LTA once again raises concern about Fiji Sun’s reporting

The Land Transport Authority of Fiji has once again voiced its disappointment with the Fiji Sun for continuing to mislead Fijians with inaccurate news. LTA says the newspaper once again published a story titled “Police Intervene at Crowded LTA” which the LTA says is incredibly misleading, and in fact, fake news.

The Authority says they have confirmed with both the Police and their team on site that the Police officers did a headcount, and determined that LTA was adhering to social distancing rules, in particular to having less than 20 people inside the premises adding the Police team is doing these checks everywhere.

It says the Fiji Police Force has also confirmed to LTA that they were never asked in context if officers were sent to the site to intervene, but were asked whether Police services would be available if people did not adhere to social distancing measures.

LTA adds this means that the Police Commissioner’s comments were also taken out of context as they were not explicitly made in relation to LTA.

The Authority reiterates at no point was this a “Police intervention” because of a “crowded LTA”.

They say it is disturbing to note that the Fiji Sun did not approach LTA to get both sides of the story and ensure it was balanced before going to print which is the most basic of basics for good journalism.

They further say in the same vein, it is also disappointing to see the newspaper rely on a Facebook post as a news source adding the Facebook post was inaccurate as there were people controlling the line and reminding people to stay apart.

LTA adds there are also signs in place informing people. They say in spite of these precautions, as is to be expected, a few irresponsible people did not follow the rules.

LTA says after it was highlighted on Wednesday that the Fiji Sun story on 5th May titled “Long Queues Now As LTA Closes Several Branches” incorrectly attributed the long queue to the closing of LTA offices, (which in fact, was because of COVID-19 precautions to ensure social distancing rules were adhered to, as per Ministry of Health guidelines), Fiji Sun has refused to publish a correction.

It says instead, Fiji Sun has doubled down on their mistake and decided to post an outdated media statement by LTA and paint an inaccurate picture that misrepresents the entire situation.

LTA further says the misleading story incorrectly insinuated that LTA CEO Samuel Simpson had made comments in relation to this, when in fact, he had never been approached for this story.

They say at no time did the LTA CEO say that “they would take some measures, but they did not expect such a large crowd” in relation to the story and the queue that Fiji Sun is talking about in the story.

LTA adds again, the Fiji Sun story quoted the CEO as saying “Footfall at our branches has declined at our branches as a result of the COVID-19 restrictions; we do not foresee future problems.”

They say at no point did the LTA CEO say this in response to the queue that Fiji Sun was talking about in the story adding this quotation was given well before the queue that this article talks about and is published to make it seem like the Fiji Sun approached LTA for this particular article.

LTA says Fiji Sun used quotes from an outdated media statement in this story, which were given before the event even took place and made it seem like LTA was making a comment to this particular story.

LTA says they reiterate that no Fiji Sun reporter approached LTA in regard to this story to seek an explanation for the queue outside.

The Authority cautions Fijians to beware of cheap sensationalism.

LTA urges Fijians to bear in mind that precautions are being taken to protect them from COVID-19 and to take precautions such as social and physical distancing, especially when in line for services.

We have sent questions to the Fiji Sun.