. . .
Pacific Freedom Forum
mediafreedom@googlegroups.com
MEDIA RELEASE
Pacific Freedom Forum applauds Justice Lloyd decision in Fiji
For immediate release: Tuesday 27 November 2008 The Pacific Freedom Forum, an online network of Pacific journalists committed to advocacy of a free media and access to information, applauds the recent decision by Justice Ian Lloyd to open up Fiji Court of Appeal proceedings between its former and current governments.
The appeal, led by former PM Laisenia Qarase and other members of Fiji's last elected government comes after a Fiji High Court ruling last month validating their 2006 ousting.
Qarase, his government, and the entire Parliament had been dissolved by President Ratu Josefa Iloilo in the aftermath of the military takeover and ensuing state of emergency, two years ago.
"We commend and praise His Honour's wisdom and foresight in ruling that if matters are held in chambers, this would subject the judiciary to public suspicion," says PFF chair, Susuve Laumaea.
"By opening up all appeal proceedings to the media, Justice Lloyd is ensuring that there will be unfettered and unrestricted coverage of a case that is of interest to the citizens of Fiji," he says.
Setting March 2009 as the date for proceedings Justice Lloyd has ruled out the question of having the hearing in chambers, away from public scrutiny. He noted that the original case had been opened up to the media in the spirit of ensuring public understanding of the issues involved.
The PFF co-chair Monica Miller says Justice Lloyd has recognized the need for the trial to be held in open court thereby maintaining the trust of the Fijian people in the independence and integrity of the judiciary.
"Coming at a time when the interim military regime has engaged in intimidating and harassing media organizations, journalists, editors and publishers, His Honour's decision gives us hope that the current climate is only temporary, and we sincerely hope that other decision makers of Fiji will emulate the example of Justice Lloyd in allowing open access to the media".
ENDS
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.
. . .
Pacific Freedom Forum is a regional media body, monitoring threats to press freedom and journalism ethics across Oceania.
Wednesday, 26 November 2008
Thursday, 13 November 2008
PFF calls on Fiji AG to stop assault on human rights
. . .
MEDIA RELEASE
PAGO PAGO (PFF 14 November 2008): Pacific Freedom Forum (PFF), an online-based regional media advocacy group, has condemned the Fiji regime’s “escalating campaign of intimidation” against local news media.
The PFF said in a statement today:
“On behalf of all supporters of a free media in the Pacific region, we the members of the Pacific Freedom Forum (PFF), express our concern and alarm at the Interim Government of Fiji’s escalating campaign of intimidation against media freedom in Fiji.
“We respectfully appeal to the Attorney-General of Fiji, Mr Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, to immediately stop his continuing and unreasonable legal pursuit of Fiji Times editor Netani Rika and publisher Rex Gardner over the paper’s recent publication of a letter to the editor which was critical of the High Court of Fiji’s validation of the 2006 military coup.
“The PFF also directs this appeal to the Interim Prime Minister of Fiji, Commodore, Voreqe Bainimarama, whose portfolio responsibilities include the Ministry of Information.
“The co-chair Susuve Laumaea, of Papua New Guinea, said: “The PFF has been moved to make its second media statement on this issue in less than two weeks (see the PFF’s 31 October statement PFF warns against growing culture of intimidation in Fiji) because of the Attorney-General’s November 11 announcement that the government will apply to the High Court to impose jail sentences on the Fiji Times publisher and editor over this matter, and is also seeking to impose a hefty fine on the newspaper.”
“We readily acknowledge that professional media standards require that freedom of expression also carries a responsibility to respect the legal rights of others,” said Laumaea.
“However, we note that the Fiji Times has already publicly and prominently apologised for any legal breach it may have committed, by printing a front page admission that it was in contempt when it published the offending letter to the editor, and has offered to pay costs.”
“The PFF co-chair, Samoan journalist Monica Miller, said in any other democratic country, such an apology would be sufficient.
“While we do not condone the Fiji Times’ failure to live up to its own high standards by publishing the letter in question, this careless oversight has already deeply embarrassed a newspaper with a long and proud record in Fiji, and could also lead to a significant financial penalty,“ said Miller.
“We believe that a major lesson to be learned from this affair is that there is an urgent need for higher standards of subediting, and a much stronger commitment by media proprietors in Fiji and around the South Pacific to training journalists in this vital skill,” continued Miller, a past president of the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA).
“The people of Fiji should realise that this is not just a media freedom issue. It is a human rights issue.”
“The PFF is particularly concerned that the action by the Attorney-General will infringe on the citizens of Fiji’s rights to free speech. People may now think twice about writing letters to the daily papers to express their legitimate thoughts and opinions, in case they somehow upset the Attorney-General (or indeed any other government official.)
“We believe the Attorney-General’s actions are contrary to the “Freedom of Expression” provision enshrined in Chapter 4, Section 30 of the Constitution of Fiji, which states:
(1) Every person has the right to freedom of speech and expression, including:
(2) Freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas; and
(3) Freedom of the press and other media.
“It also goes against the principles enshrined in Article 19 of the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states:
“Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
“PFF calls on Fiji’s Interim Prime Minister, His Excellency President Josefa Iloilo, and the nation’s church and community leaders to counsel the Attorney-General to cease these attacks on the inalienable human rights of the people of Fiji.
“And we pray that organisations that stand for human rights in Fiji and around the world will join us in lobbying against the actions taken by Fiji’s Attorney General.”
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
MEDIA RELEASE
PAGO PAGO (PFF 14 November 2008): Pacific Freedom Forum (PFF), an online-based regional media advocacy group, has condemned the Fiji regime’s “escalating campaign of intimidation” against local news media.
The PFF said in a statement today:
“On behalf of all supporters of a free media in the Pacific region, we the members of the Pacific Freedom Forum (PFF), express our concern and alarm at the Interim Government of Fiji’s escalating campaign of intimidation against media freedom in Fiji.
“We respectfully appeal to the Attorney-General of Fiji, Mr Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, to immediately stop his continuing and unreasonable legal pursuit of Fiji Times editor Netani Rika and publisher Rex Gardner over the paper’s recent publication of a letter to the editor which was critical of the High Court of Fiji’s validation of the 2006 military coup.
“The PFF also directs this appeal to the Interim Prime Minister of Fiji, Commodore, Voreqe Bainimarama, whose portfolio responsibilities include the Ministry of Information.
“The co-chair Susuve Laumaea, of Papua New Guinea, said: “The PFF has been moved to make its second media statement on this issue in less than two weeks (see the PFF’s 31 October statement PFF warns against growing culture of intimidation in Fiji) because of the Attorney-General’s November 11 announcement that the government will apply to the High Court to impose jail sentences on the Fiji Times publisher and editor over this matter, and is also seeking to impose a hefty fine on the newspaper.”
“We readily acknowledge that professional media standards require that freedom of expression also carries a responsibility to respect the legal rights of others,” said Laumaea.
“However, we note that the Fiji Times has already publicly and prominently apologised for any legal breach it may have committed, by printing a front page admission that it was in contempt when it published the offending letter to the editor, and has offered to pay costs.”
“The PFF co-chair, Samoan journalist Monica Miller, said in any other democratic country, such an apology would be sufficient.
“While we do not condone the Fiji Times’ failure to live up to its own high standards by publishing the letter in question, this careless oversight has already deeply embarrassed a newspaper with a long and proud record in Fiji, and could also lead to a significant financial penalty,“ said Miller.
“We believe that a major lesson to be learned from this affair is that there is an urgent need for higher standards of subediting, and a much stronger commitment by media proprietors in Fiji and around the South Pacific to training journalists in this vital skill,” continued Miller, a past president of the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA).
“The people of Fiji should realise that this is not just a media freedom issue. It is a human rights issue.”
“The PFF is particularly concerned that the action by the Attorney-General will infringe on the citizens of Fiji’s rights to free speech. People may now think twice about writing letters to the daily papers to express their legitimate thoughts and opinions, in case they somehow upset the Attorney-General (or indeed any other government official.)
“We believe the Attorney-General’s actions are contrary to the “Freedom of Expression” provision enshrined in Chapter 4, Section 30 of the Constitution of Fiji, which states:
(1) Every person has the right to freedom of speech and expression, including:
(2) Freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas; and
(3) Freedom of the press and other media.
“It also goes against the principles enshrined in Article 19 of the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states:
“Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
“PFF calls on Fiji’s Interim Prime Minister, His Excellency President Josefa Iloilo, and the nation’s church and community leaders to counsel the Attorney-General to cease these attacks on the inalienable human rights of the people of Fiji.
“And we pray that organisations that stand for human rights in Fiji and around the world will join us in lobbying against the actions taken by Fiji’s Attorney General.”
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.
. . .
Thursday, 6 November 2008
forum transparency
Forum transparency membership,
public vs. private
12 public members
20 private members
member transparency = 37 %
management, public vs. private
9 public managers 5 private managers
manager transparency = 64 %
. . .
Forum membership as at 20 august 2008
The Pacific Freedom Forum now has 32 members, 15 of them signing within the first 24 hours.
Well, only 14, really, because in the rush PFF forgot to add Susuve Laumaea to the Forum email list.
A bit puzzling for Lauaea, considering the forum had asked him to co-chair the forum and act as a spokesperson with Monica Miller. It only took a few days for a PFF manager to get suspicious as to why the co-chair was so quiet.
. . .
Emerging transparency
From an industry that calls continually for transparency, members of the media are a shy bunch - just 35 % - one out of three - opting to publicly declare their support for the Pacific Freedom Forum.
An encouraging sign to emerge is a strong commitment towards transparency from founding forum managers, nine of 14 managers opting to go public - about two thirds.
At first glance - or thin slice as the jargon has it - the public face of freedoms seems a fair cross-section of islands media. There is a student, senior manager, news director, random freelancers, media volunteers, company directors, an academic and an aspiring politician, one with extensive experience on both sides of hourly deadlines.
Background
In one short sentence, the Pacific Freedom Forum is an advocacy space for urgent issues facing freedoms of speech.
PFF is the latest acronym to leap into the alphabet stew of regional institutions, a fresh, young pea, bobbing around bravely among big, meaty NGOs, CSOs, NSAs, dodging a PING, a PANG, and a PIANGO of jargon-laden social justice.
Actually, one acronym is completely made up, presenting a golden opportunity for more vowel mash-ups.
. . .
Formal motion
After a few days internal debate over chicken-or-egg priorities, PFF noticed a media query asking for more details about members. This prompted a speedy motion, formally mooted, that:
"That all members of the Pacific Freedom Forum agree that all current membership details i.e. name, current positions, and country of residence be publicly and permanently disclosed, with agreement to this transparency being a pre-condition of any future membership application."
One private manager suggested that members could put their names to each motion as they saw fit – building precedence on a case-by-case basis.
. . .
Membership transparency
An original 13 members of the Pacific Freedom Forum, joining within 24 hours, have all been given manager status by the forum founder.
Of those 14, nine have chosen to join a public list following formal motion to require public disclosure of membership.
Of the remaining five, private, managers, one points out that some PFF members have valid cause for wanting to stay anonymous. Issues like job loss, or even harassment by military thugs sounds like valid cause for private membership.
. . .
Generally accepted practice
Private sources can give valuable insight and feedback. This idea is so fundamental to journalism that even junior journos would go, “yeah – duh.” Given that it is generally accepted practice on the frontlines of journalism, it could be argued that similar synergies apply back among the support troops. In short, there is journalistic precedence for the approach apparently supported by most PFF members and managers.
. . .
Originally posted to avaiki nius agency.
public vs. private
12 public members
20 private members
member transparency = 37 %
management, public vs. private
9 public managers 5 private managers
manager transparency = 64 %
. . .
Forum membership as at 20 august 2008
The Pacific Freedom Forum now has 32 members, 15 of them signing within the first 24 hours.
Well, only 14, really, because in the rush PFF forgot to add Susuve Laumaea to the Forum email list.
A bit puzzling for Lauaea, considering the forum had asked him to co-chair the forum and act as a spokesperson with Monica Miller. It only took a few days for a PFF manager to get suspicious as to why the co-chair was so quiet.
. . .
Emerging transparency
From an industry that calls continually for transparency, members of the media are a shy bunch - just 35 % - one out of three - opting to publicly declare their support for the Pacific Freedom Forum.
An encouraging sign to emerge is a strong commitment towards transparency from founding forum managers, nine of 14 managers opting to go public - about two thirds.
At first glance - or thin slice as the jargon has it - the public face of freedoms seems a fair cross-section of islands media. There is a student, senior manager, news director, random freelancers, media volunteers, company directors, an academic and an aspiring politician, one with extensive experience on both sides of hourly deadlines.
Background
In one short sentence, the Pacific Freedom Forum is an advocacy space for urgent issues facing freedoms of speech.
PFF is the latest acronym to leap into the alphabet stew of regional institutions, a fresh, young pea, bobbing around bravely among big, meaty NGOs, CSOs, NSAs, dodging a PING, a PANG, and a PIANGO of jargon-laden social justice.
Actually, one acronym is completely made up, presenting a golden opportunity for more vowel mash-ups.
. . .
Formal motion
After a few days internal debate over chicken-or-egg priorities, PFF noticed a media query asking for more details about members. This prompted a speedy motion, formally mooted, that:
"That all members of the Pacific Freedom Forum agree that all current membership details i.e. name, current positions, and country of residence be publicly and permanently disclosed, with agreement to this transparency being a pre-condition of any future membership application."
One private manager suggested that members could put their names to each motion as they saw fit – building precedence on a case-by-case basis.
. . .
Membership transparency
An original 13 members of the Pacific Freedom Forum, joining within 24 hours, have all been given manager status by the forum founder.
Of those 14, nine have chosen to join a public list following formal motion to require public disclosure of membership.
Of the remaining five, private, managers, one points out that some PFF members have valid cause for wanting to stay anonymous. Issues like job loss, or even harassment by military thugs sounds like valid cause for private membership.
. . .
Generally accepted practice
Private sources can give valuable insight and feedback. This idea is so fundamental to journalism that even junior journos would go, “yeah – duh.” Given that it is generally accepted practice on the frontlines of journalism, it could be argued that similar synergies apply back among the support troops. In short, there is journalistic precedence for the approach apparently supported by most PFF members and managers.
. . .
Originally posted to avaiki nius agency.
yehiura hriehwazi
. . .
name: yehiura hriehwazi
public profile: google
positions: manager
organisations: pacific islands journalism online, pacific freedom forum
country: papua new guinea
contributor: the national
member: pacific islands journalism online, pacific freedom forum,
public profile: google
positions: manager
organisations: pacific islands journalism online, pacific freedom forum
country: papua new guinea
contributor: the national
member: pacific islands journalism online, pacific freedom forum,
john anderson
. . .
no photo online - must be shy!
name: john anderson
public profile: google
positions: director, trainer
organisations: nei tabera ni kai video
status: ngo
country: kiribati
contributor:
member: pacific islands journalism online, pacific freedom forum
. . .
no photo online - must be shy!
name: john anderson
public profile: google
positions: director, trainer
organisations: nei tabera ni kai video
status: ngo
country: kiribati
contributor:
member: pacific islands journalism online, pacific freedom forum
. . .
Wednesday, 5 November 2008
jason brown
. . .
name: jason brown
public profile: google
positions: editor, acting secretary, interim secretary
organisations: avaiki news agency, pacific islands media association, cook islands journalists association, interim.
status: ngos
country: avaiki, cook islands
contributor: islands business international, pacific media watch, jpk update
member: pacific islands news association PINA (pending response), pacific islands media association, pacific islands journalism online PIJO, pacific freedom forum PFF manager.
. . .
name: jason brown
public profile: google
positions: editor, acting secretary, interim secretary
organisations: avaiki news agency, pacific islands media association, cook islands journalists association, interim.
status: ngos
country: avaiki, cook islands
contributor: islands business international, pacific media watch, jpk update
member: pacific islands news association PINA (pending response), pacific islands media association, pacific islands journalism online PIJO, pacific freedom forum PFF manager.
. . .
alfred sasako
. . .
name: alfred sasako
public profile: google
positions:
organisations:
status: ngos, government
country: solomon islands
contributor:
member: media association solomon islands MASI, pacific islands journalism online PIJO, pacific freedom forum, PFF.
. . .
name: alfred sasako
public profile: google
positions:
organisations:
status: ngos, government
country: solomon islands
contributor:
member: media association solomon islands MASI, pacific islands journalism online PIJO, pacific freedom forum, PFF.
. . .
photo: un.org via solomon times
ulamila wragg
. . .
name: ulamila kurai wragg
public profile: google
positions: managing editor
organisations: pacific magazine
member: pacific islands journalism online, pacific freedom forum manager
name: ulamila kurai wragg
public profile: google
positions: managing editor
organisations: pacific magazine
member: pacific islands journalism online, pacific freedom forum manager
. . .
Tuesday, 4 November 2008
PFF condemns assault of Pacific media veteran
Media Release
Pacific Freedom Forum condemns assault of Pacific media veteran
For immediate release: Friday 25 October, 2008
Media workers across the Pacific have strongly condemned the violent bashing of veteran media advocate, journalist, and trainer Peter Lomas.
Initial reports show that Lomas was punched, and repeatedly kicked by a fellow employee at the Solomon Star newspaper in Honiara, Solomon Islands more than a month ago.
He sustained injuries from which he is still recovering, and has stated he is unable to comment on the matter.
"The Freedom Forum stance is clear. There is no room for violence in the workplace, home or anywhere, and we see this beating of Mr. Lomas as an affront to media freedom," says Forum Co-chair Monica Miller.
"Around the world journalists are being badgered, harassed, assaulted and even killed in the performance of their duties. It is a sad day for journalism in our peaceful Pacific when a journalist, one who has done so much to develop and raise the standards of news media in our region, sustains serious injuries at the hands of a colleague."
Through the Freedom Forum and its umbrella network, Pacific Islands Journalism Online, Lomas has received messages of support from media workers in the region expressing their shock and disbelief at the incident and apparent lack of prosecution.
Miller, a broadcast journalist based in American Samoa, is co-chair of the PFF, chaired by PNG media columnist Susuve Laumaea.
She says it is "disturbing and disappointing" that the Freedom Forum has only just found out about the matter this week.
"A lot of abuse may be going on under our noses that are not being reported. The problem with unreported abuse is that it can begin to appear normal. The current situation shows that we as media workers have to do a better job monitoring incidents that threaten the physical well being of journalists, anywhere."
She says the Freedom Forum is united in its respect for our Solomon Islands colleagues; and its stance on promoting the rule of law in our nations to deal with violence as the crime that it is.
She adds it is the hope of the Forum that the owners of the Solomon Star will see to it that the assailant is brought to justice and take steps to ensure Mr Lomas and others can freely practice journalism and provide training to media colleagues in the Solomon Islands.
Both Miller and the Solomon Islands Star publisher John Lamani are life members and former presidents of the regional media body, PINA.
Given the silence over the bashing by both the Star and PINA, who see it as an internally-resolved, 'in-house' matter, Miller says it's important that Pacific media not permit their respect for roles and institutions to get in the way of ethics and the rule of law.
"The main issue here is the beating of a media practitioner, and applying the same rules that we apply to the same scenario where the assailant is not a media employee," she says.
--ENDS
PFF interim Chair
Susuve Laumaea Sunday Chronicle Newspaper Papua New Guinea
Mobile: 675-684 5168 Office: 675-321-7040 Email: susuve.laum...@interoil.com
PFF interim co-Chair
Monica Miller KHJ Radio American Samoa
Mob 684 258-4197 Office 684 633-7793 Email: mon...@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.
. . .
Pacific Freedom Forum condemns assault of Pacific media veteran
For immediate release: Friday 25 October, 2008
Media workers across the Pacific have strongly condemned the violent bashing of veteran media advocate, journalist, and trainer Peter Lomas.
Initial reports show that Lomas was punched, and repeatedly kicked by a fellow employee at the Solomon Star newspaper in Honiara, Solomon Islands more than a month ago.
He sustained injuries from which he is still recovering, and has stated he is unable to comment on the matter.
"The Freedom Forum stance is clear. There is no room for violence in the workplace, home or anywhere, and we see this beating of Mr. Lomas as an affront to media freedom," says Forum Co-chair Monica Miller.
"Around the world journalists are being badgered, harassed, assaulted and even killed in the performance of their duties. It is a sad day for journalism in our peaceful Pacific when a journalist, one who has done so much to develop and raise the standards of news media in our region, sustains serious injuries at the hands of a colleague."
Through the Freedom Forum and its umbrella network, Pacific Islands Journalism Online, Lomas has received messages of support from media workers in the region expressing their shock and disbelief at the incident and apparent lack of prosecution.
Miller, a broadcast journalist based in American Samoa, is co-chair of the PFF, chaired by PNG media columnist Susuve Laumaea.
She says it is "disturbing and disappointing" that the Freedom Forum has only just found out about the matter this week.
"A lot of abuse may be going on under our noses that are not being reported. The problem with unreported abuse is that it can begin to appear normal. The current situation shows that we as media workers have to do a better job monitoring incidents that threaten the physical well being of journalists, anywhere."
She says the Freedom Forum is united in its respect for our Solomon Islands colleagues; and its stance on promoting the rule of law in our nations to deal with violence as the crime that it is.
She adds it is the hope of the Forum that the owners of the Solomon Star will see to it that the assailant is brought to justice and take steps to ensure Mr Lomas and others can freely practice journalism and provide training to media colleagues in the Solomon Islands.
Both Miller and the Solomon Islands Star publisher John Lamani are life members and former presidents of the regional media body, PINA.
Given the silence over the bashing by both the Star and PINA, who see it as an internally-resolved, 'in-house' matter, Miller says it's important that Pacific media not permit their respect for roles and institutions to get in the way of ethics and the rule of law.
"The main issue here is the beating of a media practitioner, and applying the same rules that we apply to the same scenario where the assailant is not a media employee," she says.
--ENDS
PFF interim Chair
Susuve Laumaea Sunday Chronicle Newspaper Papua New Guinea
Mobile: 675-684 5168 Office: 675-321-7040 Email: susuve.laum...@interoil.com
PFF interim co-Chair
Monica Miller KHJ Radio American Samoa
Mob 684 258-4197 Office 684 633-7793 Email: mon...@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.
. . .
lisa williams-lahari
. . .
name: lisa williams-lahari
public profile: google
positions: founder
organisations: pacific islands journalism online, pacific freedom forum
country: cook islands,
contributor: islands business international
member: pacific islands journalism online, pacific freedom forum
. . .
susuve laumaea
. . .
name: susuve laumaea
public profile: google
positions: chair
organisations: pacific freedom forum,
country: papua new guinea
contributor:
member: pacific islands journalism online, pacific freedom forum
. . .
name: susuve laumaea
public profile: google
positions: chair
organisations: pacific freedom forum,
country: papua new guinea
contributor:
member: pacific islands journalism online, pacific freedom forum
. . .
pacific freedom forum mission
. . .
PFF mission
"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 mission
"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."
. . .
name: monica miller
public profile: google
PFF positions: editor, co-chair
organisations: 93khj radio, pacific freedom forum
country: Samoa, American Samoa
member: pacific islands journalism online, pacific freedom forum
public profile: google
PFF positions: editor, co-chair
organisations: 93khj radio, pacific freedom forum
country: Samoa, American Samoa
member: pacific islands journalism online, pacific freedom forum
. . .
members of the pacific freedom forum
. . .
members
More than 50 leading managers, workers, academics and observers of freedoms in the media and information sectors are now members of the Pacific Freedom Forum.
Listed below are those who have chosen to support the forum publicly.
susuve laumaea - chairman
monica miller - chairwoman
lisa williams-lahari
yehiura hriehwazi
titi gabi
ulamila kurai wragg
alfred sasako
jason brown
linda uan
john anderson
mark hayes
. . .
members
More than 50 leading managers, workers, academics and observers of freedoms in the media and information sectors are now members of the Pacific Freedom Forum.
Listed below are those who have chosen to support the forum publicly.
susuve laumaea - chairman
monica miller - chairwoman
lisa williams-lahari
yehiura hriehwazi
titi gabi
ulamila kurai wragg
alfred sasako
jason brown
linda uan
john anderson
mark hayes
. . .
participate in the pacific freedom forum
. . .
participate
Participation in the Pacific Freedom Forum is simple - simply apply to be a part of our regional online forum.
Apply here, giving details of current professional interests to the focus areas of the PFF.
Alternatively, you can leave a comment below, expressing support for the aims of the forum - criticism also welcome!
. . .
participate
Participation in the Pacific Freedom Forum is simple - simply apply to be a part of our regional online forum.
Apply here, giving details of current professional interests to the focus areas of the PFF.
Alternatively, you can leave a comment below, expressing support for the aims of the forum - criticism also welcome!
. . .
home
. . .
The Freedom Forum is for those who want to help monitor and call attention to situations threatening a free and independant Pacific media.
Membership of the Forum is a vote of support for monitoring and advocacy work, clearly linking a free press to a healthy and democractic Pacific community.
Some members are listed publicly, others work behind the scenes.
. . .
The Freedom Forum is for those who want to help monitor and call attention to situations threatening a free and independant Pacific media.
Membership of the Forum is a vote of support for monitoring and advocacy work, clearly linking a free press to a healthy and democractic Pacific community.
Some members are listed publicly, others work behind the scenes.
. . .
Thursday, 30 October 2008
PFF warns against culture of intimidation in Fiji
Pacific Freedom Forum
mediafreedom@googlegroups.com
Media Release
PFF warns against growing culture of intimidation in Fiji
Friday 31 October, 2008: Leaders in Fiji's interim government should respect and safeguard the right to freedom of expression as enshrined in the islands' constitution, says the Pacific Freedom Forum.
The PFF says the current push by Fiji's interim Attorney-General Aihaz Sayed-Khaiyum to force disclosure on a letter to the Editor published in the Fiji Times is fuelling an ongoing campaign of intimidation against the media in Fiji.
"Seeking a court order to force a newspaper to divulge information given in the assurance that the source of the information would be kept confidential seems a bit heavy handed," says PFF chair Susuve Laumaea.
"Coming as it is following the forceful and inhumane deportation of two newspaper publishers from Fiji, the court order seems to perpetuate the culture of threats and intimidation that our colleagues in Fiji have been subjected to since the overthrow of the country's elected government in December 2006," added Laumaea, who hails from a newspaper background in Papua New Guinea.
PFF co-chair Monica Miller, a Samoan radio journalist and past president of the Pacific Islands News Association encouraged the AG to make use of existing public complaint procedures on media practice, via the Fiji Media Council.
"We urge the interim Attorney General Aihaz Sayed-Khaiyum as well as interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama to respect the people's right to express themselves freely without fear or intimidation," said Miller.
"We know Fiji has serious issues to deal with and we the members of the Forum respectfully submit that our colleagues in Fiji should be able to report fearlessly and responsibly.
"We do not think that securing a court order to force a newspaper to divulge its sources augurs well for media freedom in Fiji or for any other Pacific island nation for that matter," she says, "and we support the role of all AGs in the region to ensure that the rule of law exists to protect -- not to abuse -- the freedom granted by our Pacific constitutions."
Miller and Laumaea were responding to a Fiji Government statement on October 24 which stated that Attorney General Sayed-Khaiyum had asked the Fiji High Court to charge the Fiji Times newspaper for contempt.
It follows the publication of a letter to the editor by the newspaper, supposedly critical of the recent High Court decision on the appointment of the interim government now running Fiji.
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum also wanted the Fiji Times to reveal the full details of the author of the letter.
ENDS
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.
mediafreedom@googlegroups.com
Media Release
PFF warns against growing culture of intimidation in Fiji
Friday 31 October, 2008: Leaders in Fiji's interim government should respect and safeguard the right to freedom of expression as enshrined in the islands' constitution, says the Pacific Freedom Forum.
The PFF says the current push by Fiji's interim Attorney-General Aihaz Sayed-Khaiyum to force disclosure on a letter to the Editor published in the Fiji Times is fuelling an ongoing campaign of intimidation against the media in Fiji.
"Seeking a court order to force a newspaper to divulge information given in the assurance that the source of the information would be kept confidential seems a bit heavy handed," says PFF chair Susuve Laumaea.
"Coming as it is following the forceful and inhumane deportation of two newspaper publishers from Fiji, the court order seems to perpetuate the culture of threats and intimidation that our colleagues in Fiji have been subjected to since the overthrow of the country's elected government in December 2006," added Laumaea, who hails from a newspaper background in Papua New Guinea.
PFF co-chair Monica Miller, a Samoan radio journalist and past president of the Pacific Islands News Association encouraged the AG to make use of existing public complaint procedures on media practice, via the Fiji Media Council.
"We urge the interim Attorney General Aihaz Sayed-Khaiyum as well as interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama to respect the people's right to express themselves freely without fear or intimidation," said Miller.
"We know Fiji has serious issues to deal with and we the members of the Forum respectfully submit that our colleagues in Fiji should be able to report fearlessly and responsibly.
"We do not think that securing a court order to force a newspaper to divulge its sources augurs well for media freedom in Fiji or for any other Pacific island nation for that matter," she says, "and we support the role of all AGs in the region to ensure that the rule of law exists to protect -- not to abuse -- the freedom granted by our Pacific constitutions."
Miller and Laumaea were responding to a Fiji Government statement on October 24 which stated that Attorney General Sayed-Khaiyum had asked the Fiji High Court to charge the Fiji Times newspaper for contempt.
It follows the publication of a letter to the editor by the newspaper, supposedly critical of the recent High Court decision on the appointment of the interim government now running Fiji.
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum also wanted the Fiji Times to reveal the full details of the author of the letter.
ENDS
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.
Tuesday, 9 September 2008
pacific freedom forum about us
. . .
ABOUT US
Pacific Freedom Forum is an advocacy group set up August 2008 in response to threats against media and other freedoms in the islands region.
PFF is an off-the-record forum aimed at enabling input into public statements on regional freedoms.
This site is for public comments from members of the PFF and the general public, as well as a source of information about members of the PFF editorial board.
LINKS
PFF mission
what is xix ?
google pacific freedom forum
join pacific freedom forum
. . .
ABOUT US
Pacific Freedom Forum is an advocacy group set up August 2008 in response to threats against media and other freedoms in the islands region.
PFF is an off-the-record forum aimed at enabling input into public statements on regional freedoms.
This site is for public comments from members of the PFF and the general public, as well as a source of information about members of the PFF editorial board.
LINKS
PFF mission
what is xix ?
google pacific freedom forum
join pacific freedom forum
. . .
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