A viral video showing the head of Fiji’s prison service, Acting Commissioner Sevuloni Naucukidi, involved in an alleged violent nightclub altercation has stirred public outrage, drawn a warning from the Online Safety Commission, and sparked fierce debate over accountability and media freedom.
The 30-second clip, filmed at Suva’s popular O’Reilley’s Bar, shows Naucukidi allegedly throwing punches at another man while staff scramble to intervene.
The viral video shared by The Fiji Times, the video has amassed over half a million views.
Naucukidi, who was appointed acting commissioner of the Fiji Corrections Service (FCS) in late March following the suspension of Commissioner Dr Jalesi Nakarawa, is now facing mounting public scrutiny. It remains unclear whether the incident occurred before or after his appointment. The FCS has not issued any public comment, and police say no formal complaint has been filed.
The Online Safety Commission has since confirmed receiving a complaint and has warned individuals and media outlets against sharing the footage. Citing Section 24 of the Online Safety Act 2018, the Commission said circulating harmful content online may carry legal consequences. While affirming support for media freedom, it urged the public to respect privacy, due process, and the rule of law.
But legal experts and press freedom advocates have condemned the warning.
Well-known Suva lawyer Richard Naidu labelled the Commission’s statement “ill-judged,” arguing that Section 24 is intended to protect individuals from personal harassment, not shield public figures from public interest scrutiny.
“The law does not exist to protect an accountable public figure from embarrassment.”
Assoc. Prof. Shailendra Singh, a prominent media expert at the University of the South Pacific, called the Commission’s response “shocking,” accusing it of misinterpreting its mandate and undermining basic democratic principles. He said the warning appeared aimed more at shielding power than promoting online safety — particularly striking, given it was issued on World Press Freedom Day.
Meanwhile, Minister for Justice Siromi Turaga has confirmed that the government is investigating the alleged incident.
Preliminary findings suggest the video may date back to early March. “We have contacted the owners of the establishment, who have confirmed that the video likely dates back to early March 2025,” Turaga told The Fiji Times, adding that efforts to verify the exact date are ongoing.
Turaga reminded all public servants that a certain level of decorum is expected, particularly when in uniform. “This serves as a reminder to all public office holders and civil servants that a certain level of decorum is expected at all times—whether that be Bula Friday wear or your official work attire,” he said.
“All officers are expected to behave responsibly during official hours and outside of official hours.”
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