Page 7 - IB MAY 2017

Fruitless escape Samoa is No.1
TWO Tongan fruit pickers were chased WHEN it comes to media freedom in
down in Hastings, New Zealand, after they the islands, Samoa is the most free, and
attempted to evade the flight home. its western neighbour Fiji is the least free, Front Page Limited
117 Amy Street
The men disappeared with a van according to the world body of journalists, PO Box 12718, Suva, Fiji Islands.
belonging to their employer but were Reporters Without Borders. Tel: +679 330 3108. Fax: +679 330 1423.
eventually tracked down after a series of In its latest World Press Freedom Index, Email: advertising@islandsbusiness.com
frenzied phone calls to community and Samoa was placed 21st, ahead of China,
family members. India, Indonesia and Russia. Circulation & Distribution
Sara Vafoou
After a hurried meeting at the local Tonga was given the 49th place and svafoou@islandsbusiness.com
Golden Arches, they were told in no un- Papua New Guinea on 51st. Fiji got a subs@islandsbusiness.com
familiar terms that their failure to board miserable 67th in the index.
Accounts
the flight would lead to serious repercus- It moved up 13 places when compared to accounts@islandsbusiness.com
sions for other Tongans hoping to make its 2016 position. It should be quite clear
the trip to NZ. to the Fijian authorities that its standing Regional magazine sales agents
Unwilling to face the collective wrath of in the world index won’t improve unless Pacific Cosmos – 89 Brisbane Street,
their compatriots, the men headed home. and until the draconian media decree goes. Oxley Park, NSW, Australia
Pacific Supplies – Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Yap Cooperative Association – Colonia, YAP,
t t
Federated States of Micronesia
Paper Power Bookshop – Town Council Bldg,
i-Kiribati minister in hot soup Leader crossed Main Street, Nadi, Fiji
Drama in the Kiribati Parliament when SINCE returning from cheering on his Suva Bookshop – Downtown Boulevard, Suva, Fiji
one of its select committees accused a country’s rugby seven champions that Fatiaki Enterprises Limited – Vakabalea St,
cabinet minister of overseas travel allow- grabbed gold at the Rio Olympics last Lautoka, Fiji
ance abuses. year, Fiji’s PM has been on the ‘playing as Sanatan Bookshop - Nasinu, Tebara Shopping
According to the Anti-Corruption Select a team in Team Fiji’ campaign ever since. Complex
Committee, the said minister overspent his Well right up to last month’s annual Nausori Airport Bookshop – Nausori
travel budget by $AUD72,000. To say that update in the capital of all its diplomats Ba Book Centre – Ba (opposite Ba Bus Station, Fiji
the said minister was unimpressed is an serving in its missions abroad. Lami Pharmacy – Main Street, Lami
understatement, especially as all members For holding the foreign affairs portfolio, Kays Kona Shop – Dolphin Plaza, Suva, Fiji
of the select committee were from the rul- he opened the annual consultation with USP Bookcentre – USP, Laucala Campus, Suva, Fiji
Samabula Drugstore – Samabula, Suva, Fiji
ing party, like him. his rallying cry of the importance of team Kundan Singh Supermarket – Tamavua, Suva, Fiji
He has now threatened to take the com- work. MH Superfresh – Tamavua, Suva, Fiji
mittee to court for defamation. But invited to close the meeting barely Methodist Bookstore – Stewart Street, Suva, Fiji
24 hours later, diplomats were admon- Textbook Wholesalers – BSP Centre Suva, Fiji
t ished for being poor team players. The MHCC – Suva, Fiji
leader was apparently livid at the sudden 786 Supermarket – Toorak ,Suva, Fiji
Vanuatu’s 10 are out, for now resignation overnight of his chief foreign TOTAL Hibiscus – Victoria Parade, Suva, Fiji
Most of the 14 politicians including two adviser, as well as his senior envoy in Tappoo outlets – Fijiwide
former prime ministers and parliamentary Wellington. Kundan Singh Supermarket – Arts Village,
speaker who were jailed for corruption Pacific Harbour, Fiji
related charges in Vanuatu have been t Gulabdas & Sons – Beach Road, Levuka, Fiji
sent home after serving 18 months be- Hachette Pacifique – Papeete, French Polynesia
hind bars. G for governance Kiribati Newstar – Bairiki, Kiribati
One Stop Stores – Bairiki, Kiribati
But it’s not celebrations just yet for the Judging by the way several regional and Robert Reimers Enterprises – Majuro, Marshall Islands
10 former MPs. Vanuatu Prosecutors’ of- international NGOs have suffered from Pacific & Occidental – Yaren, Nauru
fice is planning to charge the group with financial mismanagement, the whisper South Seas Traders – Alofi, Niue
another conspiracy offence. is now that perhaps the G in NGO should Nouvelle Messageries Caledoniennes de Presse
Former PMs Serge Vohor and Moana change to governance not government. – Noumea, New Caledonia
Carcasses were not part of the 10, and An executive of such an organisation has Wewak Christian Bookshop – Wewak, PNG
although Vohor was released a few days been given his marching orders as local Boroko Foodworld – Boroko, PNG
before the release of the 10. police have been called in to probe the al- UPNG Bookshop – Waigani, PNG
Carcasses, Tahiti-born but a naturalised leged abuse. The executive’s top boss has Wesley Bookshop – Apia, Samoa
Vanuatu citizen, is still in prison and he’s also been shown the door as the alleged Panatina Chemist Ltd – Honiara, Solomon Islands
not eligible for parole until October. pilferage happened during ‘his watch.’ Officeworks Ltd – Honiara, Solomon Islands
National Stationery Supplies – Honiara,
Solomon Islands
t Friendly Islands Bookshop – Nuku’alofa, Tonga
Tuvalu Air Travel, Shipping – Funafuti, Tuvalu
Like us on facebook Trade and Consultancies – Funafuti, Tuvalu
https://www.facebook.com/pages/islands-business/ Stop Press – Port Vila, Vanuatu
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Islands Business, May 2017 7