ABC tragedy a loss for Pacific: PFF

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

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

Over the two years, the team had reported on how the usually dry Lake Eyre and the rivers and streams which feed into it were flooding as water from further north travelled south into Australia's outback. Their work produced acclaimed television news and current affairs stories, and breathtaking, world standard, documentary length programmes.

"We are especially saddened because this team's work has been seen on Australia Network Television, operated by the ABC, and brought the sights and sounds of Australia, especially rural and regional Australia, to the developing Pacific," PFF co-chair, Titi Gabi, said from Port Moresby.

Over his 40 year career, Paul Lockyer amply earned the respect of all with whom he worked, most recently with his reportage from the Queensland floods and cyclone disasters earlier in 2011.

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

"The tragedy is truly a loss for the Pacific region and reminds us all of the risks media workers run when travelling to report on stories of importance," Ms Gabi said. "The team weren't caught up in a conflict, or a disaster, but were continuing their coverage of one of nature's great, and rare, phenomena, the flooding of one of Australia's great inland lakes, and the natural resurgence this brings when it occurs."

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

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the three media worker's families, and our Australian ABC friends and colleagues as they mourn, remember, and praise the lives, exemplary careers, and example all three set," co-chair, Monica Miller, said from Pago Pago.

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

"They will be sorely missed," Ms Miller said.--ENDS

LINKS:

ABC website tributes flow: 

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

IFJ Joins Australian Journalists in Mourning Loss of News Crew

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

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

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

New chair for Pacific media freedom watchdog

PFF, Rarotonga, COOK ISLANDS --The Pacific Freedom Forum has a new chair – Ms. Titi Gabi, an experienced journalist from Papua New Guinea.

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

A former journalist turned public relations worker, Laumaea resigned after objecting to internal criticism from members.

“This is a tough role, advocating freedoms of expression for news media and other sectors, a cause often finding itself embroiled in controversy with governments and business,” says Gabi, from Port Moresby.

Another Fiji decree hurts human rights: PFF

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


RELEVANT LINKS:



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

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

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

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

Fiji: Fatality highlights news support roles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Korovou's funeral arrangements are still being finalised.

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

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

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

PFF 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.

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

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

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

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

 

CONTACT: Pacific Freedom Forum

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

Co-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.