Departure of Rex Gardner

MR: Wednesday, January 28, 2009

The United States Government is very concerned about the circumstances surrounding the departure of Fiji Times publisher and Acting CEO Rex Gardner.
 
The United States believes that an independent and free press preserves the right to the free flow of information that people need to fulfill their obligations of citizenship. A free and independent press is an essential component of any democratic society.

This is the third time that the Interim Government has expelled a newspaper publisher.  These actions raise serious questions about the Interim Government’s commitment to the freedom of the press.

The U.S. urges the Interim Government to respect the rights of the freedom of the press.

Editors Note: Please attribute this statement to a U.S. Embassy Spokesman