Fiji arrest of journalist over source protection raises Pacific concerns

24 February 2026 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Fiji arrest of journalist over source protection raises Pacific concerns 

The Free Speech Union is concerned by the arrest and detention of journalist Charlie Charters in Fiji after he refused to identify a whistleblower source to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC). Using arrest powers to pressure journalists into revealing sources chills reporting and discourages whistleblowers across the region. 

“Detaining a journalist at an airport and offering freedom in exchange for a source name is a line democratic societies should not cross,” said Jillaine Heather, Chief Executive of the Free Speech Union. “If agencies can bargain with liberty to extract sources, investigative journalism becomes a liability rather than a public service.” 

“FICAC promotes whistleblower protections, but this case sends the opposite message: speak up and you may be hunted, and the reporter who protects you may be punished,” Ms Heather said.  

Charters was stopped at Nadi International Airport on Saturday while travelling to Sydney. According to his account and his legal team, he was told he could board his flight if he disclosed his source. He refused and was arrested, spending the weekend in custody at FICAC headquarters in Suva. 

He has been charged with two counts of aiding and abetting an unknown FICAC whistleblower to divulge confidential information. His lawyer, Seforan Fatiaki, alleges the detention was carried out to extract information rather than pursue a genuine criminal investigation, and says officials repeated the offer of release if Charters disclosed his source. 

The complaint Charters published alleged FICAC hired the daughter of the Fiji Sports Council CEO shortly after clearing that CEO of allegations involving a public sponsorship. 

Charters appeared in Suva Magistrates Court today and was granted bail of FJ$2,000. He is barred from leaving Fiji, must surrender his travel documents, and his case has been adjourned to 2 March. 

ENDS 

Notes to editor: 

Charlie Charters is a former senior manager at the Fiji Rugby Union, a former journalist (UPI stringer in Croatia, TV presenter in Fiji, freelance journalist in Hong Kong), and the first CEO of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance. He holds dual British-Fijian citizenship and is currently based in Hong Kong. 

FICAC (Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption) was established under the FICAC Act 2007 to investigate and prosecute corruption in Fiji. 

The charges against Charters are under Section 45 of the Crimes Act 2009 (aiding and abetting) read with Section 13G(1) of the FICAC Act 2007 (divulging official FICAC information).