Pacific Freedom Forum

Palau: President urged to lift gag rule on AG

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Williams-Lahari) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 23:15:00 +0000

Pacific Freedom Forum, Rarotonga, COOK ISLANDS-- A presidential order banning Palau's Attorney General Ernestine Rengiil from giving her legal opinion directly to those seeking raises serious concerns over access to information and freedom of information for the island nation, says regional media watchdog the Pacific Freedom Forum, PFF.

The order, issued on January 27 now bans the Attorney General from issuing a legal opinion on any matter unless it is specifically authorized by the President or his Ministers. Under the Executive Order, the AG now has to confer with President Johnson Toribiong or a Minister on all requests. If a green light is given, the legal analysis still has to go back to the President with copies to the Ministers for final clearance before it can be provided to the person or group who first requested it.

"Controlling and restricting how the public's leading expert on the constitution can communicate with the people of Palau not only ends a well-established relationship for public access to the office of the AG, but now leaves all pending questions hanging,"says PFF chair Titi Gabi of PNG.

"Journalists wanting to have a quick legal insight into news of the day are not the only ones who will be affected by this ban. It's a blow for the right of Palauans to know what their elected leaders are
doing and we urge President Toribiong to reconsider his decision and reconsider the impact of this executive order, and revoke it,"

The lack of an explanation for the gag order raises questions around timing. National elections are set down for November 6.

The ban comes in the wake of questions from news broadcaster OTV regarding Palau's political campaign law. Current campaign laws provide for equal airtime between privately owned radio and TV for candidates. OTV had sought a legal opinion clarifying how the law applies to Senator Alfonso Diaz, a former journalist who runs talk back and promotion of his policies for several hours from his privately owned Radio Diaz station each morning, without similar access for other political candidates.

"The media ownership and campaign questions were relevant and all in a days journalism, but now Palau's voters may never have the answers -- or because of the vetting process involved, may not know until after the elections," says PFF co chair Monica Miller.

"Our media colleagues in Palau share the common situation of their journalism family across the developing Pacific. The office of the Attorney General can often be the only information link for sharing accurate legal information with the public on how their elected leaders are applying the rule of law. Gagging the Attorney General robs people of their right to know, and opens up room for speculation and misinformation." --ENDS

CONTACT:PFF ChairTiti Gabi | Freelance Journalist | Papua New GuineaMail: PO Box 7776, Boroko, NCD, Papua New Guinea | Mob: (675) 7314 3929 | Email: titi.gabipng@gmail.comPFF co-ChairMonica Miller | KHJ Radio | American SamoaMob 684 258-4197 | Office 684 633-7793 | Email: monica@khjradio.comThe Pacific Freedom Forum are a regional and global online network of Pacific media colleagues, with the specific intent of raising awareness and advocacy of the right of Pacific people to enjoy freedom of expression and be served by a free and independent media.We believe in the critical and basic link between these freedoms, and the vision of democratic and participatory governance pledged by our leaders in their endorsement of the Pacific Plan and other commitments to good governance. In support of the above, our key focus is monitoring threats to media freedom and bringing issues of concern to the attention of the wider regional and international community.

Defamation protections for Fiji regime unwelcome, says PFF.

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Williams-Lahari) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:54:00 +0000

PFF, Rarotonga, COOK ISLANDS -- Fiji's journalists are being warned to steer clear of the latest
media-related decree and stick to ethical standards to guide their reporting of regime speeches and statements.
The warning comes in the wake of the country's new state proceedings decree, which grants Fiji's regime leader and his ministers exemption from defamation suits over anything they may say in public or private.
Signed off on January 19th by the nation's President, the regime issued a statement this week claiming the decree will strengthen public discussion and consultation in the lead-up to planned elections in 2014.
"Defamation and libel restrictions are a cornerstone of journalism ethics training and the practice applies whether a country has defamation laws or not. A leadership which protects itself but not its
people from defamation suits cannot expect that to be welcome news. We urge and support our colleagues in Fiji to apply caution in interpreting this decree, and to resist any confusion with parliamentary privilege which is only applied by democratically elected leaders, only in their official capacity, and only from the Parliament floor," says PFF chair Titi Gabi from Papua New Guinea.
"Of all the decrees introduced by the regime this is the most blatant in its elitist protection of the regime leader and his ministers. The claim it will foster and open public debate because the media won't be facing defamation lawsuits over any stories quoting the regime leadership is a farce. Along with the Media Decree, this one should be immediately revoked."
"The best way to open public debate towards meaningful progress is to ensure the right to speak and be heard, to ask questions and to challenge ideas and policies, is to ensure everyone involved is able to openly do so. " says PFF co-chair Monica Miller from American Samoa.
"This is yet another regime decree which adds to the current Media and other decrees shaping what is expressed in public and who says it. We stand by those media colleagues in Fiji who will strive in difficult times to uphold ethical standards, especially as they seek balance and right of reply from individuals and groups who may soon bear the brunt of the latest edict", she says.--ENDS
LINKS
Decree announced: http://fijivillage.com/?mod=story&id=0802129451fb595af42a6c83cc7e4e

CONTACT:PFF ChairTiti Gabi | Freelance Journalist | Papua New GuineaMail: PO Box 7776, Boroko, NCD, Papua New Guinea | Mob: (675) 7314 3929 | Email: titi.gabipng@gmail.comPFF co-ChairMonica Miller | KHJ Radio | American SamoaMob 684 258-4197 | Office 684 633-7793 | Email: monica@khjradio.comThe Pacific Freedom Forum are a regional and global online network of Pacific media colleagues, with the specific intent of raising awareness and advocacy of the right of Pacific people to enjoy freedom of expression and be served by a free and independent media.We believe in the critical and basic link between these freedoms, and the vision of democratic and participatory governance pledged by our leaders in their endorsement of the Pacific Plan and other commitments to good governance. In support of the above, our key focus is monitoring threats to media freedom and bringing issues of concern to the attention of the wider regional and international community.

PNG: Investigation into media shooting threat needed says PFF

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Williams-Lahari) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:51:00 +0000

PFF, Rarotonga, COOK ISLANDS-- Journalists in Papua New Guinea must be able to report the ongoing political tensions in the country without fear or intimidation, says Pacific media monitoring watchdog the Pacific Freedom Forum, PFF.

Speaking from Port Moresby, PFF chair Titi Gabi has called for an investigation after soldiers at the Murray Barracks in Port Moresby reportedly threatened to shoot PNGFM reporter Tauna George on Thursday 26th January. George, a resident at the Barracks, had rushed to the front gates to see why shots were being fired randomly on the same morning. As he approached the main office to request an interview, four soldiers ordered him to sit down, searched him, removed his phone, notebook and biro, and threatened to shoot him.

The act of aggression was raised by PNG FM News Director Belinda Kora at a press conference called by ex-army colonel Yausa Sasa the same day. Sasa was taken by surprise, apologised and ordered the return of Tauna's equipment.

"An investigation into the officers who took it upon themselves to threaten the life of a journalist going about his job would help them better understand how to treat civilians and media workers during times of tension and upheaval," says Gabi. "Anyone who has a gun pulled on them and a threat to shoot is a victim of a criminal act, regardless of timing or who is behind the firearm."

She says other incidents and comments on social networking sites from PNG journalists have raised the need for media workers to "be vigilant of their safety and rights, and lean on the rule of law to help them do the best job possible."

ABC PNG stringer Firmin Nanol was also denied access to a Press Conference organised the same day. In front of other media colleagues, Nanol was shouted at by the PRO of Defence Dept and former journalist Benny Sandeka, who was blaming ABC for 'coup' adjectives used to report last weeks event.

The threats to PNG media in recent days come on the back of increasing incidences of self-censorship and intimidation in recent months within industry ranks. Journalists in the National Broadcasting Corporation and EMTV have noted unusual management decisions delaying or
pulling news bulletins for perceived 'imbalance'. In two cases, talk-back callers to an NBC live show were asked on-air if their comments were going to be for or against the O'Neill government. The troubled times for PNG newsrooms are compounded by the current leadership void for the nations once strong national media watchdog, the PNG Media Council.

"We encourage our PNG colleagues to discuss and report all acts of intimidation and harassment and promptly make all concerns known to other colleagues in the media," says PFF co chair Monica Miller, from American Samoa. "Self-censorship often results when intimidation, threats and silence become an accepted norm amongst journalists. We need to deal strongly and consistently with this on all fronts if we want to remain credible, independent and free."--ENDS

CONTACT:PFF ChairTiti Gabi | Freelance Journalist | Papua New GuineaMail: PO Box 7776, Boroko, NCD, Papua New Guinea | Mob: (675) 7314 3929 | Email: titi.gabipng@gmail.comPFF co-ChairMonica Miller | KHJ Radio | American SamoaMob 684 258-4197 | Office 684 633-7793 | Email: monica@khjradio.comThe Pacific Freedom Forum are a regional and global online network of Pacific media colleagues, with the specific intent of raising awareness and advocacy of the right of Pacific people to enjoy freedom of expression and be served by a free and independent media.We believe in the critical and basic link between these freedoms, and the vision of democratic and participatory governance pledged by our leaders in their endorsement of the Pacific Plan and other commitments to good governance. In support of the above, our key focus is monitoring threats to media freedom and bringing issues of concern to the attention of the wider regional and international community.

As 16 Days global campaign ends, newsroom vigilance on violence against women journalists needed: PFF

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Williams-Lahari) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 23:19:00 +0000

PFF, Rarotonga, COOK ISLANDS -- As the global 16 days of activism campaign against violence against women for 2011 ends this weekend, Pacific journalists reporting on violence against women are called on to expose abuse of their own colleagues.
"Globally, newsrooms are often majority staffed by women, so violence against women reporters has deeper implications for the rights of any citizen to stay informed," says Titi Gabi, chair of the Pacific Freedom Forum.
"Silence from many media outlets and violence victims on abuses they face, often from their partners, represents a deep shame and silence which all journalists must unite to condemn. PFF calls on journalists to continue to uphold ethics and integrity in reporting gender-based violence as a leading story in Pacific nations – and to be more vigilant, vocal and supportive of colleagues facing similar problems.."
Marking 16 days of activism against violence against women, Pacific impetus to the global campaign from November 25th to December 11th every year tends to come from civil society, gender advocacy and human rights networks.
Internal PFF alerts and those shared among a fledgling regional grouping for Pacific women journalists, called Pacific WAVE, reveals many incidents, particularly amongst women journalists in Melanesia, suffering from harassment, emotional and physical partner abuse.
“This is creating an ethical and cultural challenge for monitoring media freedom," says Gabi, from Port Moresby.
“Strategic and evidence-based actions to fight gender inequality in the media is difficult if the ones who are supposed to be shining the light on issues that need airing are also swallowed up in the silence on violence against women.”
The regional media freedom monitoring network which launched in 2008 has found a growing trend of reluctance from women journalists to report threats, harassment, abuse and violence, especially those suffering in their own homes.
The PFF concerns are confirmed by the WAVE Media Network which in its founding sessions and on going networking, reveals compelling but private stories of women journalists forced out of their workplaces after personal experiences linked to their professional calling.

PFF co chair Monica Miller of American Samoa says it's "Distressing that virtually all these alerts do not progress to statements because the information cannot be verified when women and their own colleagues in the workplace don’t feel they can make a stand for their rights and dignity, for whatever reason.”

“We call on women, and men, in the media to report threats, violence and abuse as soon as these events happen," says Miller.

"We encourage media colleagues aware of these events to speak out. Let perpetrators know their actions are criminal, not a ‘private’ or ‘domestic’ matter. And we ask media organisations to uphold gender equality in the workplace."

Secure journalists are more productive journalists, says Miller, which makes for better news reporting and well-informed, more productive communities.--ENDS

CONTACT:PFF ChairTiti Gabi | Freelance Journalist | Papua New GuineaMail: PO Box 7776, Boroko, NCD, Papua New Guinea | Mob: (675) 7314 3929 | Email: titi.gabipng@gmail.comPFF co-ChairMonica Miller | KHJ Radio | American SamoaMob 684 258-4197 | Office 684 633-7793 | Email: monica@khjradio.comThe Pacific Freedom Forum are a regional and global online network of Pacific media colleagues, with the specific intent of raising awareness and advocacy of the right of Pacific people to enjoy freedom of expression and be served by a free and independent media.We believe in the critical and basic link between these freedoms, and the vision of democratic and participatory governance pledged by our leaders in their endorsement of the Pacific Plan and other commitments to good governance. In support of the above, our key focus is monitoring threats to media freedom and bringing issues of concern to the attention of the wider regional and international community.

PNG: complaints process, ethics highlighted in defamation case

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Williams-Lahari) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 21:53:00 +0000

PFF, Rarotonga, COOK ISLANDS -- Another defamation suit filed against a PNG media organisation has raised questions on why public complaints are not being taken up with the national media complaints committee, says regional media freedom Monitoring network, the Pacific Freedom Forum, PFF.

Major logging, trading and media interest Rimbunan Hijau (RH) has filed a defamation suit against Papua New Guinea’s Post Courier newspaper over its coverage of an official investigation into logging interest by an RH Company in the Pomio district, in the West New Britain Province. The Post Courier reported several stories of police brutality on landowners unhappy with logging operations in the area. It was alleged the police were sent there by Rimbunan Hijau.
Defamation threats were also levelled at reporters covering the sale of the former Prime Minister's official jet. The threats were made by Air Niugini’s CEO, Wasanthra Kumarasiri when pressed to explain what the sale plans were and the cost involved.
And in August, a provincial governor named The National (which is owned by RH) in his defamation suit over stories he was unhappy with.
“The spate of defamation suits is a worrying trend. Using legal offices and language against journalists reporting the facts can lead to self-censorship by PNG media at a time when their investigative iournalism is badly needed,” says PFF chair Titi Gabi, of Papua New Guinea.
“The national Media Council manages a complaints process on behalf of news organisations who are its members who follow a code of ethics which members of the public are able to call on in their complaints,” says Gabi. “It’s a model of self-regulation which has worked in the past and should be strengthened because it works. We encourage the current claimants, and the public – especially leaders and companies with grievances over reportage, to take up the media council complaints process.
Under the PNG Constitution, freedom of speech, press, and information are guaranteed and defamation is not a criminal offense. However, journalists can be sued for defamation in civil cases but complaints are usually settled out of court before proceeding to hearings.
PFF co-chair Monica Miller of American Samoa says the PNG Media Council serves the region’s largest nation and spread of media organisations, and provides a model from which other developing media councils can learn.
“We are all interested in taking our cue from what works and what needs improving in all our own Pacific contexts – and it’s clear that a strong and transparent public complaints process beats a costly legal battle every time,” she says.--ENDS

LINKS:

Defamation against Post Courier: http://pidp.eastwestcenter.org/pireport/2011/November/11-11-09.htm

Defamation against the National: http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2011/08/png-provincial-governor-sues-the-national-for-defamation/

Fiji: Regime media bullying continues with contempt case: PFF

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Williams-Lahari) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 18:34:00 +0000

PFF, Rarotonga, COOK ISLANDS -- Fiji’s regime continues to cement its own repressive image with the latest contempt case filed against Fiji Times says regional media freedom monitoring network the Pacific Freedom Forum, or PFF.
Regime Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has taken offense at an article originally published in New Zealand’s Sunday Star-Times newspaper and republished in the Fiji Times on Nov 7th . The article dealt with an interview on Oceania Football staffer Dr Sahu Khan, who is appealing a regime decision disbarring him for a decade over professional misconduct charges. Oceania Football General Secretary Tai Nicholas made comments on the Fiji judiciary which have angered the military regime and offended its Attorney General.
“Once more we have the Fiji Times bearing the brunt of a regime tantrum against freedom of expression when it disagrees with their ‘journalism of hope’ branding,” says PNG’s Titi Gabi, chair of the PFF.
“Nicholas brings a long legal career to his role in Oceania football. He was expressing his opinion on the state of the judicial system in Fiji and the story seems to have passed the checks of regime censors as per the PER regulations which put the onus on newsroom censors to ensure reportage is screened for ‘offensive’ content,” Gabi says.
PFF repeats its call on the regime to repeal the PER and Media Decree to demonstrate meaningful efforts to restore Fiji to democracy.
“We believe in direct and in mediated complaints processes for complaints over breaches of media ethics and standards is the best way forward,"says PFF co chair Monica Miller of American Samoa.
“The ability to take criticism and respond to it maturely is what pacific communities demand of their leaders. Applied well, this skill would have a tremendous and valuable influence on public perceptions around leadership more powerful that the current practice of targeting media operators such as Fiji Times”, she says.
The contempt case will be heard on Monday, November 28th. --ENDS

LINKS

Fiji Sun -- http://www.fijisun.com.fj/main_page/view.asp?id=64602

Radio NZ International -- http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=64514

Fiji: PFF condemns unionist arrests, detentions

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Williams-Lahari) — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 04:30:00 +0000

PFF, Rarotonga, COOK ISLANDS: The arrest and detention of Fiji’s trade union movement leaders Daniel Urai and Felix Anthony continues the harassment and intimidation of citizens by the military regime, says regional media freedom monitoring network the Pacific Freedom Forum, PFF.
Fiji Trades Union Congress (FTUC) president Daniel Urai was arrested on October 29, 2011 at Nadi International Airport after returning from the Commonwealth Heads of Government events in Australia, a move condemned as politically motivated by Australia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Kevin Rudd.
Urai was held incommunicado at an undisclosed location for eight days until he appeared in the Suva Magistrates' Court on Monday, November 7, 2011. He has been charged with "urging political violence” under the regime’s Crimes Decree. Bail was initially refused and he was granted release on bail with curfew and other conditions on Wednesday afternoon Fiji time.
“It took more than a week of being held without charge, with no contact from family members, friends, colleagues, and legal support, for the regime to decide what to do with Urai. This deplorable situation raises obvious questions over charges being concocted out of politically motivated harassment. There just isn't enough information to suggest a timely process of evidence and investigation has taken place prior to his arrest,” says PFF chair Titi Gabi of Papua New Guinea.
“Pacific communities outside of Fiji continue to freely express ideas and opinions which may be critical of their governments, free from the fear of being ‘disappeared’ from their loved ones at a moment’s notice. We urge the regime to cease the arbitrary detention of selected citizens on sham charges, and repeat our call for lifting of the Public Emergency Regulations of April 2009 and the Media Decree which should have replaced the PER when it was introduced last November.” says Gabi.
“We are also concerned at news that FTUC general secretary Felix Anthony has also been made incommunicado and has yet to face charges since being ‘detained’ by the military at his office in Lautoka on Friday, November 4 and taken to Suva under heavy guard the following morning.”
"The right to meet in public places, to organise, to share opinions, ideas and express them no matter how critical or unpopular they may be, is the most obvious sign that our Pacific leaders have come of age and accept criticism as an essential part of public life, “says PFF co-chair Monica Miller of American Samoa.
“As the regime leaders continue to target citizens who express ideas and opinions that do not support their views, a culture of compliance and silence is being manipulated and misrepresented to future generations as the 'Fijian' way. The 'disappearing' of citizens held without charge or court appearance, rendered incommunicado by the military, is a madness that Pacific leaders must strongly condemn."ENDS

LINKS
ACT NOW campaign
http://www.labourstart.org/cgi-bin/solidarityforever/show_campaign.cgi?c=1155

Radio NZ International
http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=64267

http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=64279
CONTACT:PFF ChairTiti Gabi | Freelance Journalist | Papua New GuineaMail: PO Box 7776, Boroko, NCD, Papua New Guinea | Mob: (675) 7314 3929 | Email: titi.gabipng@gmail.comPFF co-ChairMonica Miller | KHJ Radio | American SamoaMob 684 258-4197 | Office 684 633-7793 | Email: monica@khjradio.comThe Pacific Freedom Forum are a regional and global online network of Pacific media colleagues, with the specific intent of raising awareness and advocacy of the right of Pacific people to enjoy freedom of expression and be served by a free and independent media.We believe in the critical and basic link between these freedoms, and the vision of democratic and participatory governance pledged by our leaders in their endorsement of the Pacific Plan and other commitments to good governance. In support of the above, our key focus is monitoring threats to media freedom and bringing issues of concern to the attention of the wider regional and international community.

Media pressure needed on West Papua: PFF

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Williams-Lahari) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 16:11:00 +0000

PFF, Rarotonga, COOK ISLANDS --Pacific journalists are urged to pay more attention to the humanrights tragedy unfolding on Papua New Guinea's borders in Indonesia’smineral-rich province of West Papua, says regional media freedom monitoringnetwork the Pacific Freedom Forum, PFF.
Both the Melanesian Spearhead Group and Pacific Forumleaders meetings this year revealed a silence from Pacific leaders on thisissue, despite strong civil society lobbying, and despite Indonesia being anObserver to the Melanesian Spearhead Group because of West Papua.
“With the killings and human rights abuses reported in recent weeks and the continued threats to journalists there, more Pacific journalistsoutside of West Papua should pressure their leaders to start explaining why apocket of indigenous Melanesians are unable to freely speak, share and gatherin peaceful protest, in their own land,” says PFF chair Titi Gabi, of Papua New Guinea.
The challenge comes as tensions around strike actions at the Freeport mine continue and more revelations of soldiers attacking and abusing indigenous Papuan villagers are reported in Indonesia’s Jakarta Globe. In October a pro-independence meeting in Jayapura sparked more armed force against unarmed civilians which left more than six people dead and hundreds more injured and arrested. Separately, strike actions at the Freeport mine has also sparked violence and led to armed action by security forces against unarmed civilians. The long running failure to investigate and prosecute those responsible for these crimes and breaches of Indonesia's human rights commitments has been condemned by groups in the region and across the globe, including Amnesty International.
“In solidarity with our colleagues in Indonesia and in support of the national Media Association of Vanuatu in their recent statement, PFF also condemns these brutal attacks on people determined to exercise their human their right to freely gather, and freely speak, in the province of West Papua. Journalists there are already experiencing threats and have been killed in the course of their investigations into what is happening," says Gabi.

Historically Melanesian, the province of West Papua is governedby Indonesia and classified by the UN as part of South East Asia. Indonesia’scontrol of West Papua was sealed during a controversial UN referendum in the60's. Many indigenous Papuans who’ve led the call for autonomy from Indonesiahave been forced to flee for their lives and live in exile in nations like Australiaand Vanuatu, where a leading West Papuan NGO is housed. Vanuatu is also hostcountry to the MSG secretariat.
Also in the lastmonth, the Pacific Journalism Review of the Pacific Media Centre at Auckland’sUniversity of Technology has highlighted West Papua in a special edition onPacific media freedom. In the last year in West Papua two journalists have beenkilled, there have been five abductions or attempted abductions, 18 assaults (includingrepeated cases against some journalists), censorship by both the civil andmilitary authorities and two police arrests without charges.
Speaking from Pagopago in American Samoa, PFF co-chairMonica Miller described the situation in West Papua as horrifying.
"It is hard forus in Polynesia to comprehend the horrific scale and severity of the violencedestroying the lives of our sister and brother wantoks. West Papua remindsjournalists of the call to ethics in seeking out the voiceless in Pacific communities,and bringing the powerful to account.”
“As Pacific journalists continue to question the impacts ofour colonial past on the Pacific politics and realities of today, authorities in New Zealand and Australia also need to look past the interestsof powerful investors and make human rights in West Papua a priorityissue." .--ENDS

LINKS

Vanuatu Daily Post on MSG and Indonesia

http://www.dailypost.vu/content/don%E2%80%99t-discuss-west-papua-behind-our-back-ayamiseba

Jakarta Globe articles

http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/editorschoice/at-papuan-congress-a-brutal-show-of-force/473327

http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/home/7-soldiers-detained-for-abuse-in-papua/476877

Amnesty International

https://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/indonesia-must-investigate-mine-strike-protest-killing-2011-10-10

Pacific Scoop

http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2011/09/pacific-will-not-be-free-until-west-papua-is-free-from-atrocities-say-activists/

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1109/S00254/mccully-plays-down-fiji-west-papua-issues.htm

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1110/S00776/australia-should-challenge-military-violence-in-west-papua.htm

Pacific Media Watch/Pacific Media Centre

http://www.pmc.aut.ac.nz/articles/west-papua-ignored-fiji-poll-condemned-forum-leaders-emerge

http://www.pmc.aut.ac.nz/pacific-media-watch/nz-media-blindfolded-over-west-papua-violence-say-critics-7692

Pacific Beat/Radio Australia

Push for West Papua to gain MSG status http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/pacbeat/stories/201103/s3172200.htm

NZ Pacifica journos reach ten-year milestone

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Williams-Lahari) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 18:59:00 +0000

PFF, Rarotonga, COOK ISLANDS -- Pacifica journalists in New Zealand celebrating ten years ofbetter networking and a space to share their concerns have reached a regionalmilestone, says the Pacific Freedom Forum.

PFF joins other regional colleagues in congratulatingthe Pacific Islands Media Association, PIMA, for reaching a decade of networkingand solidarity. “Already a minority in a country which has a strong Pacificpopulation and is host the world’s largest Polynesian centre, a relatively small cadre of Pacific Islands journalists working in New Zealand have come through a tough decade forjournalists, let alone New Zealand journalists and Pacific journalists. That is inspirational," says Papua New Guinea’s Titi Gabi, who chairsthe regional media freedom network.

“PFF is not even half the age of PIMA. But the concerns overkeeping professional standards in an industry facing high turnover and lack ofinterest as a long term career are shared. And the networking offered by linkingwith other journalists is definitely something which has marked the development of Pacific media in recent years."

The emergence and growth of institutions such as the Auckland University of Technology's Pacific Media Centre is helping to lead quality tertiary training and debates for Pacific journalists in New Zealand and the region, and continues to help boost membership and support for PIMA, says co-chair Monica Miller of American Samoa.

"We celebrate with our Pacific colleagues this week, and look forward to more shared efforts in future," she says.

Miller was amongstthose attending the May 2011 UNESCO World Press Freedom Day regional events in Apia,where PIMA formed part of the inaugural membership of the Media Alliance of thePacific. The MAP grouping provides a common platform for the different Pacific regional media networks to come together on issues and concerns they share, such as media freedom and training actions. -- ENDS

LINKS:
PIMA website www.pima.co.nz
Pacific Media Centre website www.pmc.aut.ac.nz

CONTACT:PFF ChairTiti Gabi | Freelance Journalist | Papua New GuineaMail: PO Box 7776, Boroko, NCD, Papua New Guinea | Mob: (675) 7314 3929 | Email: titi.gabipng@gmail.comPFF co-ChairMonica Miller | KHJ Radio | American SamoaMob 684 258-4197 | Office 684 633-7793 | Email: monica@khjradio.comThe Pacific Freedom Forum are a regional and global online network of Pacific media colleagues, with the specific intent of raising awareness and advocacy of the right of Pacific people to enjoy freedom of expression and be served by a free and independent media.We believe in the critical and basic link between these freedoms, and the vision of democratic and participatory governance pledged by our leaders in their endorsement of the Pacific Plan and other commitments to good governance. In support of the above, our key focus is monitoring threats to media freedom and bringing issues of concern to the attention of the wider regional and international community.

NZ press ban sets dangerous precedent - PFF

noreply@blogger.com (avaiki nius agency) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 21:06:00 +0000

Speaker Lockwood Smith

. . .

A ten day parliamentary ban on reporters from the largest daily newspaper in New Zealand sets a dangerous precedent for the rest of the region, warns the Pacific Freedom Forum.

"Banning all or part of the news media is a risky option for any parliamentary Speaker to take," says Pacific Freedom Forum chair Titi Gabi.

"As a regional leader, New Zealand decision makers need to be aware there are wider implications, including whether they are setting a precedent for partner countries."

Dr Smith imposed the ban on 7th October after a beneficiary leapt off the upstairs public gallery, protesting against government policies. A long-time Herald press gallery reporter, Audrey Young, snapped the moment with her phone camera and it was published online later that afternoon.

PFF has reviewed commentary from news media and other institutions since Dr Smith announced the ban earlier this month. PFF joins the New Zealand Press Gallery, the Commonwealth Press Union, and other news media in expressing concern.

"As part of the Fourth Estate, journalists attend Parliament for the same reason as honourable members", says Gabi.

"We are there to hold the government of the day to account", says Gabi.

New rules placing more restrictions on coverage will further hinder journalism from doing its job properly, says the PFF chair, speaking from Port Moresby.

"In the fortnight or so since the ban, this is being seen as especially worrisome, coming as it did six weeks before a general election."

PFF agrees with the Commonwealth Press Union and its Media Freedom Committee that the ban should result in a review of rules that must be followed by the press gallery.

"There may have been good reason to limit House coverage in the past," says Gabi.

"Journalists used to act as gatekeepers to most public awareness. But the question must be asked whether this still stands good today, in an era of almost unlimited access to public information, via internet and social networks," she says.

PFF applauds Dr Lockwood Smith for what is widely recognised as a robust and independent approach to the role of Speaker, even when dealing with MPs from his own party.

Dr Smith last year attacked government MPs for "reckless misuse of official data" - criticism that went unreported, with the New Zealand parliamentary press gallery instead focused on a visit to parliament, the same day, by beauty pageant contestants.

PFF co-chair Monica Miller also welcomed a decision by the Speaker to pull back from a total ban, but says relatively muted reaction to the ban in New Zealand shows up a lack of news media governance.

"Sad to say, there is not a strong voice for journalism in New Zealand."

The only union to represent journalism, the EPMU, the Electrical, Printing and Manufacturers Union, features just three press releases on its journalism site this year, with only six last year.

MEAA, the Australian media, entertainment and arts organisation, does have representation in New Zealand. But a PFF volunteer was advised during a brief, informal visit to the Auckland office this week that they are focused on actor equity issues, rather than news media or journalism.

There has not been a professional association for journalists in New Zealand since 1987.

Miller notes that an EPMU journalism review promised for 2008 has yet to appear.

"It is an irony that the only news media organisation to respond publicly to the journalism review is the New Zealand Herald chapel, strongly suggesting a political economy where there is a chilling effect on news media."

Some 30 other news media who responded to the journalism review did not want to be identified.

LINKS

Press Gallery Calls on Speaker to Reconsider Herald Decision

Editorial: Media ban should concern everyone

Watch the original footage of the Parliament jumper

Parliamentary security injured in scuffle – read more

Key makes hand gesture to throat following scuffle

. . .

PFF calls on Temaru to reconsider media shutdown

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Williams-Lahari) — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 12:36:00 +0000

Rarotonga, COOK ISLANDS -- Closing down state media outlets is a short-sighted reaction to cost cutting pressures in French Polynesia, says regional media monitoring network the Pacific Freedom Forum.

State-owned news service Agence Tahiti Presse will close at the end of the year and broadcaster Tahiti Nui Television may later face the same fate. According to news reports from the capital, Pape'ete, the decisions to axe the news agency has come from cost-cutting pressures from Paris as the global economc crisis affects budgets in France's territories.

"News media are an essential part of keeping the public informed and should be a last resort, not the first, for cost cutting," says PFF chair, Titi Gabi.

"Other island states are coming to realise their mistake in putting local media in the firing line."
French Polynesia is currently ruled by the pro-independence party of long-time campaigner Oscar Temaru.
Gabi says it would be "sadly ironic" for moves towards independence to begin with the closing down of local news media, "a time when independent scrutiny is needed most."
"Does the Temaru administration really want the main source of information to be coming from RFO radio and television, both services mainly staffed and run from Paris?" asks Gabi, from Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea.
PNG has recently seen an upswing in funding for state media, essential for informing a disparate and widely dispersed population, says PFF. Funding was increased after a 2006 review of Australian aid to the region found that populations were under more threat from natural and other disasters because of failing state media.
From American Samoa, PFF co-chair Monica Miller notes that French Polynesia faces financial pressures similar to other island nations.
"During the 80's and 90's, many islands were encouraged by aid donors like New Zealand and Australia to privatise government services and leave the market to fill the gap," says Miller.
"As some have found, a lack of strong state media to independently inform citizens about current events, especially disasters, has cost lives and much money."
PFF is calling on the Temaru administration to reassess the role of state media in cost cutting plans. "The founders of France long ago recognised the role of a strong news media when they outlined a constitution which calls not only for an independent media, but also media plurality - a variety of sources of information and views for citizens to consider," she says.
"It's essential for the efficient and effective development of French Polynesia for local media to be supported towards professional and independent journalism, rather than using budget pressures as the excuse to close the doors on a news outlet serving Tahiti and the region."
Such support might include the establishment of a professional journalism society for locals and long-time residents, and an independent media monitor to ensure news media remain accountable to their community, suggests PFF.
"In an information age, we all need more relevant and credible sources of information, not less. Our thoughts are with our news colleagues and their families in Tahiti as they face the prospect of being jobless for Christmas." says Miller.--ENDS

LINKS
AusAID Pacific AID findings on media
http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/jfadt/pacificaid/report/chapter5.htm

French constitution
http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/fr00000_.html

CONTACT:PFF ChairTiti Gabi | Freelance Journalist | Papua New GuineaMail: PO Box 7776, Boroko, NCD, Papua New Guinea | Mob: (675) 7314 3929 | Email: titi.gabipng@gmail.comPFF co-ChairMonica Miller | KHJ Radio | American SamoaMob 684 258-4197 | Office 684 633-7793 | Email: monica@khjradio.comThe Pacific Freedom Forum are a regional and global online network of Pacific media colleagues, with the specific intent of raising awareness and advocacy of the right of Pacific people to enjoy freedom of expression and be served by a free and independent media.We believe in the critical and basic link between these freedoms, and the vision of democratic and participatory governance pledged by our leaders in their endorsement of the Pacific Plan and other commitments to good governance. In support of the above, our key focus is monitoring threats to media freedom and bringing issues of concern to the attention of the wider regional and international community.

PINA 2012: Fiji venue a concern says PFF

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Williams-Lahari) — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 14:48:00 +0000

Rarotonga, COOK ISLANDS -- Updated arrangements for the Pacific Islands News Association biennial meeting have been welcomed by the Pacific Freedom Forum, but the regional media monitoring network is concerned over the potential pitfalls of hosting the event in Fiji.

The Pacific Islands News Association which has its coordinator, secretariat and regional news service based in Fiji's capital city, announced this week it would be postponing its 2011 Pacific Media Summit til early 2012 and relocating it from host country Papua New Guinea.

"Many PFF members trace their active advocacy of media freedom back to PINA, which is why we are concerned that media freedom will not be a leading agenda item given the current situation in Fiji" says PFF Chair Titi Gabi of Papua New Guinea.

"We support the optimism with which some colleagues have greeted the news. But a mutual dialogue best happens where both sides feel free to speak from their hearts, and skilled mediation is present," says Gabi. "As we saw in PINA 2009, the attendance by Fiji military personnel sparked a walkout and changed the tone of the whole event. What will happen next year?"

Under the media decree application process for a regional media meeting , every session of PINA 2012, every speaker presenting and the name of every delegate planning to attend has to be vetted by the regime, who can also be there 'monitoring' what is said.

Since April 2009, emergency regulations have suspended media freedom and the right to peaceful assembly, installed military censors in newsrooms, and led to a media decree which controls who can practice journalism and how they work. The last major media conference event hosted by Fiji was the Asia Pacific Institute for Broadcast Development event in July 2009. Local media were notably absent, and were largely represented by state media and military information officers.

Regional media events where freedom of expression has featured, originally planned for Fiji around World Press Freedom Day, have twice been relocated to Samoa. The last event, planned for World Press Freedom Day in May 2011, had its application rejected without explanation by Fiji's Ministry of Information just days after organisers were advised it had been accepted.

"PFF have previously called for a regional media mission to Fiji to allow for some direct and frank dialogue with the regime, Fiji's people, and our media colleagues," says PFF co-chair Monica Miller of American Samoa, "If having PINA 2012 in Suva can help to progress such a mission without compromising its independence, we would welcome it."--ENDS

CONTACT:PFF Chair Titi Gabi | Freelance Journalist | Papua New GuineaMail: PO Box 7776, Boroko, NCD, Papua New Guinea | Mob: (675) 7314 3929 | Email: titi.gabipng@gmail.comPFF co-ChairMonica Miller | KHJ Radio | American SamoaMob 684 258-4197 | Office 684 633-7793 | Email: monica@khjradio.comThe Pacific Freedom Forum are a regional and global online network of Pacific media colleagues, with the specific intent of raising awareness and advocacy of the right of Pacific people to enjoy freedom of expression and be served by a free and independent media.We believe in the critical and basic link between these freedoms, and the vision of democratic and participatory governance pledged by our leaders in their endorsement of the Pacific Plan and other commitments to good governance. In support of the above, our key focus is monitoring threats to media freedom and bringing issues of concern to the attention of the wider regional and international community.

Solomon Islands: Police action urged on 75,000 compensation demand

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Williams-Lahari) — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 04:45:00 +0000

Rarotonga, COOK ISLANDS -- Regional media monitoring network the Pacific Freedom Forum has welcomed news that Solomon Islands newspaper the Islands Sun has referred a $75,000 SBD (about 7,500 AUD) compensation demand against them to the Police.
The compensation demand was made on Thursday 21 September by supporters of West Honiara MP Namson Tram, following the front-page publication by Island Sun of a report into Tram's purchase and private registration of his government vehicle. Island Sun and other media outlets had quoted Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee Mathew Wale referring to the deal as criminal, with the paper's headline reflecting that label.The Media Association of the Solomon Islands, MASI has issued a statement denouncing the compensation demand as a form of harassment against journalists and media organisations which is 'inappropriate and disrespectful to media freedom in Solomon Islands."
"We stand by our colleagues in their stance against compensation threats of this kind which are clearly nothing more than attempts to extort money and have nothing to do with a custom arrangement," says PFF chair Titi Gabi of Papua New Guinea."We call on Police to complete their investigation in a timely manner mindful of the fact that this compensation demand involves an MP, and threats to personal safety of journalists involved," she says.She says harassment, abuse and threats against journalists should not be accepted as part of the news beat, and must be reported immediately to Police.
"While the context of media ethics and traditional customs will inform the Police investigation, we have to refer back to the rule of law. If journalists don't report threats and harassment to Police,they are effectively signalling that an illegal behaviour against themis acceptable."
"As Pacific journalists, it's important to understand that elements of culture are always going to be a point of contention in our work, but the bottom line is culture should make us better -- not worse, at doing the best job for our communities," says PFF co chair Monica Miller.
"Leading and award-winning journalists in the Solomon Islands havehelped to develop one of the best national media associations in thePacific. We commend MASI's important work in developing training and codes of ethics andpractice for journalists in the Solomons, and urge our colleagues inall outlets to advertise complaints procedures to their audiences so that more people understand what their choices are when they are offended by what is reported as news." ENDS.

LINKS--
ISLAND SUN report
http://www.islandsun.com.sb/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3622:wale-labels-tran-qa-crimminalq&catid=36:latest-news&Itemid=79
MASI statement
http://www.solomonstarnews.com/news/national/12355-masi-denounced-compensation-demand-on-island-sun-newspaper

CONTACT:PFF ChairTiti Gabi | Freelance Journalist | Papua New GuineaMail: PO Box 7776, Boroko, NCD, Papua New Guinea | Mob: (675) 7314 3929 | Email: titi.gabipng@gmail.comPFF co-ChairMonica Miller | KHJ Radio | American SamoaMob 684 258-4197 | Office 684 633-7793 | Email: monica@khjradio.comThe Pacific Freedom Forum are a regional and global online network of Pacific media colleagues, with the specific intent of raising awareness and advocacy of the right of Pacific people to enjoy freedom of expression and be served by a free and independent media.We believe in the critical and basic link between these freedoms, and the vision of democratic and participatory governance pledged by our leaders in their endorsement of the Pacific Plan and other commitments to good governance. In support of the above, our key focus is monitoring threats to media freedom and bringing issues of concern to the attention of the wider regional and international community.

PFF welcomes UN concern on Vanuatu media--next steps important

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Williams-Lahari) — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 00:49:00 +0000

Rarotonga, COOK ISLANDS----The 'serious concern' voiced by the United Nations over media rights abuses by Vanuatu's government is a milestone moment for Pacific media freedom work.
Regional monitoring watchdog the Pacific Freedom Forum, PFF and other media groups have led ongoing campaigns calling on serious abuses to media freedom in Vanuatu. PFF says the opinion expressed this week by the UN's Pacific Office for Human Rights regional representative Matilda Bogner is a welcome step by a key regional development partner opening up on an issue that's usually left to journalists to handle.
"It's good to see that the key regional body of the UN agency tasked with human rights is helping to raise the rights of journalists in this way," says PFF chair Titi Gabi of PNG.
"The ability of journalists to do their work without fear or favour means the public they serve can be informed without fear or favour. Vanuatu's leadership and other Pacific nations need to know that assaults and harassment of media workers undermines governance itself and lessens the credibility of leaders who allow it to happen on their watch," she says.
In her opinion published this week, Bogner notes the key basis of a free media to governance and accountability and points out guidelines for leaders in Vanuatu to help tackle the culture of impunity
surrounding harassment of journalists.
The Pacific Freedom Forum would especially welcome a country or regional visit by the UN Special
Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression, says Gabi.
"Journalists doing their jobs free from interference or censorship are one of the core features of thriving democracies. A country or regional visit by the UN special rapporteur assigned by Ban ki Moon to investigate and advocate around freedom of expression would really help Pacific governments understand their responsibility to protect, not control, a free media."
PFF has previously called on Pacific agencies who partner with media workers on training and development to raise their concerns with Pacific governments on their development commitments which rest on the support for human rights.
"We are mindful that regional agencies based in Fiji, where military censorship and leadership by decree continues to suppress freedom of expression and other key human rights, may themselves be
self-censoring and fearing for their personal and professional safety." says PFF co-Chair Monica Miller of American Samoa.
"It's the work of all of us, not just media and monitoring networks like PFF to sound the warnings when our governmentsbacktrack on their promises and agreements, especially on basic human rights. So we look forward to more opinions from the UN on Article 19 in the Pacific, including the country where the regional office is hosted-- Fiji."--ENDS
LINKS:

UN Pacific OHCHR opinion: Free media essential for any society:
http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2011/09/%E2%80%9Ca-free-media-is-essential-for-any-society%E2%80%9D/

PFF on Vanuatu assault -- March statement
http://www.pacificfreedomforum.org/2011/03/pacific-govts-must-distance-themselves.html

CONTACT:PFF ChairTiti Gabi | Freelance Journalist | Papua New GuineaMail: PO Box 7776, Boroko, NCD, Papua New Guinea | Mob: (675) 7314 3929 | Email: titi.gabipng@gmail.comPFF co-ChairMonica Miller | KHJ Radio | American SamoaMob 684 258-4197 | Office 684 633-7793 | Email: monica@khjradio.comThe Pacific Freedom Forum are a regional and global online network of Pacific media colleagues, with the specific intent of raising awareness and advocacy of the right of Pacific people to enjoy freedom of expression and be served by a free and independent media.We believe in the critical and basic link between these freedoms, and the vision of democratic and participatory governance pledged by our leaders in their endorsement of the Pacific Plan and other commitments to good governance. In support of the above, our key focus is monitoring threats to media freedom and bringing issues of concern to the attention of the wider regional and international community.

ABC tragedy a loss for Pacific: PFF

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Williams-Lahari) — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 05:05:00 +0000

Rarotonga, COOK ISLANDS-- The Pacific Freedom Forum joins with our Australian colleagues in mourningthe tragic deaths of three universally respected and highly experienced mediaworkers in a helicopter crash in far northern South Australia.

Reporter Paul Lockyer,camera operator John Bean, and pilot Gary Ticehurst had returned to Lake Eyreto continue their coverage from this remote location when the ABC helicopterreportedly crashed.

Over the two years, theteam had reported on how the usually dry Lake Eyre and the rivers and streamswhich feed into it were flooding as water from further north travelled southinto Australia's outback. Their work produced acclaimed television news andcurrent affairs stories, and breathtaking, world standard, documentary lengthprogrammes.

"We are especiallysaddened because this team's work has been seen on Australia NetworkTelevision, operated by the ABC, and brought the sights and sounds ofAustralia, especially rural and regional Australia, to the developingPacific," PFF co-chair, Titi Gabi, said from Port Moresby.

Over his 40 yearcareer, Paul Lockyer amply earned the respect of all with whom he worked, mostrecently with his reportage from the Queensland floods and cyclone disastersearlier in 2011.

Camera operator JohnBean had recently filmed in Papua New Guinea with Pacific Pulse presenter TaniaNugent and had also visited other Pacific countries, including Nauru, withreporters like Sean Dorney. Through his work on ABC TV's rural programme,Landline, he demonstrated great sensitivity with the issues and concerns ofpeople who rarely feature in mainstream journalism.

"The tragedy istruly a loss for the Pacific region and reminds us all of the risks mediaworkers run when travelling to report on stories of importance," Ms Gabisaid. "The team weren't caught up in a conflict, or a disaster, but werecontinuing their coverage of one of nature's great, and rare, phenomena, theflooding of one of Australia's great inland lakes, and the natural resurgencethis brings when it occurs."

"But even withmeticulous planning, in the hands of respected and highly experienced pilot,Gary Ticehurst, travelling to such remote locations, which require longdistance helicopter flights, is dangerous, as this tragedy has so sadlydemonstrated," Ms Gabi said.

"Our thoughts andprayers are with the three media worker's families, and our Australian ABCfriends and colleagues as they mourn, remember, and praise the lives, exemplarycareers, and example all three set," co-chair, Monica Miller, said fromPago Pago.

"The best way toremember Paul, John, and Gary is for all media workers to seek to emulate themin their professionalism and humanity.

"They will besorely missed," Ms Miller said.--ENDS

LINKS:

ABC website tributesflow:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-08-19/tributes-for-three-of-abc27s-finest/2846408

IFJ Joins AustralianJournalists in Mourning Loss of News Crew

http://asiapacific.ifj.org/en/articles/ifj-joins-australian-journalists-in-mourning-loss-of-news-crew

CONTACT: PFF Chair TitiGabi | Freelance Journalist | Papua New Guinea Mail: PO Box 7776, Boroko, NCD,Papua New Guinea | Mob: (675) 7314 3929 | Email: titi.gabipng@gmail.com PFFco-Chair Monica Miller | KHJ Radio | American Samoa Mob 684 258-4197 | Office684 633-7793 | Email: monica@khjradio.com The Pacific Freedom Forum are aregional and global online network of Pacific media colleagues, with thespecific intent of raising awareness and advocacy of the right of Pacificpeople to enjoy freedom of expression and be served by a free and independentmedia. We believe in the critical and basic link between these freedoms, andthe vision of democratic and participatory governance pledged by our leaders intheir endorsement of the Pacific Plan and other commitments to good governance.In support of the above, our key focus is monitoring threats to media freedomand bringing issues of concern to the attention of the wider regional andinternational community.

New chair for Pacific media freedom watchdog

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Williams-Lahari) — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 03:07:00 +0000

PFF, Rarotonga, COOK ISLANDS --The Pacific Freedom Forum has a newchair – Ms. Titi Gabi, an experienced journalist from Papua NewGuinea.

She replaces the group's first chair,Susuve Laumea, also from PNG.

A former journalist turned publicrelations worker, Laumaea resigned after objecting to internalcriticism from members.

“This is a tough role, advocatingfreedoms of expression for news media and other sectors, a causeoften finding itself embroiled in controversy with governments andbusiness,” says Gabi, from Port Moresby.

“I would like to thank Susuve Laumaeafor his contributions, and the confidence of my colleagues fromaround the region.”

No other nominations were received forthe position, with multiple messages of support received via theforum's online group.

Gabi gained a degree in Journalism fromthe University of Papua New Guinea, was a long-time News director and producer at PNG's EM-TV. A national and regional media trainer, she moved to radio as News Director at PNGFMLtd from 2005 until taking up freelancing in 2010.

“I look forward to working withcolleagues and further highlighting debate on freedom of expression,and how essential that is to stable democracy and economies.”

Changes at the top mark the thirdanniversary of founding of the Pacific Freedom Forum as an online network in August 2008.

Co-chair Monica Miller welcomed theappointment.

“PFF is pleased to maintain a balancebetween Melanesia and Polynesia at the leadership level of the forum,and we hope to also involve Micronesia to a greater extent.”

Speaking from Pagopago, Miller said theonly thing remarkable about having two women at the top at PFF washow unremarkable the nomination process was.

“Apparently, no one, man or woman,had any concerns about two women co-chairs, or even cracked a joke,which was most welcome.”

While gender balance might have beenpreferred, Miller notes that most newsroom workers around the worldtoday are women, even if management remains mostly dominated by men.

PFF released its first statements underthe new chair this week. Miller acted as interim chair after theLaumaea resignation.

Still a young network, PFF has put outmore than 100 statements covering all sub regions and with more than130 members online and at partner group, PIJO, Pacific IslandsJournalism Online.

PFF acts as the leading pacificassociate for the IFJ Pacific Human Rights and Democracy project,which took its cue from our Samoa meeting in 2009, and is also one oftwo Pacific-based members for IFEX, the global media alerts body.--ENDS

Another Fiji decree hurts human rights: PFF

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Williams-Lahari) — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 01:48:00 +0000

PFF, Rarotonga, COOK ISLANDS -- Regional media monitoring network the Pacific Freedom Forum has renewed its call on Fiji's regime leadership to repeal its Public Emergency Regulations and the 2010 Media Decree.

"Two years on from the public emergency these regulations were supposedly aimed at addressing, the PER and Media Decree have turned out to be nothing more than a military gag on journalists and the right of Fiji's people to express their ideas and opinions freely," says PFF chair Titi Gabi of Papua New Guinea.

"Now another decree is on its way and we are concerned over the lack of public debate and discussion especially by unions who will be most affected by the new Essential Industries decree, " says Gabi.

Fiji trade unionists Daniel Urai and Dinesh Gounder were arrested and detained earlier this month for trying to publicly discuss the new decree which has roused international concern on workers rights.
They will appear in court on September 2 on charges of gathering without a permit.

"Effectively, using the PER as a pretense, the regime continues to make things we take for granted -- meeting and openly sharing ideas and information, a criminal offence. A permitis not going to be granted to any space where potential disagreement with regime policy or action might happen. We denounce that as bullying, aimed at silencing those who should be leading the public discussion and debates by Fiji's people of what's going on in their own country," says Gabi.

"We've long been concerned over the impact of the PER and Media Decree on our colleagues which robs them of their ability to report freely on what is happening in Fiji," says PFF co-chair Monica Miller of American Samoa.

"Free speech is tightly linked to the freedoms of association and assembly, and we stand in solidarity with workers groups in Fiji who are basically being cornered with no room to discuss how they will be affected bythe new decree."

"A leadership which stops it's own people from meeting and sharing frank and honest opinions in public, is clearly uncomfortable with a nation where free and fair comment is enjoyed by all."--ENDS.

RELEVANT LINKS:

Concern over Fiji Trade Union arrests: http://australianetworknews.com/stories/201108/3288155.htm?desktop
http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/pacbeat/stories/201108/s3285741.htm

Australian Trade Unions write to Prime Minister Gillard on Fiji :http://www.actu.org.au/Campaigns/International/InternationalSolidarity/LettertoPMondeterioratingsituationinFiji.aspx

Amnesty release on workers rights in Fiji: http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/ASA18/003/2011/en/7c5fe764-3ac5-4128-a944-f8a0c64f9c60/asa180032011en.html

CONTACT:PFF ChairTiti Gabi | Freelance Journalist | Papua New GuineaMail: PO Box 7776, Boroko, NCD, Papua New Guinea | Mob: (675) 7314 3929 | Email: titi.gabipng@gmail.comPFF co-ChairMonica Miller | KHJ Radio | American SamoaMob 684 258-4197 | Office 684 633-7793 | Email: monica@khjradio.comThe Pacific Freedom Forum are a regional and global online network of Pacific media colleagues, with the specific intent of raising awareness and advocacy of the right of Pacific people to enjoy freedom of expression and be served by a free and independent media.We believe in the critical and basic link between these freedoms, and the vision of democratic and participatory governance pledged by our leaders in their endorsement of the Pacific Plan and other commitments to good governance. In support of the above, our key focus is monitoring threats to media freedom and bringing issues of concern to the attention of the wider regional and international community.

Fiji: Fatality highlights news support roles

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Williams-Lahari) — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 02:55:00 +0000

PFF, Rarotonga, COOK ISLANDS -- The Pacific Freedom Forum is extending condolences and sympathy tofamily, friends and media colleagues of the Fiji Times circulations staffer killed in a vehicle accident on Monday 8 August in Fiji.

The deceased has been confirmed as 24-year old Kaveni Korovou, of Nabouciwa Village in Tailevu. He was part of a Fiji Times collections team doing runs when the vehiclereportedly lost control and overturned in Nalovo, near Nadi. Two other passengers in the vehicle were treated forinjuries at the Nadi Hospital. In keeping with tradition, the newspapers management visited Korovou'swidow and father as part of the police team relaying the direct news of his death.

Police are still investigating the cause of the accident and have charged the driver, a 50-year-old Fiji Times employee related to Korovou, with careless driving.

"Korovou was one of many behind the scenes staff who make daily newspapers such as the Fiji Times a key information source for tens of thousands of readers who have little notion of those who do the behind the scenes work of news delivery," says PFF chair Titi Gabi of Papua New Guinea.

"We are reminded that news journalists are only a small part of the many teams involved in news production, and extend our deepest condolences to his colleagues, village, and family at this time of
bereavement,"

It's understood Police are dealing directly with the Fiji Times newspaper management as Korovou died while on work assignment for the company where he was a casual staffer.

Korovou's funeral arrangements are still being finalised.

"It's our hope that the company's insurance policy covering workplace and work related accidents will cover Korovou's widow and their two young babies," says PFF co-chair Monica Miller of American Samoa.

"We commend the actions and sensitivity of management so far."--ENDS

CONTACT:PFF ChairTiti Gabi | Freelance Journalist | Papua New GuineaMail: PO Box 7776, Boroko, NCD, Papua New Guinea | Mob: (675) 7314 3929 | Email: titi.gabipng@gmail.com

PFF co-ChairMonica Miller | KHJ Radio | American SamoaMob 684 258-4197 | Office 684 633-7793 | Email: monica@khjradio.com

The Pacific Freedom Forum are a regional and global online network of Pacific media colleagues, with the specific intent of raising awareness and advocacy of the right of Pacific people to enjoy freedom of expression and be served by a free and independent media.We believe in the critical and basic link between these freedoms, and the vision of democratic and participatory governance pledged by our leaders in their endorsement of the Pacific Plan and other commitments to good governance. In support of the above, our key focus is monitoring threats to media freedom and bringing issues of concern to the attention of the wider regional and international community.

Vanuatu state media must serve public, not politicians-- PFF

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Williams-Lahari) — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 22:48:00 +0000

PFF, Rarotonga, COOK ISLANDS-- Another episode of newsroom intimidation in Vanuatu by a government minister has been strongly condemned by regional media monitoring watchdog, the Pacific Freedom Forum, PFF. And politicians must be reminded that state media outlets funded by taxpayers should be able to do their jobs without interference or pressure.
According to news reports (see links below), Vanuatu's Minister of Ni-Vanuatu business, Pastor Don Ken visited the newsroom of the state-owned Vanuatu Broadcasting and Television Corporation demanding that a story covering his arrest and jailing on the eve of Vanuatu Independence day celebrations last month be censored.
"We stand in solidarity with the Media Assosiasen Blo Vanuatu statement noting this action is unacceptable, and call on ministers to set the example to other public officials on upholding editorial independence of all media," says PFF chair Titi Gabi, of Papua New Guinea.
"Whether they work for a state or private media outlet, journalists should be able to impartially inform the public freely and without fear or favour -- especially when it comes to highly paid and powerful public servants whose actions breach a nation's law, or codes of conduct," she says.
According to news reports, journalists at Vanuatu Broadcasting and Television Corporation are concerned over ongoing political intimidation in the wake of threats of legal action by Minister Ken. His highly publicised arrest and jailing during Vanuatu's 2011 independence celebrations prompted his visit to the newsroom of the state broadcaster. In recent weeks, PFF had also condemned and questioned the court fine against Vanuatu's Minister of Public Utilities and Infrastructure Harry Iauko, who was involved in the assault on the publisher of the Vanuatu Daily Post in early March. He was fined the local equivalent of about 150 US dollars after he pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the assault on Marc Neil Jones while more serious charges to which he entered a not guilty plea were withdrawn by prosecutors.
"We implore the Prime Minister to stamp out the political intimidation undermining his own leadership" says PFF co-chair Monica Miller, of American Samoa.
"Sadly, without an immediate and well-coordinated official investigation into the incident, we fear that this abuse of position and power will continue. Vanuatu's people need to know that the ongoing culture of impunity and intimidation amongst their elected leaders is not just damaging the credibility of their government. Their right to be told the truth is also at stake."--ENDS

LINKS
VBTC Act: http://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/text.jsp?file_id=197758#LinkTarget_195

Vanuatu media calls on govt to stop threats: http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=62350

CONTACT: Pacific Freedom Forum

Chair Titi Gabi | Freelance Journalist, PO Box 7776, Boroko, NCD, PNG | PNG Mob (675) 7314 3929 | Email: titi.gabipng@gmail.com

Co-ChairMonica Miller | KHJ Radio | American SamoaMob 684 258-4197 | Office 684 633-7793 | Email: monica@khjradio.com

The Pacific Freedom Forum are a regional and global online network of Pacific media colleagues, with the specific intent of raising awareness and advocacy of the right of Pacific people to enjoy freedom of expression and be served by a free and independent media.We believe in the critical and basic link between these freedoms, and the vision of democratic and participatory governance pledged by our leaders in their endorsement of the Pacific Plan and other commitments to good governance. In support of the above, our key focus is monitoring threats to media freedom and bringing issues of concern to the attention of the wider regional and international community.

News Corp scandal brings ethics home for Pacific: PFF

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Williams-Lahari) — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 00:35:00 +0000

Pacific Freedom Forum, Rarotonga, COOK ISLANDS -- Pacific journalists following the global coverage over the News Corp phone-hacking scandal are putting pressures on newsroom practice around ethics and conduct codes for journalists, says regional media monitoring body the Pacific Freedom Forum, PFF.
"The unravelling of the credibility of newsroom practice in the News Corp fallout should serve as a lesson for all of us in the media and a reminder that self-regulation needs to mean something more than a mere promise to behave." says PFF acting chair Monica Miller, of American Samoa.
While many news organisations across the region have codes of conduct and ethics guidelines, few have procedures for monitoring and dealing with breaches of self-regulation.
"As well as the need for stronger self-regulation, the latest resignations within the News Limited organisation and the historic appearance of Rupert Murdoch before the British Parliamentary select committee this week are a wake up call on relationships between journalists and the powerful in small island communities. This is fraught with complex issues and we note the need to support journalists to confirm that boundaries are a necessary part of the ethics in newsrooms -- and to clarify what those boundaries are," says Miller.
PFF has welcomed news of codes of ethics training in Vanuatu and last weekend in Fiji.
"These initiatives, developed in partnerships between senior journalists and the International Federation of Journalists, reveal that media colleagues are taking up the challenges over self regulation in tune with global events. The intentions of the Media Alliance of the Pacific -- of which PFF is a member, to develop a regional ethics code can only help spread advocacy and awareness of strong self regulation," she says.
"As the News Corp saga continues, we expect it will continue to highlight the gaps and challenges of regulating the media industry and support any call for updated and relevant research into the current state of Pacific media ownership and diversity of media outlets," says Miller.--ENDS

LINKS
Quick guide to Newscorp scandal-- http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/18/us-newscorp-quickguide-idUSTRE76H5SA20110718

CONTACT:PFF Acting ChairMonica Miller | KHJ Radio | American SamoaMob 684 258-4197 | Office 684 633-7793 | Email: monica@khjradio.comThe Pacific Freedom Forum are a regional and global online network of Pacific media colleagues, with the specific intent of raising awareness and advocacy of the right of Pacific people to enjoy freedom of expression and be served by a free and independent media.We believe in the critical and basic link between these freedoms, and the vision of democratic and participatory governance pledged by our leaders in their endorsement of the Pacific Plan and other commitments to good governance. In support of the above, our key focus is monitoring threats to media freedom and bringing issues of concern to the attention of the wider regional and international community.

Justice denied in Vanuatu publisher assault: PFF

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Williams-Lahari) — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 05:50:00 +0000

PFF, Rarotonga, COOK ISLANDS- A minimal fine given to a Vanuatu cabinet minister who entered a guilty plea for his part in the bashing of Daily Post publisher Marc Neil-Jones represents a clear victory for bush justice over the rule of law, says regional media monitoring group the Pacific Freedom Forum.

Government minister Harry Iauko was fined the local equivalent of 150USD late last week after he entered guilty pleas to aiding and abetting the March 4 assault on Neil-Jones at the Daily Post premises. Under Vanuatu law, the applicable sentence for an assault where no permanent damage is caused to the victim is a fine or prison term of no less than 12 months. Seven other men sentenced along with Iauko received fines of up to 1,000 USD for their roles in the group attack.

"PFF joins those in Vanuatu and globally who condemn the clear message from this sentence -- that it's OK for high level leaders of Vanuatu to lead mobs into newsrooms and bash up people whose job is to keep the public informed -- and that justice can be turned on its head to keep the powerful in power."

"After months of uncertainty and concerns over an interference with due process, the Vanuatu justice system has delivered a verdict which shows that Neil Jones and media colleagues had every right to be worried that justice would not be served," says Miller, "and we are very concerned over comments by the Deputy Prime Minister Ham Lini to a New Zealand journalist noting he felt media had 'exaggerated' the case which wasn't serious as no-one had died. Does a journalist have to die before media freedom and the conduct of leaders is taken seriously?"

"It's especially disturbing that prosecutors dropped charges of unlawful assembly, unlawful entry and criminal trespass against the minister simply because he entered a not guilty plea. Others in his group plead guilty to the same charges, so surely this provided clear grounds for the prosecution case to be heard?"

"Again, we raise the issue of equality before the law. If the reverse had happened and Minister Iauko had been assaulted by the Daily Post publisher, it is certain that Neil-Jones would not be dealt a 150USD fine and have other charges for which his accomplices had already entered guilty pleas, withdrawn for no compelling reason."

Miller says the matter should not rest. "Vanuatu's Prime Minister should know that this issue has cost him and his cabinet a huge amount of credibility. This isn't just about a Vanuatu citizen being denied justice by his own nation's legal system. This sentence tells Vanuatu's people and all of us that a rule of law which exists for all people, can bow down to the rule of thuggery. It's not an attractive look for any government and we urge the leadership and relevant leadership tribunal bodies in Vanuatu to follow through on this case as PFF intends to bring this matter before the Office of the United Nations Human Rights Commissioner."--ENDS

LINKS:
Radio NZI coverage--http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=61586

CONTACT: PFF Acting Chair Monica Miller | KHJ Radio | American Samoa Mob 684 258-4197 | Office 684 633-7793 | Email: monica@khjradio.com The Pacific Freedom Forum are a regional and global online network of Pacific media colleagues, with the specific intent of raising awareness and advocacy of the right of Pacific people to enjoy freedom of expression and be served by a free and independent media. We believe in the critical and basic link between these freedoms, and the vision of democratic and participatory governance pledged by our leaders in their endorsement of the Pacific Plan and other commitments to good governance. In support of the above, our key focus is monitoring threats to media freedom and bringing issues of concern to the attention of the wider regional and international community.

New Public service broadcasters network a positive sign: PFF

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Williams-Lahari) — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 00:07:00 +0000

PFF, Rarotonga, COOK ISLANDS -- A newly-formed Pacific regional network for Public Service Broadcasters is a positive move for the industry and Pacific audiences, says regional media monitoring network the Pacific Freedom Forum, PFF.
State-owned broadcasters from Vanuatu, Tonga, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands launched the new group from their inaugural meeting in Port Vila this month.
"The history of Pacific media and public information has its roots in Public service broadcasting and this move from government stakeholders is a sign that public service broadcasting is getting some renewed attention," says PFF acting chair Monica Miller, of American Samoa.
"Public service broadcasting is people-service broadcasting, and has a special mandate to ensure it gives voice and participation to the silent," she says.
Market competition from commercial broadcasters, shrinking revenues for program production, staffing and technical standards, and resources to handle the switch from analogue to digital broadcasting are key priorities for the new network.
"We especially welcome any moves to address the levels of public confidence in state-owned media through guidelines and protocols which better define the roles of managing boards, and limit government interference," says Miller.
"Our news colleagues in public service broadcasters receive the same media ethics and news training as their colleagues anywhere else. It's important that we are all clear on standards, rights and rresponsibilities so they are able to maintain editorial independence as the best way to serve the public interest. And they should be able to do so without second guessing how political leaders may react to their work, and the flow on impacts for their jobs and families," she says.
"PFF looks forward to working with the new group to help strengthen free expression by Pacific people via the media systems which are managed in their interest," she says.
--ENDS.

CONTACT: PFF Acting Chair Monica Miller | KHJ Radio | American Samoa Mob 684 258-4197 | Office 684 633-7793 | Email: monica@khjradio.com The Pacific Freedom Forum are a regional and global online network of Pacific media colleagues, with the specific intent of raising awareness and advocacy of the right of Pacific people to enjoy freedom of expression and be served by a free and independent media. We believe in the critical and basic link between these freedoms, and the vision of democratic and participatory governance pledged by our leaders in their endorsement of the Pacific Plan and other commitments to good governance. In support of the above, our key focus is monitoring threats to media freedom and bringing issues of concern to the attention of the wider regional and international community.

PFF welcomes ethics focus in Vanuatu media monitoring training

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Williams-Lahari) — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 01:52:00 +0000

PFF, Rarotonga, COOK ISLANDS- A just-completed ethics and media monitoring workshop in Vanuatu is welcome news for regional media freedom monitoring network the Pacific Freedom Forum, PFF.
30 participants completed the ethics and media monitoring workshop held this Wednesday in Port Vila. It is a joint effort between the national media association in Vanuatu, MAV, Transparency
International, and the International Federation of Journalists Asia-Pacific project for Media, Democracy and Human Rights in the Pacific. As part of its support for in-country workshops aimed at
improving journalists awareness of media rights violations, the IFJ also funded leading media trainer Titi Gabi of Papua New Guinea as a resource trainer to the Vanuatu workshop.
"Newsroom codes of ethical practice set guiding principles for journalism standards in any community, and build a strong awareness of the impact of news on public debate," says PFF acting chair Monica Miller, of American Samoa.
"We congratulate our news colleagues and all involved in the Vanuatu training workshop for taking on the issues of media responsibility; and urge all to share existing codes more widely."
The call for increasing awareness of existing media ethics codes comes as serious media ethics breaches continue in Pacific media.
The Solomon's Star daily newspaper gave extensive reportage this month revealing the identity of a woman and her teenage son -- the woman had suffered massive physical abuse and trauma at the hands of her husband, including loss of an eye and forced sex with a dog.
"All the court reportage named the husband, which ensured the identity of the woman and their child has also been made public. Of extreme concern is the fact their child, a teenager, has been robbed of his right to privacy at this time," says Miller.
Other local media outlets including national broadcaster SIBC also named the husband in their radio coverage of the case and the information has been shared widely via social networks for Solomon Islands communities.
In Papua New Guinea, leading daily newspaper The PNG Post Courier featured full frontal nude colour photos of two obese children in its June 16 issue -- images which also gained followings and commentary on social networks.
"Sensitivity to victims of violence and to young children are key clauses of ethical coverage and its important that the editorial front line of our newsrooms is vigilant in that regard," says Miller.
"We encourage all media newsrooms to dust off their ethics codes and apply them. Importantly, we should support public access to complaints procedures," says Miller.
PFF and other regional networks in the founding membership of the umbrella Media Alliance of the Pacific, MAP, endorsed the creation of a regional code of ethics for journalists in May this year.
"Journalism codes of ethics share the same common concerns. A Pacific code makes sense and in terms of monitoring and complaints, could lead to a more effective space for addressing concerns over industry standards," says the PFF chair.--ENDS

Solomon's Star: http://www.solomonstarnews.com/news/national/11125-hubby-who-forces-wife-to-have-sex-with-dog-gets-8yrs
PNG Media Council Code of Ethics: http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20110615/wehome.htm
Media Assosiasen blong Vanuatu: www.mav.org.vu

CONTACT: PFF Acting Chair Monica Miller | KHJ Radio | American Samoa Mob 684 258-4197 | Office 684 633-7793 | Email: monica@khjradio.com The Pacific Freedom Forum are a regional and global online network of Pacific media colleagues, with the specific intent of raising awareness and advocacy of the right of Pacific people to enjoy freedom of expression and be served by a free and independent media. We believe in the critical and basic link between these freedoms, and the vision of democratic and participatory governance pledged by our leaders in their endorsement of the Pacific Plan and other commitments to good governance. In support of the above, our key focus is monitoring threats to media freedom and bringing issues of concern to the attention of the wider regional and international community.

PFF welcomes progress on Vanuatu publisher assault

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Williams-Lahari) — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 03:28:00 +0000

Rarotonga, COOK ISLANDS--Regional media monitoring network the Pacific Freedom Forum, PFF, has welcomed progress in Vanuatu over the March 4 assault of Daily Post publisher Marc Neil-Jones.

"News of a June 10 hearing date for the charges against the cabinet minister and eight other accomplices is progress, albeit incremental," says PFF Chair Susuve Laumaea of Papua New Guinea.

"Any assault complaint should expect a timely and clear process for action from investigating Police officers. Two months after he was beaten, Marc Neil Jones is still waiting for justice to take its
course and the allegations made against those involved, including Vanuatu Minister Harry Iauko, should be dealt with as soon as possible."

The Daily Post reported a new date of June 10 had been set for hearing the charges against Iauko and eight others connected to the assault of Daily Post publisher Marc Neil-Jones on March 4. Iauko hasn't appeared in court yet to enter a plea after the magistrates court had to postpone Friday's planned hearing because of an extraordinary sitting of Parliament.

The charges reportedly cover unlawful assembly, unlawful entry, intentional assault and threatening gestures, with it likely there may be amendments to that list. If the criminal case against Iauko succeeds, he may also face charges under Vanuatu's Leadership Code Act which calls for national leaders to observe the law, and follow fundamental principles of leadership contained in Article 66 of the Constitution.

"It's in everyone's interests, including the Vanuatu government, to ensure the hearings proceed so that people can have access to the facts of what took place, according to Vanuatu's own rule of law,"
says PFF co-chair Monica Miller of American Samoa, "We are not suggesting that special treatment be given to fast-track this case, but simply that it be heard in keeping with Vanuatu's own laws
covering all citizens whatever their ethnicity or job title."--ENDS

LINKS:

Pacific media watch article--http://www.pmc.aut.ac.nz/pacific-media-watch/2011-03-05/vanuatu-pacific-media-condemn-minister-and-his-thugs-attack-daily-pos

IFJ, PFF condemn attack on publisher: http://asiapacific.ifj.org/en/articles/group-attack-on-journalist-editor-threatened-in-vanuatu

CONTACT:
PFF interim Chair Susuve Laumaea | Sunday Chronicle Newspaper | Papua New Guinea Mobile: 675-684 5168 | Office: 675-321-7040 | Email: susuve.laumaea@interoil.com PFF interim co-Chair Monica Miller | KHJ Radio | American Samoa Mob 684 258-4197 | Office 684 633-7793 | Email: monica@khjradio.com The Pacific Freedom Forum are a regional and global online network of Pacific media colleagues, with the specific intent of raising awareness and advocacy of the right of Pacific people to enjoy freedom of expression and be served by a free and independent media. We believe in the critical and basic link between these freedoms, and the vision of democratic and participatory governance pledged by our leaders in their endorsement of the Pacific Plan and other commitments to good governance. In support of the above, our key focus is monitoring threats to media freedom and bringing issues of concern to the attention of the wider regional and international community.

'Think Fiji first' regime call must first 'Free Fiji media'-- PFF

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Williams-Lahari) — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 19:00:00 +0000

PFF, Rarotonga, COOK ISLANDS -- Regional media monitoring body the Pacific Freedom Forum, PFF, has challenged the Fiji regime to free its own media first as the best solution towards achieving their latest instruction to Fiji media to 'Think Fiji first.'

PFF responded to the Fiji regime's press conference this week featuring a statement by Information secretary Sharon Smith-Johns calling on all journalists there to 'Think Fiji first' and report in a 'fair and balanced way'.

"The statement is ironic, coming from a regime which has basically done its best to ensure that our media colleagues are mostly only able to report what the regime -- not news editors -- deems as fair or balanced," says PFF's Susuve Laumaea.

"It's clear in Fiji's case that balance and fairness are defined as content which lets a leadership avoid scrutiny and debate over its decisions. Sadly, that's not unique to Fiji or the Pacific. Gaps in perceptions between political leaders and journalists over what a free media does and whom they serve will always be a key challenge for media freedom," says Laumaea, of Papua New Guinea.

He and PFF co-chair Monica Miller of American Samoa invited Smith-Johns and the regime leadership to consider allowing a team of Pacific journalists to visit Fiji and discuss these issues with colleagues and the regime.

"Such a group would be able to have a dialogue with the Ministry of Information on how the tools for journalism are better applied when the laws allow journalists to do their jobs and report freely and fairly," he says.

The 'Think Fiji first' call from the regime has come in the wake of reporting over the defection to Tonga by former regime and military insider Ratu Tevita Mara, son of the nations founding Prime Minister.

The call follows other media developments in recent weeks which have shown how the Media Decree is taking its toll amongst Fiji's media ranks. The Fiji Times website, averaging three quarters of a million hits a month, went offline without explanation on April 18 and its Managing Editor Fred Wesley had only this week confirmed that the need to meet the requirements of the Media Decree had forced its suspension. Decree clauses on cross ownership are also casting more media jobs into uncertainty, with employees for Mai Life Magazine affected by the looming deadline by which founder Judith Ragg must relinquish her founding stake in the magazine because her husband Richard Broadbridge leads Mai TV.
"The cross ownership clauses have worrying implications for media convergence issues and raise more questions than answers, " says Miller.

"Overall, the issue that's clearly emerging from all the confusion and uncertainty is that efforts to gag the media via decree, censorship, or constant press conferencing over controlling definitions of balance and fairness are not working. Fiji will once more come 'first' when its media are free-- there's no simpler way to say it."--ENDS

LINKS:
Full statement by Sharon-Smith Johns, PS for Information, Fiji: http://www.fiji.gov.fj/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4195:statement-by-ps-smith-johns-think-fiji-first&catid=50:speeches&Itemid=168

Fiji Times Online 'upgrade' behind suspension :http://www.pmc.aut.ac.nz/pacific-media-watch/2011-05-29/fiji-offline-fiji-times-makes-digital-upgrade-comply-media-decree

Mai Life on market: http://www.pmc.aut.ac.nz/pacific-media-watch/2011-04-30/fiji-mai-life-market-comply-media-decree

CONTACT: PFF interim Chair Susuve Laumaea | Sunday Chronicle Newspaper | Papua New Guinea Mobile: 675-684 5168 | Office: 675-321-7040 | Email: susuve.laumaea@interoil.com PFF interim co-Chair Monica Miller | KHJ Radio | American Samoa Mob 684 258-4197 | Office 684 633-7793 | Email: monica@khjradio.com The Pacific Freedom Forum are a regional and global online network of Pacific media colleagues, with the specific intent of raising awareness and advocacy of the right of Pacific people to enjoy freedom of expression and be served by a free and independent media. We believe in the critical and basic link between these freedoms, and the vision of democratic and participatory governance pledged by our leaders in their endorsement of the Pacific Plan and other commitments to good governance. In support of the above, our key focus is monitoring threats to media freedom and bringing issues of concern to the attention of the wider regional and international community.