THE Fiji Times is an independent newspaper and it is neither pro-Government nor anti-Government, says newspaper editor-in-chief Fred Wesley.
Wesley’s comments came while responding to the Department of Information for blaming the newspaper for being selective and not publishing Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama’s New Year message.
He said the newspaper published news and views based on what it believed was of interest to its readers.
“The acting director of information Izek Lal should know why The Fiji Times didn’t publish the PM’s New Year message. It is because we never received it from its department,” Wesley said.
He said the department had stopped sending emails on January 10 in which a senior journalist queried why they had stopped sending emails to The Fiji Times.
“We received a test email on Thursday, January 10, at 10.30am. We have since been receiving emails from the department.
“Once again, the Government is accusing The Fiji Times of one-sided and unfair reporting. We repeat what we always say when attacks are made. The Fiji Times is independent.”
In a statement, Mr Lal claimed it was a serious lapse that a major national address from Prime Minister Bainimarama received no coverage from the newspaper.
