Pacific

Fiji to deal with student bloggers on case-by-case basis

17:45 pm on 1 June 2007

The Fiji interim regime says students suspected to be bloggers will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis and might lose their Fijian Affairs Board scholarships.

A number of blogs against the interim regime have emerged after last year's coup and the government is now threatening it will terminate indigenous Fijian students' scholarships if they are found to participate in the blogs.

A spokesperson for the interim prime minister, Parmesh Chand, says the interim regime is taking the matter seriously.

"It is a matter of concern to government if students who are being paid with taxpayers funds get endorsed in activities like that. It is obviously of deep concern and action will be taken on a case by case basis."

There have been reports that several students had been questioned by the military earlier this week, but Parmesh Chand says he is not aware of it.