Fiji police seize journalist's phone, sparking press freedom concerns

In Fiji, a concerning incident involving the seizure of a journalist's phone by police has ignited serious concerns about press freedom and the potential for intimidation within the nation's law enforcement. Meri Radinibaravi, an investigative reporting fellow with the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), found herself targeted after making a social media post alleging corruption within the Fiji Police Force.

According to OCCRP, Radinibaravi was summoned by police and subsequently felt pressured to surrender her phone after providing a statement. The post in question reportedly referenced allegations concerning the tenure of former police chief Sitiveni Qiliho, who himself was convicted for interfering in a criminal investigation. The police, including Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu, have not responded to queries from OCCRP regarding the incident.

This action by the Fiji police has been strongly denounced by OCCRP's editor-in-chief, Miranda Patrucic, who described it as an "unacceptable attack on press freedom and independent media in Fiji." Patrucic asserted that the move was designed to harass the journalist and target her sources, demanding the immediate return of Radinibaravi's equipment and assurances that no data has been compromised. The OCCRP is a respected international organization dedicated to exposing organized crime and corruption, and its condemnation carries significant weight.

The incident occurs at a sensitive time for Fiji, with Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka considering a national state of emergency due to rising drug trafficking and organized crime. A joint police and military operation is currently underway to combat criminal networks. While the government is focused on security, the actions against Radinibaravi raise critical questions about the balance between law enforcement and the fundamental right to a free press. For journalists in Fiji and the wider Pacific region, such events highlight the risks involved in reporting on sensitive issues, particularly when those issues involve powerful institutions.

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It is designed to harass the journalist and is a brazen attempt to target her sources.