Constitution-making in a stifled democracy: A case study of self-censorship perpetuating propaganda in Fiji
Fiji is preparing for general elections in 2014 by when the country will have been under military rule for eight years. A process of constitution-making began in mid-2012 and a new Constitution should be available by 2013. Citizens and the media continue to practise self-censorship and the military...
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Asia Pacific Network
2013-05-01
|
| Series: | Pacific Journalism Review |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://ojs.aut.ac.nz/pacific-journalism-review/article/view/244 |
| Summary: | Fiji is preparing for general elections in 2014 by when the country will have been under military rule for eight years. A process of constitution-making began in mid-2012 and a new Constitution should be available by 2013. Citizens and the media continue to practise self-censorship and the military regime continues to remind citizens that they would crack down harshly on ‘trouble-makers’. In the same breath, the regime has promised the international community that the process for constitution-making will be free, fair, participatory and transparent. This article, through analysis of media reporting, will examine whether current self-censorship by media is aiding the constitution-making process, and if indeed, self-censorship is promoting peace? Through an analysis of the work of the Constitution Commission, the article will analyse the extent of participation of citizens in the context of a stifled democracy. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 1023-9499 2324-2035 |