Melbourne, but when media mogul Herald & Weekly Times also from Melbourne stepped in, Robson sold them his life’s work, hoping for continued success not just for FT, but also Pacific Islands Monthly. Unfortunately, the new owner was only interested in Fiji Times, and Robson’s iconic magazine disappeared. At FT, Vijendra Kumar succeeded Usher as editor-in-chief.

It was 1975. In his editorial columns, the new editor often wrote about racial harmony that had emerged in the country since 1970 and about Fiji’s economic potential. He dedicated considerable space to the booming tourism industry.


In April 1977, a "dramatic" incident unfolded. In the March elections, the National Federation Party led by Siddiq Moidin Koya had won, and he was to become Prime Minister. On April 7, the day of his swearing-in, Kumar released a special afternoon edition with the bold headline Meet your new PM. To everyone’s surprise - especially in the newsroom - news broke that Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara would remain Prime Minister. Staff rushed to withdraw the special edition. Today the issue is a collector’s item, but on that day, Kumar nearly had a heart attack.

Like his predecessors, Kumar and FT were present at major national events, not only political or cultural, but also human interest stories. In March 1980, when Cyclone Tia struck Vanua Levu, and three years later, covering the death of a Fijian soldier: 25-year-old private Taniela Momoivalu died in a fierce battle between Fijian troops and Lebanese LAUIA bandits - FT reported on its front page on 31 May 1983.

Rupert Murdoch Acquires The Fiji Times. Military shuts it down

In 1986, Rupert Murdoch’s News Ltd. took ownership of Fiji Times. Just when the 1980s seemed on track to end calmly, on 14 May 1987, everything changed. The next day, FT’s front page screamed: COUP, and the military shut down the newsroom.

Lieutenant Colonel Sitiveni Rabuka led native Fijians and the military against the "dominating Indian caste". Coalition MPs were detained. Arrests and interrogations followed - newspapers were the first target. Vijendra Kumar, being of Indian descent, was marked as a scapegoat.

FT’s offices and printing press were sealed, and staff banned from entry. But before the phones were cut, a message was sent to AAP journalist Jim Shrimpton, who broadcast the alert worldwide. Journalists from Australia, New Zealand, Haiti, Canada, America, and the UK soon arrived in Suva. With all newspapers shut down and the radio under military control, private meetings with local reporters became the only way to spread information.

When the newsroom reopened six days later, tensions ran high. As Kumar recalled: "The newsroom was always a pressure cooker, but after the coup, it was nearly unbearable". Censorship wasn’t formally imposed, but journalists chose their words very carefully.

The Fiji Sun openly criticized Rabuka and was shut down. FT did not support the coup but expressed its views with tact. Still, Kumar became a military target. Once relative calm returned, the events were scrutinized. Fiji’s Supreme Court declared the coup unconstitutional. The Deuba Talks began - negotiations to form a unity government. On 23 September 1987, an agreement was signed, but two days later, Rabuka staged a second coup. On 7 October, he declared Fiji a republic, dissolved the constitution, eliminated the Governor-General’s office, and appointed himself President.

Again, FT and Kumar were first in the military’s crosshairs. The paper was shut down for seven weeks. Pleas and promises followed, and Rabuka eventually allowed FT to reopen - under two conditions: no attacks on him and the introduction of broad censorship. The owners agreed. FT resumed publication, but for Kumar, it was the final straw. In 1991, he left the newsroom and emigrated to Australia.

There were brighter moments that tumultuous year. At year’s end, Rupert Murdoch himself visited FT and declared: though he couldn’t control the country’s politics, he could ensure the paper’s growth. He promised computerisation - from desk to printing press - and delivered. By the 1990s, FT was fully digitised and colourful, with its own website. Nearly 30,000 Fijians read it daily.

War with the government

The 1990s in Fiji were marked by economic struggles. The new constitution granted ethnic Fijians full state control, sparking mass emigration of Indo-Fijians, then the majority. Sugar plantations declined, and tensions rose. FT gave ample space to these issues, especially as other ethnic groups (Chinese, Polynesians, Europeans) were also being marginalised. The slogan Fiji for Fijians gained traction.

FT’s editor-in-chief, Russell Hunter, an Australian of Scottish descent, felt the pressure firsthand. On 30 December 1999, he was given 28 days to leave the country. His contract ended on 31 December, but appeals were ignored. In April 2000, Hunter left Fiji.

Since the 1987 coup, FT had been under close scrutiny. The government declared war on the paper, and its journalists fought back - openly criticising politicians and accusing them of targeting Murdoch’s foreign-owned media house.

The government sued for every critical word. In 1996, editor Samisoni Kakaivalu and reporters Yunus Rashid and Dharmend Prasad were tried for "contempt of court" and fined. In 1999, Kakaivalu and publisher Alan Robinson were again in court - this time for breach of parliamentary privilege, after a 30 September 1997 article Practise What You Preach challenged Senate expenses. These were just two among many legal battles FT faced.

On 25 August 1998, FT reported on the creation of the Media Council, which had authority to censor and control publications, letters, maps, photos, communications, and communication channels. These powers came into force a year later, after elections that brought the Fiji Labour Party to power under Indo-Fijian Mahendra Chaudhry. New media laws targeted foreign-owned outlets. FT’s attacks on the government intensified.

In May 2000, another coup occurred. The interim, military-backed government reversed some policies, including Hunter’s deportation. In August, he received a three-year work permit, with the condition that he train a local successor. From April until then, Natan Rika and Samisoni Kakaivalu filled in, with the latter becoming editor-in-chief in 2003. But peace was elusive.


FT journalists Josefa Makaba and Margaret Wise were accused of immoral behaviour, and Wise was also charged with drunkenness and property damage. Matelita Ragogo faced charges of disorderly conduct. On 13 November 2000, FT reporter Ruci Mafi and Radio Fiji correspondent Theresa Ralogaivau were arrested for unlawful assembly and unauthorized use of a vehicle. They were covering a meeting in a rebel-held military camp, traveling in a rebel vehicle. Both were released on bail, with a court date set for 4 December.

And so, another century began for The Fiji Times - its 132nd year - looking much like the previous ones.

The reader comes first

Despite challenges, journalists kept working, and the paper reached its readers every morning, seven days a week. As readers’ stories mattered most to the newsroom, in 2003 a new column was launched: People. There were no racial tensions in the newsroom. Quite the opposite. Many, especially younger journalists, used this new section to discuss issues like racism, feminism, or everyday neighborhood life. On December 21, readers were encouraged:

Do you have a story to tell about your neighbor, friend, or family member? Someone you’re proud of? Someone with an interesting life story? If so, we’d love to hear it. Write to us.

And people, regardless of ethnic background, wrote, called, and emailed. And journalists responded to everyone. The section became hugely popular, as did Letters (Letters to the Editor).

Samisoni Kakaivalu and his team closely monitored government actions, analyzing decisions. When they were deemed right, they were praised. But when the government wronged the people, the paper shouted, like in the February 24, 2004 article Military Advises Officers to Quit, which presented evidence of wrongdoing by top officials. In the same issue, Frederica Elbourne in her article Tortured to Death wrote about the fate of tortured soldiers in November 2000. Sadly, there were more such stories.

Since 2000, tension between the government and military simmered. Military leaders accused the government of lawlessness, religious favoritism, and poor decisions, such as the Qoliqoli bill (seabed ownership rights). FT journalists did their best to present the issues objectively, though it became increasingly difficult. Finally, after much back and forth and ultimatums from all sides, on December 4, 2006, Frank Bainimarama led the military in Fiji’s fourth coup in 20 years.

On December 5, Fiji Times announced it would close its newsroom and cease publication if subjected to pressure or censorship. Samisoni Kakaivalu stated: We were ordered to break the Constitution... If we don’t have the freedom to publish responsibly, we won’t publish at all. The Bill of Rights is for everyone, not just the army. This is no longer journalism - it’s propaganda. The military must remember the eternal truth: in a battle between guns and pens, pens always win.

In response, the next day at 11:35 a.m., a military statement declared: The Republic of Fiji Military Forces has allowed Fiji Times Limited to resume publication without interference by soldiers. Censorship was not imposed, and open criticism of the interim government was allowed! A trimmed-down version of FT hit Suva that afternoon, and from December 7 it was back to normal. But promises are one thing, implementation another.

• On December 9, it was reported that two FT contributors to the Letters column were arrested and interrogated. They were intimidated but released after a few hours.
• On February 6, 2007, FT photographer Sitiveni Moce was beaten and arrested for taking photos of incidents at the Centenary Church in Suva.
• In May 2007, under the pretext of national security threats, several critical blogs were blocked.
• In June, a blacklist of foreign journalists was created.

The new year 2007 brought new leadership and new regulations. In theory, the editor-in-chief had freedom and "freedom of speech", but in practice, it became an uphill battle. In September 2007, FT reported on:

• A decree on a state of public emergency
• Increased powers for the military and reduced accountability
• A ban on criticizing the military
• The possibility of introducing laws limiting media rights

The slogan Fiji for Fijians resurfaced. As in the past, Russell Hunter, now running the Fiji Sun (also owned by Murdoch), felt its effects. On February 27, 2008, he was deported without explanation.

Repression continues

On the eve of World Press Freedom Day, May 2, a similar fate befell Fiji Times publisher Evan Hannah. At night, in his home and in front of his wife and son, he was arrested on the grounds of violating the terms of his work permit and put on a Korean airline flight to Seoul. The next day, the Fijian government stated: The journalist acted in a manner harmful to peace, defense, public safety, public order, public morality, public health, and good governance of Fiji.

Both deportations, carried out in a reprehensible manner, proved that press freedom in Fiji was history. Hard times had come, but FT and its team didn’t give up easily, even as opponents attacked forcefully. Still in 2008:

• In March, after publishing a report about Finance Minister Mahendra Chaudhry’s unpaid taxes, the minister sued FT for defamation and damages.
• On August 10, police threatened pregnant FT reporter Serafina Silaitoge, who had interviewed businessman Charan Singh. Since Singh hinted at the finance minister’s involvement, the article was deemed subversive. Police raided the reporter’s home, searching for notes, recordings, and photos.
• On December 5, the Interim Government of Fiji petitioned the court to jail editors and publishers of two national newspapers (Fiji Times and Daily Post) for six months each and fine them 1 million FJD (~539,000 USD) for publishing a letter criticizing the Supreme Court`s approval of the 2006 military coup.

FT publisher Rex Gardener and Netani Rika were sentenced on January 22, 2009, to three months` suspended imprisonment and fined 100,000 FJD (54,000 USD). Six days later, Gardener was deported. On March 10, police raided FT’s offices with a warrant, searching for a letter that was a joint statement by the UN and Commonwealth supporting the president`s political dialogue forum. That same day, Rika’s company car was vandalized, and he was taken for questioning. Two weeks later, there was a failed bomb attack on his home. Rika also received death threats.


On March 25, Colonel Pita Driti attacked Fiji Times: This is the most uncooperative and biased newspaper in the country. It has failed to properly report military grievances or positive achievements. He called for the newspaper’s closure.

But what irritated the authorities most was FT’s continued use of "Interim Government". Three years after the coup, the newspaper still insisted on calling it "interim". Rika stood firm and continued reporting, as did the entire FT team. They covered more deportations, arrests, protest bans, and growing ethnic divisions. Articles increasingly focused on abuse of women and children. The government gritted its teeth but did not impose censorship... until April 2009. Then, everything came to a halt.

Double writing

At the beginning of 2009, a constitutional crisis unfolded. President J. Iloilo dismissed Supreme Court judges, declared the court illegal, and in April, abolished the constitution and declared a state of emergency. Censors appeared in all media outlets across the islands. In June, the "emergency regulation package" was expanded. Protests from global organizations had no effect.

It was the time of "double writing" in the FT newsroom. Each journalist, especially those in politics, prepared several versions of their articles in case a censor disapproved of one. As Natani Rika recalled, at times, a dozen drafts would be written within two hours before reaching a final version. To make publishing harder, the government banned all state institutions from advertising in the paper. Revenues dropped.

All FT journalists were under scrutiny, especially the editor-in-chief who resisted censorship, and his deputy Sophie Foster. The government accused them of leading an anti-government line. In April 2010, the Fiji government issued a media decree stating:

• all directors must be citizens of Fiji permanently residing in Fiji
• at least 90 percent of actual ownership of all shares must belong to Fijian citizens
• any person not meeting these requirements must resign or give up any director role or ownership within three months of the decree’s enactment

Thus, the wings of the nation’s oldest and largest newspaper were clipped. The decree was issued on April 7. Stakeholders were given one day for consultations. Negotiations and objections followed but nothing changed. On July 9, 2010, FT announced its withdrawal from the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA), stating that the organization struggles to find a way to handle the situation in Fiji and that its actions are not in the best interest of Fiji Times.

As the government remained deaf to arguments, Rupert Murdoch’s News Ltd. began looking for a local candidate to take over the prestigious paper. The choice was Motibhai Group, which took control of Fiji Times Group on September 22, 2010. Motibhai Group, a leading business entity, had started as a small grocery store in 1931. By 2010, it was managed by businessman Mahendra Motibhai Patel, who had previously served on FT`s board as a non-executive director. He said: We are a company involved in import, wholesale, and retail sales, as well as manufacturing, distribution, real estate, and hospitality.

News Limited CEO John Hartigan, transferring the ownership deed, said: We sell Fiji Times reluctantly but are pleased to have found a buyer to take over a well-run company. Motibhai will be a good steward of the newspaper and will be involved in its future as a stakeholder.

In October, Netani Rika resigned, not under pressure from the new owners but for the good of the paper and his family. He did not align with the current government. He moved to Australia like most of the "expelled". Sophie Foster took a leave of absence and never returned. The new editor-in-chief became Fred Wesley, and the government introduced new regulations: journalists, editors, and media face heavy fines and possible imprisonment if they publish reports deemed against the national interest. At 142 years old, Fiji Times began another chapter in its media life.

It seemed that having a "local owner" and a new, less aggressive editor might ease government-FT tensions. But not quite. Wesley sought compromise and positivity, though not blindly. He cared about objectivity and truth. But, as the saying goes, it takes two to tango. FT articles were scrutinized line by line, with even one sentence used to claim offense. Government statements declared:

• data in the article from November 12, 2010, "Poor academic performance sparks teacher transfer" is inaccurate
• January 24, 2011, the article "Welcome revolution" is entirely false and malicious
• in December 2011, contempt proceedings began over the article "FIFA probes Doc". Defendants included Oceania Football Confederation chief Tai Nicholas, FT editor-in-chief Fred Wesley, and publisher Brian O’Flaherty

Contempt cases occurred at least twice a month. Either the whole paper or specific journalists were charged. FT lawyers developed a system for processing complaints, which was published in the paper. The paper was accused not only for writing articles or reprints but even for reading them. FT supported those readers. Everyone waited.

Election and hope for the 145th anniversary

September 17, 2014, was highly anticipated. The first democratic election, global observers, and hopes for a better future. Journalists hoped censorship would be lifted and free speech restored. It was also an anniversary year. FT turned 145. On September 4, Fred Wesley wrote:

We’ve long been labelled a paper wanting to be a thorn in the side of the state. That doesn’t serve us as a responsible media organisation. We’d rather be seen as a fair newspaper. Our mandate is to pursue accuracy and balance with the intent of doing justice to every story we print and every image we use. We are not anti-government and we are not pro-government. We are pro-Fiji.

On September 15, 2014, a ban was imposed on publishing election news without approval from the National Electoral Office. On September 17, the ruling party won. The only consolation was that the opposition entered Parliament. A year later, there was a slight shift. On July 16, 2014, the government announced an amendment to the media law. Fines against journalists were dropped. Only publishers, editors-in-chief, and section heads would be penalized. A small step, but welcomed. Two years later, the country saw what punishment of editorial leaders meant.

On April 27, 2016, the Nai Lalakai weekly, published in the native language, featured a letter from politician Josai Waqabaca addressing the need for national reconciliation between indigenous Fijians and Muslim minority groups. Nai Lalakai is part of Fiji Times Ltd. The article and its support also appeared in FT. Two months later, the Fijian government charged the letter’s author, Nai Lalakai editor Anare Ravuli, Fiji Times editor Fred Wesley, and publisher and CEO Hank Art with inciting communal hatred. The justification was: the article promotes ill will and hostility between Muslims and non-Muslims. All faced potential imprisonment. A wave of protest followed. The case dragged on for two years with widespread public support for the accused. On May 22, 2018, the verdict was announced: the newspaper, its publisher, the two editors, and the letter’s author were not guilty of subversive acts. Crowds of readers welcomed the acquitted outside the court.

Lawyer Aman Ravindra-Singh stated:

It became clear that the Fijian government continues to charge people with subversion to suppress freedom of speech and political opposition. This specific case and its outcome is a huge victory for the people of Fiji. We want the media in Fiji to be free and fair. As it was before the military coups in this country.

That is what the entire FT team wants. Even though censorship and pressure still affect journalists daily, they persist. They monitor government actions, care for ordinary people and their health (currently via COVID-19 projects), fight for women’s and children’s rights, teach about the environment, and love their country. They listen to readers, and because of them and for them, since August 26, 2019, the paper’s motto is: Your voice since 1869.

That same year marked the 150th anniversary of the newspaper. On that occasion, Fred Wesley said:

Over the years, The Fiji Times has witnessed many changes, from positive events to independence and the first of many military coups. Today, we are still the voice of thousands who trust The Fiji Times brand. We know this work is not for the faint-hearted. But it must be done. We value our place in society and the role we know we can play in pushing our nation forward. We will continue to pursue fair, balanced, and trustworthy news with an emphasis on integrity.

Because in all its efforts and actions for 152 years, The Fiji Times has had the people’s support. Strong support.

The Fiji Times timeline

• 1869, September 4 - first Fiji Times issue published in Levuka
• 1870 - a post office was established at the newspaper office
• 1882 - the newspaper was moved to Suva
• 1888 - official name changed to The Fiji Times
• 1908, July 4 - FT printed on masi (bark)
• 1910, December 14 - partnership with Reuters begins
• 1918, May 20 - merger with Western Pacific Herald
• 1920 - updated printing press enhanced appearance
• 1920 - first photos published
• 1951 (?) - Fiji Times & Herald Ltd. company formed
• 1956 - Robert Robson becomes owner
• 1957 - first newspaper redesign
• 1960, January 13 - second redesign
• 1965, January 9 - first remote photo transmission
• 1969 - FT`s 100th anniversary
• 1970 - first political graphics
• 1975 - Herald & Weekly Times acquires Fiji Times Group
• 1975 - first color appears, red
• 1986 - Rupert Murdoch’s News Ltd. acquires FT
• 1987, May 15 - military coup, newsroom closed for six days
• 1987, October 7 - second coup, newsroom closed for two months
• 1998 - censorship introduced
• 1999, December 30 - editor-in-chief Russell Hunter ordered to leave Fiji
• 2003 - "People" column launched
• 2006, December 5 - another coup, FT temporarily shuts down in protest
• 2008, May 2 - publisher Evan Hannah deported
• 2009, March 10 - police raid FT offices
• 2010, April 7 - media decree and censorship introduced
• 2010, September 22 - Motibhai Group takes over FT
• 2014, July 16 - media law amended, censors remain
• 2016, June - government files incitement charges against FT
• 2018, May 22 - all accused declared not guilty
• 2019 - FT`s 150th anniversary
• 2019-2021 - COVID-19-related initiatives

sources:

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• https://www.pressreader.com/fiji/the-fiji-times/20191002/281646781875962
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• https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/358027/media-censorship-condemned-as-fiji-times-acquitted