Fiji TV legal manager Tanya Waqaniika confirmed to Pacnews that Edwin was picked up from the Nasova Police barracks yesterday morning.
“He was in good spirit and is resting now at home. According to Edwin, he was treated very well by police, said Waqaniika.
Police spokesman, Atunaisa Sokoimuri said the TV journalist was released without any charges.
“We have released him but are continuing investigations.”
Nand was taken in for questioning by police on Monday evening after his interview with deported Australian Network journalist, Sean Dorney. Footage from the interview was broadcast widely in Australia and New Zealand.
Meanwhile, more international support has been received for the Fiji media.
The Media Asosiesen blong Vanuatu expressed its deep concerns for the media censorship laws in Fiji.
“Censoring the media results in undermining democracy in Fiji and usurping the people’s right to be heard or impart information. Media censorship will not help ease the situation in Fiji because it will only add fuel to the negative views from the international community on Fiji,” said Moses Stevens, president of MAV.
MAV finds it totally unacceptable that the Fiji government has stationed members of its disciplined forces in news rooms and dictating to media professionals on how to go about doing their job
“We assure our colleagues in Fiji that we sympathize with them and encourage them to remain faithful to our profession. MAV is also hopeful that regional and international pressure is applied on Fiji to ensure that the people of Fiji particularly, receive uncensored information on developments in the country.”
As Vanuatu prepares to host the inaugural Pacific Media Summit with the theme “Breaking Barriers, Access to Information,” developments in Fiji have really brought to light the need for the Pacific media family and their stakeholders, to really dig deep in their deliberations on media freedom and tackling obstacles to freedom of information and access to information.
MAV is saddened that Media Freedom has been effectively curtailed in Fiji.
“This is a very scary scenario, as far as small media industries like ours in Vanuatu, are concerned. Media freedom is everyone’s freedom. We hope that the new policy on media in Fiji is immediately reviewed so that journalists and media organizations are given the freedom to do their jobs professionally,” said Stevens.
