SUVA (Pacific Media Watch): The family of the murdered [Fiji] Red Cross director John Scott has called for the media to exercise some restraint and sensitivity in its reporting of this gruesome crime.

The family's desire is understandable and justified.

Parts of the media have been insensitive and less than balanced in their desire to beat their rivals in this most competitive of industries.

There is little doubt that the Fiji Media Council's code of ethics - drawn up in consultation with the industry - has been breached.

Unverified reports, facts sensationalised beyond recognition and pure hearsay have all been seen in the light of day in Fiji's media.

We as an industry can and should do better.

But curiously the media has been egged on its speculation by the actions of the police - not least those of its most senior officer, Commissioner Isikia Savua.

The whole Scott-Scrivener investigation has been conducted, it seems, under the full glare of the media spotlight.

There is no doubt that the commissioner was responding to media pressure to "say something" from day one.

The trouble is he responded too enthusiastically.

First there was a charge, then there wasn't.

There was a deadline for another arrest, then there wasn't.

There were pornographic video tapes and photographs found at the crime scene, then there weren't.

There was white powder found at the scene which was "thought" to be an illegal drug. We're still waiting for the analysis on that one.

But throughout Mr Savua has encouraged, even fuelled, media speculation which can only have muddied the water for the investigating officers.

Of course, he cannot win here.

If he says nothing he will be accused of trying to hush up evidence to protect "important people".

Yet if he speaks out he risks being wrong and misleading the public.

Nevertheless, while an investigation is in progress and especially when a person has been charged, the police at all levels need to be extremely careful about what they say.

The accused, remember, is presumed innocent until found guilty - confession or no. (Let's not forget that more than one confession was forthcoming, one of them proved to be false).

Mr Savua might have been better advised to withhold information and - especially - comment until all the facts were clear.

He would have been hounded by the media as a result but at least he would have been consistent.

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