REVIEW: Noted: Human touch, revealing media insights into Speight’s coup

Abstract

At 10.45am on the morning of 19 May 2000, Fiji’s Parliament was disrupted when six gunmen entered and demanded the government step down. This is how it happened: Mr Speaker: (Standing up) What is this? Stranger No. 1: This is a civil coup, hold tight, nobody move! Mr Speaker: Yes? Stranger No. 1: This is a civil coup by the people, the taukei people and we ask you to please retire to your Chamber right now, Mr Speaker. Please co-operate so nobody will get hurt. (p. 18) This is an extract from Speight of Violence, a book which recalls the memories of the 2000 coup as seen through the eyes of three people—Dr Tupeni Baba, a Deputy Prime Minister in the hostage government, his wife Unaisi and journalist Michael Field.

Keywords

• Fiji coups
• George Speight