UK law changes should prompt defamation review in Pacific: PFF

Nov 16, 2009:The Pacific Freedom Forum welcomes news of law changes dropping criminal defamation in the United Kingdom, as reported by media freedom organisation Article 19. "Pacific lawmakers and leaders in nations where criminal defamation still exists should look at doing the same and we would welcome and support a review building on the scoping done by the AusAID 'Informing Ctitizens' report of 2005," says PFF Chair Susuve Laumaea, of Papua New Guinea.

Papua New Guinea: ‘Aliens’ story needs independent review, says PFF

Nov 16, 2009: Papua New Guinea’s Post Courier daily newspaper is being urged by the Pacific freedom Forum to seek an independent review into a story which turned out to be a journalistic nightmare.
The Post Courier's November 10 front page '16,000 Aliens' headline and news story has caused controversy in Papua New Guinea, where a Parliamentary inquiry is being held into widespread anti-Asian race riots in May. The report placed the Philippines ambassador to Port Moresby Shirley Ho-Vicario before the committee on Friday 6 November, claiming she said out of 19,000 Filipinos in Papua New Guinea, 16,000
are illegal immigrants. Another paragraph said inquiry member MP Phillip Kikila had ‘confirmed’ the situation. Both the ambassador and the chair of the inquiry have since verified that she has never appeared before the inquiry. A follow up story printed by rival newspaper The National says the actual figures of
Filipinos in PNG is 10,120 in total with about 2,850 ‘illegals’. PFF Chair Susuve Laumaea of PNG says an independent review would help "address questions about how the media does its work and reassure the
public that when journalists get it wrong, we have a process in placefor getting a story back on track."
“Blame for the misreporting is being shifted to the MP mentioned in the initial report. But coverage of a parliamentary inquiry into anti-Asian riots has to focus on nailing the basics of journalism: getting the facts right. This is especially critical when reporting such an issue to a community already dealing with unemployment, violence and law enforcement problems,” he says.

Fiji regime, the world is watching -- PFF

November 5th 2009 – The illegal detention,assault and deportation of respected and leading Pacific academic Professor Brij Lal from Fiji (left)  must be strongly condemned by the Pacific and global community, says regional media watchdog the Pacific Freedom Forum.
Sources in Fiji confirmed Professor Lal was taken without reason late yesterday afternoon from his Suva Point home where his wife Dr Padma Lal resides. Dr Padma is based in Suva as the Chief Technical Advisor to the Oceania office of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. It was not until 7pm that the military confirmation on her husband’s situation came when the Australian embassy received information that Professor Lal, a Fiji-born Australian citizen, would be deported on the next available flight.
Professor Lal becomes the first academic to be detained and deported from Fiji. Just hours before his detention, he was on ABC Radio being asked his views on the Fiji situation, after the military regime gave marching orders to the Australian and New Zealand High Commissioners
this week.
"We are saddened and shocked by reports that Professor Lal was abused and threatened. An internationally renowned academic whose life’s work has been the history of Fiji; is plucked from his home without reason and is subjected to abuse to the extent that his ‘signature’ glasses are smashed during a detention. One would expect his interrogating officers to have maintained a minimum standard of conduct when telling detainees their views are unpopular and unwelcome," says PFF chair Susuve Laumaea of Papua New Guinea.

"The military regime must know the world is watching in disgust as free speech is ripped, through acts such as this, from the heart of Fiji."

"Free speech is a basic and universally acknowledged human right. Professor Lal gave an expert opinion and as a leading Pacific scholar, was well within his rights to do so," he says.

FIJI: Attorney-General self-destructs in media freedom speech

1 November, 2009-- Fiji's Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum (right) has erased his own credibility with 'delusional' notions that Fiji has a free media, says regional media watchdog the Pacific Freedom Forum.

According to media reports, Khaiyum told a regional journalism seminar at the University of the South Pacific on Friday 31st October Fiji's media were free to report on any issue, asking “Is there a restriction? Are journalists being locked up? Are journalists being told what to write? No!"

But in the same presentation on the Public Emergency Regulations (PER) introducing regime censorship of all newsrooms in April 2009, he admitted the "fundamental issue as far as the media control at the moment is concerned is that you do not have politicians being reported."

"The fact that his monologue went unchallenged by his audience only proves that self-censorship is thriving under the PER. Mr. Khaiyum should know his claim Fiji journalists have not been restricted, locked up, or told what to write, is clearly delusional and out of touch with reality," says PFF Chair Susuve Laumaea of PNG.

FIJI Media Council after Tarte: needs free media, free speech to do its job

The transition of leadership at the Fiji Media Council (FMC) will come  to nothing if the military regime does not relax its stranglehold on free media and free speech in Fiji, says regional media watchdog the Pacific Freedom Forum (PFF).

The PFF praised the contribution and effort of FMC's inaugural chair Daryl Tarte (left) and the voluntary energies he put into the role for more than a decade. PFF chair Susuve Laumaea of PNG says Tarte’s resignation last week should provide impetus for renewed focus on the 2009 review into the Fiji Media Council.

"As the review points out, the role of an independent complaints process for the public needs to be promoted and enforced in a timely way. For that to happen, the military regime should take heed of the review findings and get their censors out of Fiji's newsrooms. A free media council relies on a free media and a freely speaking public to do its job well,” says Laumaea.

“We encourage whoever takes up the task of leading the Fiji media Council through a challenging time, to be there as a watchdog for media standards, and use every opportunity to convince the military junta that the media should be seen as a partner in getting Fiji well

and truly on the way back to full democratic rule,” he says.

Pacific media freedom awardees condemn latest threats in Fiji

PFF STATEMENT
For immediate release: Tuesday 1 September 2009:

Pacific media freedom awardees from Tonga and Samoa are part of the regional condemnation of the latest threats made against Fiji Times Editor in Chief and 2009 PINA Pacific Media Freedom Award winner, Netani Rika.
Last week, the pro-Fiji regime Blog, Real Fiji News, named Rika in a threat which ended:  "...  your day is coming don't worry about that, in fact we have one little surprise left for you".

PFF@PINA 2009 --New PINA leadership must step up and restore credibility

PFF position on inaugural Pacific Media Summit/PINA 2009: 
For immediate release: Friday 14th August 2009 -- Questions over the future and credibility of the Pacific Islands News Association must be urgently addressed by the newly elected leadership says regional media watchdog the Pacific Freedom Forum.  These include immediate expulsion of the Fiji Ministry of Information if it is found to be a PINA member, seeking help to address grievances which split Vanuatu's media and cast a cloud over the 09 inaugural media summit, and putting in writing what PINA means when it talks about 'engaging' with Fiji's military leadership.

PNG: Kundu 2 TV tape mishap cleared

For immediate release: Friday 20 August 2009: An impromptu viewing of raw Opposition press conference footage in the offices of the Papua New Guinea prime minister has since been internally resolved, says the Pacific Freedom Forum (PFF).

"It is welcome news that initial concerns over the government of Papua New Guinea interfering in the independence of the state broadcaster appear to have been dealt with," states PFF co-chair Monica Miller.

Fiji’s regime urged to lift PER restrictions for a free Fiji, says PFF

For immediate release: Thursday 2 July 2009:--.The reported extension of the so-called 'Public Emergency Regulations' in Fiji merely confirms the PER has nothing to do with a national emergency says Pacific media watchdog the Pacific Freedom Forum, PFF.

“The new December deadline won’t be the last one for this outrageous and sad state of affairs. For as long as the sham continues, the PFF will likewise continue to let the military regime in Fiji know that mapping a political and land tenure for lasting peace is impossible without a free media and the right to assembly,” says PFF Chair Susuve Laumaea of Papua New Guinea.

"There's no alleged 'public emergency' in Fiji requiring the imposition of any kind of draconian 'regulations' save only what the Fiji military created during Easter, 2009, when it shredded the country's constitution and escalated its assaults on almost all aspects of a genuinely free and democratic society," Laumaea says.

"Incompetent censors backed by police continue to harass and interfere with the work of journalists in all Fiji's newsrooms, and reputable outlets such as Fiji TV and the Fiji Sun have been coerced into publishing the regime's propaganda deliberately disguised as news reports," he says.

PFF co-Chair Monica Miller of American Samoa says the onus remains on Pacific leadership and organizations, “to call on the Fiji regime to reinstate the constitution and restore the country to democratic rule as soon as practicable, explicitly offer any needed assistance for this to occur, and, most importantly, demand the removal of the so-called 'Public Emergency Regulations'”.

"Pacific leaders must also explicitly reaffirm their repeated commitment to freedom of expression and the media, and not succumb to any temptations the Fiji situation offers to consider gagging, harassing, and intimidating their own local media," Miller says.

“We would hope that the plans to hold a special MSG summit on Fiji come to fruition and that the France-Pacific and Pacific Forum Leaders meetings will also be able to effectively address this issue. The only way to achieve the goals they speak of for Fiji will be to immediately abolish the PER and remove the blanket of fear and restrictions smothering free speech, open debate and honest criticism on the issues involved in creating the conditions for a better Fiji.”

The Pacific Freedom Forum has set up an electronic Petition, the background to which reads:
Information is power. Gagging, censorship and detention of the Fiji news media by the interim regime in Fiji robs all citizens of feedback surrounding debate on national futures; and leaves the leadership itself uninformed about how to best achieve its goals of ending racist laws and corruption.

There are already almost 200 signatories to this Petition -

http://www.gopetition.com/online/26992.html ENDS

Turou, Oro mai: Cooks Government welcomes Pacific Freedom Forum

Daily news outlet Cook Islands News becomes official home for newly-registered regional media freedom watchdog.

Deputy Prime Minister Sir Terepai Maoate says he’s fully supportive of the registration by the Pacific Freedom Forum in the Cook Islands this week.
“This is a really positive development for media in the region and the fact that the Cook Islands was chosen by the majority of PFF journalists as the country to be registered in is, I believe, testament to democracy and media freedoms being alive and very well here.”
Sir Terepai (right) said following the enactment of the Official Information Act, often known as the Freedom of Information, having PFF registered in the Cook Islands is seen as being “very positive for the country.”
“This shows that regional media organisations and individuals consider the Cook Islands as a stable, democratic country where our Constitution is intact and respected, a good place to register a freedom forum.”
Sir Terepai said congratulations must go to Cook Islander Lisa Williams-Lahari who has been the towering strength behind the formation of PFF, “so it makes good sense that PFF is registered here.”
Sir Terepai also offered congratulations to Cook Islands News, the newly registered office of PFF.
Ends JUNE 15, 2009

People@IFEX 09

Intrepid insights from the youngest delegate at the GFFE, Koroi Hawkins of the Solomon Islands

Community Broadcasters at IFEX
Continuing our profiling of participants at the IFEX General Meeting, I spoke with a group of women from the Americas some who did not speak that much English, but after a few tries I managed get them to understand I wanted to Interview them. The three ladies Aleida Calleta, Laura Salas and Elia Baltazar were advocators of Freedom of Expression in South America and they proceeded to tell me of the wide range of complex issues that journalists in South America face and of some of the atrocities suffered by journalists in practicing the right to express themselves. They work for an association called AMARC, and they said their interest in being members of the International Freedom of Expression Exchange was because they were a relatively small organization and looked to IFEX for support and assistance on a global stage to further their work. Their main interests lay in training and financial assistance and the ability to get their alerts out in into the world quickly and efficiently. They seemed to have a very bleak outlook for Freedom of Expression in the World in the years ahead. In their own words, “The whole world is a problem -- the status of freedom of expression in weak.” Freedom of Expression across South America they say is subject to every kind of violation ever conceived and it their hope that having a global voice will give them enough power to make a change.
Other IFEX newbies: EJN
Another very interesting group of particpants at the IFEX general meetings are various associations for journalists in exile. One of these organizations and one which like Pacific Freedom Forum, only became a full member of IFEX at this general meeting are the Exiled Journalist Network, EJN, working out of the UK. The EJN works with Escaped Journalists, people who feel they can no longer practice their work in their home countries and who go to the UK hoping they can find freedom to practice their work. I actually approached their representative, Abel Ugba while he was waiting with us outside for the final result of the voting on our applications for membership.In explaining his reasons for applying for membership Ugba said, “IFEX has a lot of international clout, our work so far has been very localized and so we believe IFEX can give us the international clout we need He said his association hoped to benefit from the wealth of experience IFEX has but at the same time he said he believed his organization could also be beneficial to IFEX. “Not everybody knows what IFEX is, I believe we can make what IFEX does known to more people on the Ground”—Koroi Hawkins.

AUT Graduate Student feature on PFF

New Pacific media freedom group plugs the gaps By Kara Segedin: Pacific Media Centre

The Pacific’s newest media watch group wrapped up its inaugural forum in Samoa earlier this month, but has vowed that it will not be challenging the long-established Pacific Islands News Association over press freedom issues.
“We arose out of the gaps in PINA,” says founding coordinator Lisa Williams-Lahari of the Pacific Freedom Forum.
But, rather than compete with the established parent organisation, PFF’s goal is to act as its media freedom arm.
“We’re part of the PINA family,” she says. “In July, at PINA’s forum in Vanuatu they will decide how to engage with us.”
More than 40 delegates from 12 Pacific nations gathered at the UNESCO-funded PFF meeting dubbed “Courage under fire” at Apia on May 6-8.
The forum drew up an outcomes statement, saying all Pacific people have the right to freedom of speech and access to a free media.
It identified a growing number of threats to media freedom in the region and called on governments to act on commitments to international agreements such as the Rarotonga Media Declaration of 1990 and Article 19 of the universal declaration of human rights.
Strong links
The PFF wants to build strong relationships within the region, online and with the PINA.
Williams-Lahari says as an online forum the PFF has met the needs for monitoring abuses against journalists.

“It’s time to stand up. Journalists have human rights too."

It is raising the alarm on threats to media freedom, which is ultimately linked to the freedom of people.
PFF’s Project XIX was one of three Pacific media schemes approved for funding by UNESCO through the International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC).
“Only a handful of Pacific Island groups got funding. This paid for the conference.”
The PFF started off small, but Williams-Lahari says it quickly developed a following among experienced journalists. It has been a busy year and the next step is to apply for NGO status.
There is also talk of a name change.
Williams-Lahari says there is an attitude among Pacific Island journalists that the abuse and threats they sometimes face are part of the job.
“It’s time to stand up. Journalists have human rights too,” she says.
“We want to let the region know it’s not on. Let leaders know that for the development and growth of Pacific countries the media needs to be part of the process.”
Right track
There were many outcomes from the forum and Williams-Lahari says they felt a lot of solidarity from members that they were all on the right track.
She has been to a number of conferences in the past, but this one was different because while the issues were serious there was a lot of laughter.
“There was a lot of wisdom and experience,” she says. It was also a chance to put faces to some well-known names.
Williams-Lahari says one criticism of PINA is that is has not engaged with Pacific Island needs in New Zealand.
The PFF want to create ties with the New Zealand-based Pacific Islands Media Association (PIMA).
“They are another slice of the Pacific, but it’s a different media industry,” she says. “We’re keen to hook up with the Pacific Island network because we’re all on the same page.”
Williams-Lahari says they want to make sure all abuses, even the ones people think are small, are reported.
The next step for the PFF is training, continued advocacy and to make sure all countries are covered, from Hawai’i to Papua New Guinea.
“Doing what we’re doing now and doing it better,” she says.
Rights and safety
Deborah Muir, programme manager of the Asia-Pacific bureau of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) in Sydney, ran two days of workshops for the PFF.
The IFJ supports journalists and their unions and works against censorship, and for the rights and safety of journalists.
Muir says IFJ got involved when the PFF asked it to help with training on monitoring and reporting on media rights.
“We were invited to provide some expertise and give it a structure”.
According to Muir, there has been a vacuum of strong advocacy and freedom of expression in the Pacific.
“A lot of the problems in the Pacific Islands are similar. Fiji is an extreme example,” she says.
“Advocacy had been insufficient and the situation in Fiji brings this home,” she says. “In my understanding, the (PFF) members are requiring a much stronger advocacy approach.”
At the forum, delegates heard first hand stories of physical abuse and intimidation.
“Fiji sets such a bad example. We’re worried that other states may adopt their tactics,” she says.
Contempt for journalists
There is overt obstruction and intimidation of journalists as power holders seek to maintain control.
In the Pacific, there are difficulties with public perception and with the media itself. Muir says contempt for journalists is a common problem across the region and members of the public may object to the way the media reports issues.
The media also has weak procedures for dealing with complaints.
“At the moment it’s early days, but members are committed to setting up a system of reporting and advocacy,” she says.
“They’ve said they didn’t want to compete with PINA but fulfil the role missed by PINA. And that’s for Pacific Islands journalists to work out.”
Muir identifies a number of things that can be done to help repair the situation.
“The first step is strong advocacy and in the long term professional development and ethics.”
It is also important to network with similar associations.
Crucial time
Phil McGrath, a spokesman for PIMA, says “it’s a crucial time for media freedom”.
“Governments in the region are undertaking massive change in the way they work. Journalists and the public have the right to be informed,” he says.
McGrath says the situation in the Pacific is very delicate and it does not help that outside media are coming in with little understanding of the complexities.
“It’s good to have local people working together.”
He says PIMA members can help with training and engaging the community in New Zealand and in their home countries.
Associate professor David Robie, director of AUT University’s Pacific Media Centre, sees the forum as an enormous step forward and he hopes the centre will work closely with the PFF.
“There was a real buzz of energy and commitment about it,” he says. “I hope it continues.”
“It was an inspiring meeting. Many journalists who have suffered abuse were there to tell their stories.”
He agrees that PINA has not been meeting its obligations on media freedom issues, but says it is still the main media organisation in the region.
Dr Robie, present at the meeting as an observer for the NZ National Commission for UNESCO, is concerned the PFF will overlap with PINA and end up competing for limited funds.
PMW monitoring
Also, the PMC at AUT has been monitoring media freedom in the Pacific through the 13-year-old Pacific Media Watch news service and database started at the University of Papua New Guinea and Australian Centre for Independent Journalism.
The current PMW contributing editor, Josephine Latu, is a journalist from Tonga.
Media freedom organisations are generally independent, but there is a risk of PFF being compromised.
“Some journalists have either business or other media interests,” he says.
“There is a danger of people pushing their own barrow.
“It’s important that the Pacific is kept in perspective – it still largely a safe place for journalists and media freedom by comparison in global terms,” he says.
“There are none of the really serious threats and assaults, kidnappings or murders that journalists face in other countries such as Burma, Iraq, or even a democracy such as the Philippines.”
Dr Robie says ongoing issues for journalists in the region include cultural and political pressures, and the ease of inducements because Pacific journalists are poorly paid and often face poor work conditions.
This remains an ongoing threat.
Kara Segedin is a Graduate Diploma in Journalism student on the AUT Asia-Pacific Journalism course.

http://pacificmediacentre.blogspot.com/2009/05/new-pacific-media-freedom-group-plugs.html

PINA joins IFEX council to 2011

Akauola keen to see IFEX transparency and governance model come to the Pacific<<
>Inspirational company: PINA's Matai Akauola with IFEX members Chris Warren of MEAA Australia (back), Owais Ali of PPF in Pakistan, Joel Simon of the global Committee for the Protection of Journalists, and IFJ international head Aidan White (front) Akauola says the IFEX 09 meeting process, long on heated discussion and debate over procedural issues before resulting in a general meeting vote of support for stronger strategic planning and networking, provides a handy template for breathing new strength into regional media unity in the Pacific. The insights will be catalysed by his successful bid for one of the 7 available spots on the IFEX council, a two year post for which PINA was nominated by the Association of Carribbean Media, a regional network based in Trinidad. The council provides oversight to the work of IFEX and sets up the general meetings. IFEX executive members will be voted on in the next 30 days from those on the council.
PFF has joined the gender working group, aiming to bring Pacific lessons and insights to help grow clarity in this critical area.

Hope for free media--IFEX 09

PFF joins as IFEX member orgs reach 90
The Pacific Freedom Forum and eight other organisations were formally welcomed into the fold of leading global freedom of expression network, IFEX, in its 2009 general conference. The move doubles Pacific membership to the International Freedom of Expression Exchange, and is aimed at strengthening the media watchdog role of the Pacific Islands News Association. Other organisations voted into the IFEX family this week in Oslo, Norway, are C-Libre, the Committee for Free Expression (Honduras),.

OLA, the Latin American Observatory for FOE (Peru/Latin America), MADA, the Palestinan Centre for Development and Media Freedom (West Bank), and five other interim members who had submitted applications during the last IFEX general meeting
PINA, who have been former convenors of IFEX, and PFF, who stepped up the media monitoring of violations in the Pacific in the last year, are here with more than 100 media freedom advocates from some of the most dangerous and difficult countries and regions in the world.
Amongst them, Zoe Titus from the Media Institute of Southern Africa MISA, a strong advocate of media freedom spanning the 11 Southern African countries.
Titus explained that MISA joined IFEX soon after its formation because it realized the huge networking opportunities IFEX presented and with the aim of using IFEX as a platform for promoting freedom of expression in Southern Africa on the Global Stage.
“In Southern Africa there is a whole range of Violations to Freedom of Expression from the banning and closure of News Papers to the arrest and persecution of JournalistsTitus said one of MISA’s current strategies is working together with Civil Society organizations to lobby at the Policy level for the protection of Freedom of Expression.
Vietnamese journalist Phillip Hyun is the outside or external contact for Oppressed Media Workers in Vietnam. Based in the USA, Hyun helps journalists in Vietnam get their stories out into the world.
Operating as the Free Journalist Network of Vietnam, Hyun says his organization joined IFEX to try and learn ways in which it could improve its capacity to assist Journalists in Vietnam.
He says the major media freedom issue faced in Vietnam, a communist country, is that government has full control of the media and abuses their authority by censoring all information published in the local media.
Hyun said any journalists brave enough to speak out against the government were promptly arrested and thrown in jail -- in fact, some of the people he worked with had been in jail for a very long time now.
“Despite the hopelessness of the situation in Vietnam, it is my view that speaking out against these violations against basic human rights must be carried out regularly if for nothing else than to give encouragement to those in dire straits with authorities.”
“We must always criticize governments for their abuses of freedom of expression, because if we don’t they will do whatever they please. If we give up now then what hope is there for a future?—Koroi Hawkins/Lisa W.Lahari, Oslo.

PFF outcome statement | project xix | samoa

"A free and independent media, reflecting diversity of opinion, is a precondition of pluralist societies and an integral part of national development" 
Pacific Islands Forum, Pacific Islands News Association, Rarotonga, 1990

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Outcome Statement | Project XIX | "Courage Under Fire" | 6^th -8^th May 2009, Apia, Samoa 

 

In 2008, a group of media volunteers set up the Pacific Freedom Forum (PFF) as an internet-based "media freedom" monitoring group.

Volunteers expressed concerns at a lack of response to clear cut incidents of media freedom threats.

More than 40 delegates from 12 Pacific nations closed the inaugural meeting of PFF with a call to action for governments and media workers in the region.

Delegates note the inaugural meeting moved from Suva, Fiji to Apia, Samoa due to actions by the interim regime.

The PFF meeting issued this unanimous communiqué:

In sessions over the last three days, we have strengthened our knowledge of the right of all Pacific people to enjoy freedoms of speech, and access to a free media.

We delegates heard first hand reports of attacks on media freedom and individual journalists, and applaud "courage under fire" shown by journalists sharing their stories with us.

We agree that :

Increased attacks on media freedom in a number of Pacific Island countries pose a growing threat to the quality and diversity of regional journalism and to the public's right to know.

PFF calls on Pacific governments to :

Act on long overlooked regional and international agreements supporting media freedom and public access to information, such as the Rarotonga Media Declaration of 1990 and Article XIX of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Participants agreed to :

Formalise the PFF as a registered organisation with the mission to monitor and expose threats to media freedoms, and boost media capacity.

Report outcomes from the meeting to the online PFF community for final consultation, amendment and improvement.

Build relationships with the umbrella organisation, the Pacific Islands News Association, at its upcoming biennial general conference in Port Vila, Vanuatu, late July 2009.

Other priority outcomes:

Launch a media monitoring project to establish a detailed database of threats against media freedoms.

Initiate constructively critical awareness programmes supporting media freedoms in areas of high priority like Fiji, West Papua and some small island states including Tuvalu.

We support the view that imposition of media restrictions in Fiji is a regional crisis which has to be resisted if our region is to have lasting stability.

We reiterate our position that the PACNEWS service should be moved out of Fiji to maintain its independence

We strongly urge Pacific governments and media colleagues alike to accept open debate, criticism and public feedback as the lifeblood of democracy, which must be embraced in order to give all Pacific citizens a voice.

PFF also commits to :

Conduct systematic monitoring of threats and attacks on media freedoms and the safety of journalists.

Stepping up engagement with governments and agencies.

Promote Insurance and other personal and professional securities for journalists.

Pursue the equity and security of women in the media in the Pacific as outlined in Section J on Women In the Media from the Beijing Platform for Action and its Pacific application.

Working with regional media resources engaged on similar objectives such as International Federation of Journalists, USP Journalism Programme, AUT Pacific Media Centre, SPC Regional Media Centre, and the National University of Samoa, Media & Journalism Department.

PFF is very happy to have held its inaugural meeting in Samoa, where the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) was registered in 1976. We end this communiqué by expressing our commitment to media freedom in the Pacific as a cornerstone of achieving human rights for all.

Delegates at the Apia meeting applaud and thank UNESCO for stepping up and addressing the urgent media regionalism and unity gaps and issues the Pacific faces.

ENDS

pacnews should move from fiji - pff

 NEWS RELEASE

 

Regional news service PACNEWS should move from Fiji to reassert independence following emergency regulations cracking down on all outlets.

 

Delegates to a UNESCO supported workshop on freedoms of expression, information and media heard questions raised today about the future of PACNEWS.

 

"I think it should move, definitely," said Taime o Tonga publisher Kalafi Moala.

 

Journalism lecturer David Robie told the meeting there was precedence for moving Pacnews, following its relocation to Vanuatu during the first Fiji coup in 1987.

 

Fiji Times editor Netani Rika said there was support for the idea of moving PACNEWS given control by military appointed newsroom censors.

 

But he said questions over the future of the secretariat for Pacnews owner PINA were for members of the Pacific Islands News Association to decide.

 

"I think that PACNEWS should move as a first step but PINA should make its own mind up."

 

PINA holds its next biennual meeting in July this year.

 

However questions remain over membership in PINA, with the secretariat so far failing to respond to industry inquiries about fees and other details.

 

National Media Associations representative at PINA Cherelle Jackson raised the PACNEWS question at the start of discussions at a three day meeting initiated by the Pacific Freedom Forum, a new advocacy group started by regional media less than a year ago.

 

 

kelea damages decision excessive PFF

Pacific Freedom Forum Media Release





Kele’a damages ruling excessive, says Pacific Freedom Forum



For immediate release: Thursday 16 April 2009: The Pacific Freedom Forum, a regional media freedom and advocacy organization has expressed its concern about what appears to be an excessive and punitively draconian, defamation order handed down on April 8, by the Tongan Supreme Court against the local newspaper, Kele'a and its staff.



The finding was reported by Matangi Tonga Online on April 9, 2009.



Kele'a and its staff were ordered to pay TOP 500,000 (US$ 229,505.20) to the defamed individual, plus their costs.



"By no means does the Pacific Freedom Forum object to the finding of the Supreme Court, nor do we support what appears to be reckless and irresponsible publication of defamatory material by any media outlet," says Pacific Freedom Forum chair Susuve Laumaea, of Papua New Guinea.



"But the order imposed by the Tongan Supreme Court is too severe and borders on fantasy when it comes to payment in a nation where, on a per capita basis, the fine would be equivalent to an $8.3 million judgement in New Zealand - an unheard of amount even for a much bigger country and economy,” says.



“It is clear the order will bankrupt both the newspaper and its staff and send people home.”



PFF co-chair Monica Miller of American Samoa says the finding “brings to mind the severe fine and suspended sentences imposed on the Fiji Times' and its then senior staff over an admittedly contemptful publication of a letter in January, 2009."



"There is a place for punitive damages to be imposed on a media outlet for especially reckless and irresponsible publication which damages a person's valuable reputation, and, according to Matangi Tonga, publishing a statement from the Tongan Prime Minister's office dated April 8, 2009, Kele'a seems to have behaved both recklessly, and irresponsibly, throughout this whole affair."



"The Pacific Freedom Forum trusts that this severe and draconian fine imposed on a newspaper will not set a precedent for other Tongan or Pacific Region courts to use such methods to control or intimidate the media in their respective countries," Miller says. 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.

XIX builds courage under fire, envisions freedom

. . .

PFF project XIX:

"Building courage under fire and visioning freedom in the Pacific"

Less than a year after starting, the Pacific Freedom Forum has been recognised by three major media organisations - UNESCO, the Pacific Islands News Association and the International Federation of Journalists IFEX service.

Responding to growing concerns about freedoms of information, expression and media across the region, UNESCO has agreed to partner with PFF to deliver a regional workshop on these issues.

Advocating for all island states and terrorities, PFF is in partnership with UNESCO, serving: Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu.


UNESCO promotes freedom of expression and freedom of the press (media) as a basic human right. These rights are enshrined in Article 19 (XIX) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.


The UNESCO Apia Office Communication & Information (CI) Sector is supporting the Pacific Freedom Forum (PFF) Project XIX Workshop.


The Workshop is funded by UNESCO’s International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC). More information on IPDC can be found at: www.unesco.org/webworld/ipdc


Expected results of the Workshop include:

• increased awareness by Pacific journalists and policy makers on the rights of media workers
• a list of existing media freedom provisions in Pacific legislation and measures to protect and enhance these provisions around World Press Freedom Day
• agreement/launch of PFF strategic plans
• selection of the Pacific delegate to the Global Freedom of Expression Forum in Oslo, Norway in June 2009 (http://expressionforum.org/).

Abel Caine
Adviser for Communication & Information
UNESCO Office for the Pacific States
Apia, Samoa
www.unesco.org/apia

Original invitation for Expressions of interest:

Are you the kind of journalist who wants to be the best kind of journalist there is?

Do you want to combine your newsroom, real world experience with advocacy to help Pacific audiences get more media-savvy?

Want to take your skills to the next level with some strategic planning/thinking while you soak up the background to freedom of expression, information access and how the two make media freedom work so much fun?

Most importantly, do you want to shape and be a part of ensuring the future of independent and free media industries in the Pacific region?

If you nodded to any of the above, the Pacific Freedom Forum wants to hear from you!

Original outline

From Mon 27 April to Sun 3 May (7 days) in Suva, FIJI ISLANDS, and with the support of IPDC funds from UNESCO, SPC through its Regional Media Centre will be host venue to a two-phase regional workshop helping to support the vision of a better Pacific which rests, along with other critical issues, on the need for Pacific people to enjoy access to information about how their nations are run and how they can participate and be involved in decisions about their lives, a free and independent media, and the right to express themselves freely.

Project XIX participants will:

• receive technical skills in campaigning and advocacy for media freedom
• acquire in-depth understanding of Article 19 and global Human Rights commitments for regional and constitutional protection of media freedom/freedom of expression
• join the dots on relevance of international human rights conventions for the Pacific Plan and governance issues; to what goes on in newsrooms
• understand the rule of law in their Pacific constitutions covering Freedom of information, expression and the media; and how it applies to everyday journalism
• share knowledge and expertise for monitoring and reporting instances of abuse of article XIX
• gain insights on strategies to widen pressure and networks on instigators of infringements through the good practice of other media freedom advocates
• participate in visioning for regional media initiatives to advocate Article XIX.

Original questions for EOI

1) Describe how you feel about your work in journalism, in your organisation, in one sentence?
2) What does media freedom mean to you?
3) Attendance to Article XIX denotes a commitment to be part of or help with any follow on activities aimed at promoting media freedom to the Pacific Community: why do you think this commitment is so important and how do you see Project XIX helping you to deliver on that?
4) Describe three highlights: people, stories or events that make information, expression and media freedoms so relevant to the Pacific media.

5) You have a blank cheque and the job to plan the May 3 World Press Freedom Day event in your community. Describe in a short paragraph what you propose to do, and why.

Below, email from UNESCO regards response from Fiji to hosting PFF XiX:

from Caine, Abel


16 April 2009


To all,


I have been told politely by a senior official in the Fiji Ministry of
Information that the proposed UNESCO - PFF FOE Workshop would "NOT" be welcomed.
I hope the PINA delegation will achieve more.


The informal consensus for the alternate Workshop location seems to be Apia
the week beginning Mon 4th May.
Plan B - Apia the week after Mon 11th May
Vila during the PINA Pacific Media Summit has been ruled out as time is needed between the Workshop and the Summit to formulate and present PFF's Strategic Plan.
Suva later in the year has been ruled out as we needed to hold this event sooner rather than later in order to (also) send a strong message to all PIC Govts on the vitality of media freedom.


The deadline for EOIs to attend the Workshop has closed but if you fervently believe:


a) You are a battle-scarred media freedom veteran and can strongly tell your story;


or b) You are/will be facing mortal tests to media freedom in your country and you have the capacity to learn from your Pacific colleagues and campaign like a fearless champion in your country...then tell us who you are.

. . .

IFEX IFJ UNESCO support for PFF

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MEDIA RELEASE

IFEX Outreach, IFJ add to UNESCO support for Pacific Freedom Forum

May 1 2009 – As World Press Freedom Day is celebrated around the world this Sunday May 3, journalists and observers from 12 Pacific nations and all forms of mainstream media are making their way to Apia, Samoa, for a ‘Courage under Fire’ media freedom event.

The workshop takes its ‘Project XIX’ theme from Article 19(XIX) of the UN Declaration on Human Rights.

Article 19 confirms the right to express an opinion or idea without fear for one’s safety, and forms the basis for what is commonly known as media freedom or free speech.

Lead trainer Deborah Muir is the Sydney-based Program Manager for the International Federation of Journalists, and will bring a strong background in media training, advocacy, and development to the event.

Co-trainer Kalafi Moala is an award winning media veteran, activist and author recognised for his achievements by the Pacific Islands Media Association (PIMA), University of PNG and Amnesty International. He is currently CEO for Taimi Media Network in Tonga.

Project XIX national counterpart Vicky Lepou, lecturing in Journalism at the National University of Samoa also forms part of the training team.

“The Courage under Fire workshop comes at a critical time for free speech for Pacific journalists, and the insights and information which Deborah, Kalafi and Vicky will bring to the table make an ideal mix for meeting the needs of our training group,” says Project XIX facilitator Lisa Williams-Lahari.

“As journalists, it’s good to turn the lens inwards and examine ourselves as much as we put the spotlight on others. These events always provide that opportunity.

"But our trainers are also geared to help us take journalism to the next level, in terms of speaking out in creative ways - not just to protect the rights of people to be informed, but the right of the next generation of journalists to report what Pacific people think on issues, without fear or favour.”

“In this respect, we are especially honoured to have NUS journalism students as part of our regional workshop group,” says Lahari, “and we look forward to the energy and experiences of our future media managers as we also debate and chew through the current real-life situation of newsroom issues around article XIX.”

While Muir and Moala will be focussing on sessions around freedom of expression and the right to information, the PFF facilitator is keen to develop strategies from the discussions which will strengthen the relatively new Pacific Freedom Forum. Lahari, from her own background as a Pacific journalist, advocate and trainer, says for this event, she has “picked up a unique air of excitement around the current activity which is good to see. It bodes well for ownership and involvement by Pacific journalists in their own industry ‘family’.

"Most of us are part of an online network. We are looking forward to meeting each other and our chair Susuve Laumaea for the first time, at this meeting!”.

The Project XIX: Building courage under fire event is the first regional activity of its kind initiated by the Pacific Freedom Forum; and was made possible by a grant from UNESCO, with support from the SPC Regional Media Centre and the global freedom of expression body IFEX, under its Outreach program.

It was relocated from Fiji to Samoa after new ‘emergency laws’ made it impossible to hold an open and free media forum there.

Journalists and observers from Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Hawaii, New Zealand, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu will be representing their organisations for the May 6-8 event, which will close with a special program hosted by UNESCO and the Journalists Association of Western Samoa (JAWS).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.

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MEDIA ALERT | SIGN FIJI PETITION

. . .

PFF MEDIA ALERT

Members of PFF Pacific Freedom Forum have launched a call for solidarity for anyone who believes, as we do, that free speech is the cornerstone to growth and prosperity, to sign our petition supporting freedoms of speech in Fiji.

Signing the petition is open to members of the media - and anyone else who supports freedoms of speech in Fiji - a hub and centre for regional agencies working for nations and people of the Pacific.

As announced last week by PFF, the petition "Support Free Speech for a Prosperous Fiji" is aimed at all Pacific Islands leaders, not just those in Fiji.

The plan is to collect as many signatures as possible as part of our PFF campaigns to celebrate World Press Freedom Day on May 3, 2009. The theme of WPFD this year is especially appropriate celebrating the role of the media, promoting cultures of mutual understanding and diversity.

Signing the petition is a reminder for regional leaders when debating options for the troubled republic - that freedoms of speech are fundamental to futures of any successful society - not an optional extra.

PETITION LINK

To view the petition and sign on, click here
http://www.gopetition.com/online/26992.html

Please forward this information as widely as possible!

FURTHER INFO ON PFF

www.pacificfreedomforum.blogspot.com

. . .

Regime wants spin not journalism says PFF

. . .

Pacific Freedom Forum

Media Release

www.pacificfreedomforum.blogspot.com

 

 

"Fiji regime wants spin, not journalism: Pacific Freedom Forum"

 

 

For immediate release: Friday 17 April 2009:  The Pacific Freedom Forum condemns the continued harassment and detention of

Fiji-based journalists, including those filing for or providing information to overseas news outlets.

 

Last night's jail stop for Pacnews/AP journalist Pita Ligaiula will hopefully end today. Ligaiula was filing for Associated Press and based at the PacNews Secretariat in Suva, and his detention under the emergency decree regulations occurred alongside the reported harassment of other journalists filing for outlets including the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Radio New Zealand.

 

Leading Fiji journalists have been 'briefed' by Ministry of Information officials to put a positive spin on their stories, or face the consequences.

 

"This bullying behaviour on the part of Fiji authorities will only serve to still further focus attention on that country's situation, because the story will still, eventually be told," Pacific Freedom Forum chair Susuve Laumaea says.

 

"The reported invitation to 'approved' journalists - whose prior reportage on Fiji will be vetted prior to issuing visas - to come and tell 'positive' stories is ridiculous," he says.

 

"Local and overseas journalists were, like Pita Ligaiula, trying to provide balanced and accurate reports about Fiji, and all the current Fiji authorities can do is harass and attempt to silence them."

 

"Locking up reporters such as Fiji TV's Edwin Nand, whose interview with deported ABC reporter, Sean Dorney, was seen worldwide, and now AP's Pita Ligaiula, who works from PacNews and whose reports were also published globally, only demonstrates that those responsible need help and training in what real journalism is all about," says PFF co-chair Monica Miller.

 

"The increased pressure on our media colleagues in Fiji has only added to the credibility and respect they have earned from regional and international colleagues; and renewed solidarity amongst Pacific journalists," she says.

 

"PacNews is produced by the Pacific Islands News Association, itself a long running regional media and journalism support and training organization, which owes no loyalty to anybody except to its members and affiliates, and to the principles of fair, accurate, and balanced journalism."

 

"The continuing attacks on the Fiji media by the local authorities have been and continue to be condemned globally, and every instance of harassment and intimidation of journalists is being reported. PFF continues to encourage a return to due process by the current regime, by taking their issues through the complaints channels of the Fiji Media Council."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.

 

. . . 

MILK ban unhealthy for Samoa says Pacific Freedom Forum

. . .

Pacific Freedom Forum
http://pacificfreedomforum.blogspot.com

 

 

Media Release

 

 

"MILK ban unhealthy for Samoa, says Pacific Freedom Forum"

 

For immediate release: Friday 17^th April 2009:  The Pacific Freedom Forum has expressed its concern over the banning of the Sean Penn film, 'Milk', as reported by the New Zealand Herald on April 9, 2009.

 

Samoa is the only nation worldwide where censors have specifically banned the multi-academy award winning film, which means those in Samoa will only see the pirated version or overseas-purchased copies smuggled into the country.   

 

"While we respect the need for censors to rule in the public interest, we say the personal bias of censors should not be allowed to overtake a ruling in that interest," says PFF chair Susuve Laumaea of Papua New Guinea. He says the authority of censorship should not be taken lightly, as is entails trust from the general public that decisions will be fair.

 

"Not only are Samoans being deprived of the experience of seeing a performance regarded as outstanding, by any standards, they are mystified, and rightly suspicious, about why the Samoa Censor Board has banned 'Milk', and this will only fuel their curiosity to see what the censorship fuss is all about," says Laumaea.

 

'Milk' is a docu-drama about the leading American gay rights activist, Harvey Milk, who was assassinated in 1978. It was nominated for eight Oscars, and won two, for best original screenplay, and best actor in a leading role, for Sean Penn's performance.

 

"The Pacific Freedom Forum calls on the Samoan film censors to fully and transparently explain themselves to the Samoan people, and re-consider its decision on banning 'Milk'," he says.

 

"Perhaps the ban, final though the board claim it is, means the Samoan authorities have a responsibility to the people to fully explain their reasons for their decision," says PFF co-chair Monica Miller, of American Samoa.

 

"It is critical that the censorship board account clearly for their wish to protect the people of Samoa from viewing this film, when other films depicting violence, sometimes graphic violence, are readily available in Samoan outlets," she says.

 

"Given the acclaim this film has received worldwide, and given the silence on exactly why it has been banned in Samoa, observers are left to wonder at the censorship standards being applied in a country where fa'afafine have a well established and respected role," says Miller.  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.

 

 . . .

Kelea damages ruling excessive says Pacific Freedom Forum

. . .

Pacific Freedom Forum

Media Release

 

www.pacificfreedomforum.blogspot.com 

 

"Kele'a damages ruling excessive, says Pacific Freedom Forum"
 
For immediate release: Thursday 16 April 2009:  The Pacific Freedom Forum, a regional media freedom and advocacy organization has expressed its concern about what appears to be an excessive and punitively draconian, defamation order handed down on April 8, by the Tongan Supreme Court against the local newspaper, Kele'a and its staff.
 
The finding was reported by Matangi Tonga Online on April 9, 2009.
 
Kele'a and its staff were ordered to pay TOP 500,000 (US$ 229,505.20) to the defamed individual, plus their costs.
 
"By no means does the Pacific Freedom Forum object to the finding of the Supreme Court, nor do we support what appears to be reckless and irresponsible publication of defamatory material by any media outlet," says Pacific Freedom Forum chair Susuve Laumaea, of Papua New Guinea.
 
"But the order imposed by the Tongan Supreme Court is too severe and borders on fantasy when it comes to payment in a nation where, on a per capita basis, the fine would be equivalent to an $8.3 million judgement in New Zealand - an unheard of amount even for a much bigger country and economy," says.
 
"It is clear the order will bankrupt both the newspaper and its staff and send people home."
 
PFF co-chair Monica Miller of American Samoa says the finding "brings to mind the severe fine and suspended sentences imposed on the Fiji Times' and its then senior staff over an admittedly contemptful publication of a letter in January, 2009."
 
"There is a place for punitive damages to be imposed on a media outlet for especially reckless and irresponsible publication which damages a person's valuable reputation, and, according to Matangi Tonga, publishing a statement from the Tongan Prime Minister's office dated April 8, 2009, Kele'a seems to have behaved both recklessly, and irresponsibly, throughout this whole affair."
 
"The Pacific Freedom Forum trusts that this severe and draconian fine imposed on a newspaper will not set a precedent for other Tongan or Pacific Region courts to use such methods to control or intimidate the media in their respective countries," Miller says. 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.
 

 
. . .

 

No room for military in news rooms - PFF

. . .

A screengrab from a TVNZ Breakfast interview with Pacific correspondent Barbara Dreaver, above, shows blank spaces left in Fiji Times after censorship from regime "information officers." A Fiji media worker was later detained for sending this footage to TVNZ.

Pacific Freedom Forum
http://pacificfreedomforum.blogspot.com/

Media Release

No room for military in news rooms, urges Pacific Freedom Forum

For immediate release: Tuesday 14 April 2009: A Pacific media freedom and advocacy organization, the Pacific Freedom Forum, has expressed deep sadness and outrage at developments in Fiji over Easter. They say more Pacific organisations and governments must ensure Fiji's people are left in no doubt whose side the people of the Pacific are on.

"As Pacific neighbours, we must not consider renewed intimidation of Fiji media a sovereign issue – what is happening there affects us all and we thank the Secretary General of the Pacific Forum for noting the special concern over curtailment of media freedoms in his statement on this matter," says PFF chair Susuve Laumaea.

He says the Pacific Freedom Forum, along with other media freedom organizations world wide, "is horrified at the installation of censors in Fiji Newsrooms following the Easter abrogation of Fiji's 1997 Constitution, the deportation of more journalists whose news feeds inform Pacific nations including Fiji, and the re-installation of the military government ."

"This is the age of the Internet, and satellite broadcasting is widely received across Fiji, so locals will get their news from overseas sources almost as easily as they do from domestic sources."

"Putting police or soldiers into newsrooms who are not equipped to make informed judgments about the content of the news serves no useful purpose, and is an obvious big-brother bullying tactic aimed at monitoring not just what goes into the newspapers, but the contacts and working-culture of journalists as they go about their daily work," says PFF Co-chair Monica Miller.

"This move given the continuing sanctions and tactics by the current regime, may soon lead to complete shutdowns of the media outlets that refuse to denounce their ethics. This will eventually render affected employees without income for their families, and lead to the kind of disorder and disaffection which the emergency regulations describe. It's very clearly aimed at one sector of society only."

Ms Miller, a former President of the Pacific Islands News Association, says the Pacific region cannot stand by in silence and watch as the people of Fiji are cut off from freely and independently produced news of their own nation.

Radio Fiji late on Saturday, April 11, reported that among the new 'Emergency Regulations' decreed by the President, "... Section 16 of the Regulations stipulates that the State has the authority to cease any broadcast or publication it believes could cause "disorder", give "undue demands" on security forces", "promote disaffection or public alarm" or "undermine the Government and the State of Fiji"'.

"The current and worsening situation is tragic and illustrates the need for us all to protect and cherish the right to free speech and freedom of information," she says.

"A government with some understanding of this basic human right would go about setting up and running its own media outlets to publish and broadcast what it likes and let the audiences have the final say."

The Pacific Freedom Forum, with active members among Pacific journalists, editors, producers, and journalism academics, will soon be launching an online petition for signature by any individual or group worldwide willing to express continuing strong solidarity with our colleagues in Fiji. The petition will be printed and presented to relevant Pacific leaders by national media reps on World Media Freedom Day, May 3.

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.

. . .