Fiji censorship 'worst ever': deported ABC journalist

Kerri Ritchie

Last Updated: Tue, 14 Apr 2009 17:53:00 +1000

The Australian journalist Sean Dorney has criticised the Fijian Government's censorship of journalists after he was deported from the country.

The ABC reporter was expelled from Fiji after its military-led government objected to his stories on its media crackdown and the censoring of local journalists.

"The censorship at the moment is just absolutely extraordinary, never in Fiji before has it been this tough, even after [Sitiveni] Rabuka's coup," he said.

Arriving back at Sydney Airport today, Dorney described being called to the Information Minister's office.

"He said 'look Sean, we're not happy with your reporting, there are going to immigration officers coming and you'll be on your way to the airport'," he said.

Dorney says he was offered a deal where he could leave voluntarily but did not take it.

He later had his mobile phone confiscated and was held for about five hours with a TV crew from New Zealand, while officials reviewed footage shot on his camera.

He says things are even worse for local Fijian journalists.

He says the people of Fiji are unable to see any negative stories about the government.

Meanwhile, Fijian journalist Edwin Nand spent last night in a police cell for reporting on Dorney's detention.

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