THE chairman of the Media Industry Development Authority has stepped down, it has been revealed.
Head of the Justice Ministry Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said Professor Satendra Nandan stepped down for health reasons.
He said well known academic and literature expert Professor Subramani would chair the authority.
The other members include the Solicitor General Christopher Pryde, Asilika Uluilakeba, who represents the interests of children in Fiji.
The member representing consumer rights is Jimaima Schultz, Penelope Moore will represent the interests of women while Pacific Islands News Association manager Matai Akoula will represent the media industry.
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said more than 10 media organisations had registered.
These organisations include Fiji Television Ltd, Communications Fiji Limited, Fiji Times Ltd, Alsa Limited, Chew Publishing Company Limited, Fiji Sun, Active Media, Sporting Pulse Magazine, Islands Business International, Fiji Broadcasting Corporation Ltd, Half Time Publications and Bula Namaste.
He also said some other media would register.
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said there would not be an extension to the three-month deadline for ownership changes because the decree was already in place.
When asked what plans government had to make up for the $14million shortfall in taxes that Fiji Times paid annually should there be no sale, Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said "that has already been taken into consideration".
He also said government had no interest in buying Fiji Times.
ENDS