Photo: RNZ/Sally Round
The Fiji Times publisher Hank Arts, will retire at the end of the month after seven years in the job.
Mr Arts, who is about to turn 70, told the newspaper it was time to move on however he said he would remain as a consultant until a replacement was found.
Hank Arts. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
He said he was proud of the way the Fiji Times Ltd had modernised its operations during his term as general manager.
"The Fiji Times continues to flourish and its editorial independence remains unquestionable," Mr Arts said.
"We have the best team of journalists in Fiji and it shows in the strength of our papers. We operate under the ordinary pressures of the news business but many other pressures as well, as everyone in Fiji knows. All of our terrific staff take this in their stride and every day they give us their best work," he said.
"The business is on a solid footing with the installation of a modern press, information technology systems and graphics. The latest development of the Fiji Times digital platform has ensured that we remain a modern voice in the news business."
Mr Arts said the shareholders and directors of the Fiji Times Ltd had given him and editor-in-chief Fred Wesley unconditional support during his time as publisher, particularly during the challenges of the recent Nai Lalakai sedition trial.
"I could not have expected anything more, the support was 100 per cent," he said.
Fiji Times director Rajesh Patel said Mr Arts performed his role with great courage, especially during the Nai Lalakai sedition trial of the last two years.
Mr Patel said he's glad that Mr Arts would remain with the company for a while longer to help in the transition to new commercial leadership.