The Fiji Times- one of Fiji’s longest serving daily newspaper says the Prime Ministers attack on them today is unfortunate.

This follows the Opposition Leader’s comments this week saying the government’s education plan to open boarding schools to students in the maritime and rural areas will weaken the itaukei community.

In a press conference yesterday Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama condemned the Fiji Times for irresponsible reporting.

“Rather than report dispassionately and in the interests of national stability, the Fiji Times is controlled by a cabal that manipulates the news agenda and uses inflammatory language to create disunity, division and instability and to advance its own political interests.”

Fiji Times Editor in Chief Fred Wesley says the attack on them is unfortunate and the comments of the Opposition are not opinions of the newspaper.

Wesley adds the government has a right to be heard and so as the opposition.

He adds freedom of the press, and of the right to impart information is enshrined in the 2013 Constitution.