The Fijian Media Association (FMA) has condemned an attempted attack on journalists covering the sentencing of convicted murderer Tevita Kapawale outside the High Court in Suva.
Police were escorting Kapawale, who was in handcuffs, to a waiting vehicle when he allegedly lunged at a female journalist, a photographer and two male reporters who were on assignment to cover the court proceedings. FMA Secretary Stanley Simpson said the incident was another in a pattern of physical threats faced by reporters while covering court cases and described the repeated failure of the Fiji Police Force to provide adequate media protection as unacceptable.
Simpson stressed the essential role of journalists in ensuring transparency and accountability in the justice system and said media personnel must be able to report on public-interest court matters without fear of violence or intimidation. The FMA is urging police to immediately adopt and enforce robust security protocols for court proceedings, including securing perimeters during prisoner transport, maintaining a visible and sufficient police presence to protect journalists, and ensuring safe escort procedures from courthouse to vehicle. “The safety of journalists is non-negotiable,” Simpson said.
Context and related concerns
This incident comes amid broader concerns the FMA has raised about media access and safety. In recent months the association has challenged restrictions placed on reporters during high-profile hearings and highlighted instances where media were allegedly blocked from courtrooms. Separate reports and industry surveys have also documented threats and harassment experienced disproportionately by female journalists in Fiji and the Pacific, underscoring long-standing gaps in protections for reporters on assignment.
There have also been public calls for greater police accountability in other recent cases, and authorities at times have signaled willingness to investigate allegations of misconduct. The FMA’s latest call is that immediate operational changes and clearer coordination between the judiciary, court registry and police are needed to prevent repeat incidents.
Practical recommendations
– Immediate review and tightening of prisoner-escort procedures around the High Court and other courts, including controlled access routes and buffer zones between detainees and media.
– A visible, adequate number of police personnel dedicated to securing journalists at court entrances and during transfers.
– Clear, published protocols for media access and safety at court events, jointly developed by the judiciary, police and media representatives.
– Special measures to protect female journalists, reflecting documented risks and past reports of harassment.
– Incident reporting and independent review of security breaches to ensure accountability and continuous improvement.
Why this matters
When journalists are threatened or obstructed while covering court proceedings, public visibility of the justice process is diminished. Ensuring reporter safety is essential not only for individual wellbeing but also for the transparency necessary in a healthy democracy.
Additional comments
News organizations should document and report all threats or assaults on staff, conduct routine risk assessments before court coverage, and provide training and safety protocols for field crews. The judiciary and police should publish timelines for implementing agreed security improvements and report back to media bodies to rebuild trust.
Short summary
The Fijian Media Association has condemned an attempted assault on reporters by convicted murderer Tevita Kapawale while he was escorted from Suva’s High Court. The FMA says police security at court proceedings has been inadequate, calls for immediate procedural changes to protect journalists, and points to wider concerns about media access and safety—particularly for women—highlighted in recent incidents and industry reports.
Hopeful angle
This high-profile incident offers an opportunity for the judiciary, police and media to collaborate on concrete, timely reforms that will improve safety for reporters, reinforce open justice, and strengthen public confidence in how court proceedings are managed.
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