News Ltd puts Fiji Times on the block
News Ltd has put the Fiji Times in the shop window, appointing consultants PricewaterhouseCoopers to advise on “a possible sale”.
The decision follows changes to the law in Fiji limiting foreign media ownership to 10% in a move which News Ltd has previously described as an attack on free speech.
In a statement the company said: “PricewaterhouseCoopers will advise on issues such as the value of the business, potential purchasers and marketing for a possible sale. The project team at PricewaterhouseCoopers will be led by Ms Jenny Seeto based in Fiji. Her team will include personnel based in Fiji and in Australia.”
News Ltd chairman John Hartigan said: “Selling the Fiji Times is not a certainty, and it’s not what we want. The environment is difficult but given the decree is clearly designed to force us to sell and pull out of Fiji within three months. We need to actively investigate all our options. Our priority is the welfare of our staff in Fiji and their ongoing employment.
“After our long association with the paper, it would be a sad day if we have to end our involvement in Fiji.”
Tim Burrowes founded Mumbrella in 2008. He worked on Mumbrella until 2021. At various points he was editor, content director and editor-at-large.
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