UPDATED: 8:00am – The Attorney-General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed- Khaiyum revealed yesterday that a new study shows inequality in Fiji has dropped.
Speaking at a training workshop in Suva on Reporting on Human Rights Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said the study showed that Fiji is one of the five countries in the entire Asia-Pacific Region where inequality has dropped.
He said this is very positive for Fiji but more work needed to be done to reduce inequality more.
The two-day workshop is organised by the Office of the United Nations high commisioner for human rights.
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum questioned the participants who were mostly journalists from some media organisations as to how well they understood the human rights discourse.
He said journalists in Fiji reporting on human rights do not display any level of maturity nor show any depth of reporting in this matter.
He said journalists have not been able to contextualise indigenous rights and have not understood the basis of indigenous rights as to where, how and when did it start.
He said journalists have only been reporting on matters where they find somebody saying something and they simply record it, without understanding the issue, the legal framework and the history.
“I think that is where the lack of maturity is. I hope the workshop provides journalists that framework and opportunity to conduct analysis,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said.
He said the sessions of the workshop will be based on understanding Fiji. However, the main idea whould really be based on understanding human rights concepts.
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said some media organisations have simply become mouth pieces for those who call out on their human rights, however have not been able to report maturely on the matter.
He said in-order to be able to report on human rights there is a need to be able to understand exactly what the subject matter is and to be able to develop the level of maturity and understanding as to how these concepts are actually developed.
He said in order to be able to understand human rights, reporters need to be able to understand the range of civil, political and socio-economic rights.
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum says for the first time Fiji has a comprehensive bill of rights that pertains to socio-economic rights.
-Fiji Sun
