More Fiji feedback

MELBOURNE – Travel writer Paul Edwards has joined the debate following our story about International Federation of Journalists’ Sydney spokeswoman Deborah Muir and her feelings about the regime in Fiji, and why people should reconsider their travel plans to the South Pacific island.

For those who missed yesterday’s story Muir – speaking on ABC Radio National last week – expressed the following view:

“The International Federation of Journalists would strongly urge people who are considering holidays in Fiji to think twice about it and to use the rights that they have in the free countries in which they live to inform themselves what is happening elsewhere in the world.”

And she added, “
Tourists who go there blithely unaware of the reality of the quite severe repressions being inflicted on the people of Fiji are supporting a dictatorship with their tourist dollars.”
Edwards, who is a member of the Australian Society of Travel Writers, wrote in response to TravelMole’s article:

“I think you have misinterpreted Deborah Muir’s Radio Australia comments by implying she has called for a travel ban to Fiji.

“ A Radio Australia coverage of her comments states she simply calls for Australians to think twice about going there.

“She urges travellers to use Australia’s basic freedoms to learn more about the situation – the kind of freedom which is currently denied to Fijians.

“In other words, we should look a little below the idyllic veneer of Fiji’s beaches and resorts and see just why the nation has been kicked out of the Commonwealth, why highly respected Australian journalists have been kicked out of Fiji, and why ethical Fijian journalists are finding their work so difficult.

“The word ‘ban’ appears only in your headline – in other words you’re guilty of a beat-up.

“David Beirman, who should know better, has repeated the beat-up and turned it into an insult by referring to the ‘soapbox antics of a group of journalists.’

“His comments come from his own soapbox, as a man who makes money from showing governments how to use positive spin.

“I’m not buying into whether travellers should or should not go to Fiji or any other country with a dodgy government – that would severely limit our travels.

“And I’d certainly be opposed to a ban – that would severely limit our human rights. But please let’s have a bit of accuracy in reporting by TravelMole.

“I guess we’ve all been guilty of beat-ups at some time, but isn’t it embarrassing when you’re sprung?”

Here is a link to the ABC interview with Deborah Muir Readers can make up their own minds about where the IFJ stands on the issue.

http://www.radioaustralianews.net.au/stories/200909/2673419.htm?desktop