Police arrest two TV crews
Title -- 5284 FIJI: Police arrest two TV crews
Date -- 30 January 2008
Byline -- None
Origin -- Pacific Media Watch
Source – Reporters Without Borders/Reporters sans frontières 30/1/08
Copyright -- RSF
Status -- Unabridged
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POLICE ARREST TWO TV CREWS
www.rsf.org
SUVA (RSF/Pacific Media Watch): Reporters Without Borders condemns the arrest of Fiji TV reporter Emily Moli and cameraman Shalendra Datt for "disobeying a police order" on 23 January, when they went to cover a dispute between the principal and administration of Rishikul Sanatan high school in Nasinu.
After being told to stop filming and leave by officer Waisea Tabakau, they were placed in a police van and interrogated for five hours. Fiji TV spokesman Tanya Waqanika said their arrest was "without any grounds and totally unjustified" as the school administration had said they could film.
Another TV crew consisting of reporter Edwin Nand and cameraman Trevuz Chung, who were sent to the school later the same day, were also detained for a short while for the same reason. Waqanika said the station would file a complaint with the Police Commissioner and the Fiji Media Council.
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