Media reports on the murder of New Zealand businessman Tony Groom in Nadi censored by Fiji's military regime, media sources in Suva say. Media have also been restricted on reporting on missing American businessman Don Nicholas who disappeared last week while surfing near Nadi.No reason has been given to editors for the tight censoring but those involved believe the military regime is trying to control any news that could impact on the tourist trade. Ministry of Information censors operate in all Fiji newsrooms and nothing can be broadcast or published before they clear it.
Their behaviour on certain stories is often inconsistent between publications, but media sources say the censors on all publications have allowed only basic coverage of the deaths of foreigners.
Groom, 55, a former Greymouth hotelier, was operating a charter boat operation at the tourist marina in Denarau, near Nadi, when he was beaten up on July 8. He collapsed eight days later and died last Friday. His funeral was held yesterday in Nadi.
While police say they are investigating, no arrests have been made and there are no suspects. Fiji media have been allowed to give more extensive coverage of the murder of a local hotel manager, Tevita Tabua, 51, who was savagely beaten near Nadi. Three suspects are being questioned.
Meanwhile Fiji authorities have ended a search for an American CEO, Don Nicholas, who disappeared a week ago while learning to surf at the Intercontinental Hotel at Natadola, south of Nadi. The area was being pounded at the time by high swells which were also hitting New Zealand.
The search was called off over the weekend with no sign of the body. Although an extensive US funded search was heavily reported in Charlotte, North Carolina, where Nicholas was from, it was virtually uncovered in Fiji. Nicholas' girlfriend Litsa Kapantais, who is pregnant, told Charlotte media she was opposed to the way Fiji gave up on looking for the man.