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The Fiji government is introducing two new decrees designed to protect the criminal justice system and ensure fair reporting by journalists, according to acting Director of Public Prosecutions Aca Rayawa.
The Crimes Decree 2009 and Criminal Procedures Decree 2009 will come into effect midnight Sunday.
Under the new laws, a person that publicly offers rewards for the return of lost or stolen property and uses the words “no questions asked” in a public advertisement or states the person(s) returning the stolen items will not be arrested or prosecuted can face a penalty of one year imprisonment.
Any media outlet that publishes the advertisement will face the same penalty of one year imprisonment.
Furthermore, any person dishonestly taking money as reward for assisting in the recovery of stolen property can face a penalty of five years imprisonment under the new legislation.
The new laws also cover offences relating to media coverage of pending judicial proceedings where it would be an offence to broadcast any item that would prejudice or misrepresent proceedings in a case.
“Just cover the court proceedings. Don’t interview judges or lawyers outside the court unless you’re seeking clarification,” state counsel Ana Tuiketei told reporters at a briefing.
Offenders will be taken into custody and fined $500 or face three months imprisonment in default of payment.
