Samoa police actions need investigation - PFF

 

SAMOA: A truck driver at the scene of an accident went on to assault and threaten reporters. Police refused media requests for assistance. In a separate incident, an officer smashed a phone being used in a public place
Photo : Samoa Observer / Nicola Hazelman-Siona 

PFF | Rarotonga -  Failing to intervene in a minor assault on reporters and smashing the phone of a young boy shows police in Samoa need training in freedoms enjoyed by all citizens, says the Pacific Freedom Forum.

"Some police may not always like the criticism or scrutiny that news media and the digital age brings but that does not absolve them of their duty to protect the law," says PFF Chair, Titi Gabi.

"Standing by while threats are made against reporters and doing nothing when an attempt was made to wrestle cameras off them betrays a basic lack of understanding of legal principles on the part of at least some police in Samoa," she says.

"Grabbing someone's phone and smashing it amounts to assault, theft and damage to property, all illegal under any normal laws."

Speaking from Port Moresby, Gabi called on the officers in both incidents to be investigated and disciplined.

"Police can no more interfere with the lawful work of the press, which is the Fourth Estate, than they could with the first three estates.

"Failing to assist journalists under attack is the same as turning their back on an assault against a member of parliament, a cabinet minister or a judge."

"Journalists also have the same basic human rights as any other citizen."

Reporters working for Samoa Observer were at the scene of an accident when the driver of a flipped water truck approached and demanded they hand over cameras.

He grabbed the arm of one female reporter seated in a car marked with the name of the newspaper, and tried to wrestle a camera off her, but she resisted. The driver then threatened retaliation if any photos were published.

Police at the scene did nothing to intervene, shrugging off requests for assistance from the reporters.

Samoa Observer Editor-in-Chief Savea Sano Malifa told staff to lay an assault complaint with police, and put the photos, the assault and the threats on the front page of the newspaper next day.

That next morning, police conducted a raid on a local market and arrested three men and two women for allegedly selling drugs.

One officer approached a youth who was filming the raid on his mobile, grabbed the phone and threw it on the ground, smashing it.

PFF co-Chair Monica Miller described the incident as "astonishing."

"The people of Samoa rightfully pride themselves on a culture of humility and politeness, yet police sometimes appear not just arrogant, but lawless."

Based in Pagopago, Miller called on police in Samoa to seek regular and sustained training on the rights of all citizens, protected under the constitution.

"Police officers cannot make the law up as they go along - they need to have a better understanding of public rights, and protect and cherish them deeply."

"Centuries of legal precedence the world over tells us that events taking place in a public space, such as on a road, may be observed, recorded and commented upon by anyone, at any time, under any circumstance."

PFF extends an invitation to the police force of Samoa to consult over both matters, so reporters can do their job safely, and citizens may fully enjoy basic freedoms.

Under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, signed by Samoa in 1992, article 19 defends the right to freedoms of speech, as follows:

Article 19
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.

Samoa is also a 2008 signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which states:

2. Everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of his choice.

3. The exercise of the rights provided for in paragraph 2 of this article carries with it special duties and responsibilities. It may therefore be subject to certain restrictions, but these shall only be such as are provided by law and are necessary:

(a) For respect of the rights or reputations of others;

(b) For the protection of national security or of public order (ordre public), or of public health or morals.

Emphasis added.

PFF states that journalists doing their job or people filming in a public place cannot be considered a threat to public order, health or morals.

LINKS :

Samoa Observer reporters threatened, assaulted
http://www.samoaobserver.ws/home/headlines/5009-samoa-observer-reporters-threatened-assaulted

Media freedom under threat
http://www.samoaobserver.ws/local-news/police-and-prison/5080-media-freedom-under-threat

SAMOA: Journalists threatened – but press freedom isn't, says PM
http://www.pmc.aut.ac.nz/pacific-media-watch/samoa-journalists-threatened-press-freedom-isnt-says-pm-8305

Samoa's PM gags police
http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/program/pacific-beat/samoas-pm-gags-police/1121934

Samoa leader tells police not to give interviews to media
http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=75563

Samoa signs Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1992
www.unicef.org/pacificislands/Samoa_sitan.pdf‎

CONTACTS :

PFF Chair Titi Gabi | Freelance Journalist | Papua New Guinea  | +67573143929 |  titi.gabipng@gmail.com

PFF co-Chair Monica Miller | KHJ Radio | American Samoa | + 6842584197 | monica@khjradio.com

PFF coordinator Jason Brown | Avaiki Nius Agency | Samoa | +6857604412 | avaiki.nius@gmail.com

ABOUT PFF :

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.

…

Praise for speech on Fiji media freedom–PFF

 

Gagged on World Press Freedom Day: Dr Wadan Narsey

PFF, Rarotonga - The Pacific Freedom Forum is welcoming publication of a speech from a speaker stopped from presenting at the University of the South Pacific on World Press Freedom Day.

Dr Wadan Narsey published his speech through new Fiji magazine, Republika.

“We praise the bravery of the magazine publishers operating under a military regime with limited understanding of benefits stemming from open debate,” says PFF Chair Titi Gabi.

“We also support Dr Narsey in criticising a trend towards blaming journalists for policy and practice that comes from editors, publishers or outside of news media.”

Speaking from Port Moresby, Gabi said the WPFD, World Press Freedom Day gag shows “extraordinary oversensitivity” on the part of university authorities.

“Media freedom in Fiji is one thing, but a regional university such as USP must engage with authorities to ensure that wider impacts are avoided.”

PFF co-Chair Monica Miller, based in Pago Pago, said that WPFD 2013 would have been the ideal opportunity for university authorities to raise debate around freedoms of speech ahead of elections scheduled for next year.

“How is it that better preparations were not laid for this most fundamental of freedoms?”

Miller also praised suggestions from Dr Narsey for journalists to start maintaining records on censorship for future evaluation.

His comments are reproduced here:

“What journalists need to do ... is to keep a record of all the stories they write, the dates they submit to the editors, and the story that appears or does not appear.

“Some day, media censorship will end and our society will return to practicing their human right to freedom of expression.

“As part of our attempt to understand this period in Fiji’s sad history, there will also be studies  of the nature and frequency of media censorship during this time.

“The records maintained by journalists and principled editors will be an invaluable part of the history from which our future generations can learn.

“Journalism has as much a part to play in the history of our people as any other academic discipline such as history, politics or economics.

“Journalism may be the most important given its centrality in informing public opinion, which is the cornerstone of any true democracy.”

See other PFF releases on Fiji.

LINKS :

Media ownership in Fiji constricting media freedom
http://republikamagazine.com/2013/05/media-ownership-in-fiji/

FIJI: Ex-USP professor Narsey 'gagged' over media freedom speech
http://www.pmc.aut.ac.nz/pacific-media-watch/fiji-ex-usp-professor-narsey-gagged-over-media-freedom-speech-8290

Noted Fiji academic stopped from speaking to USP journalism students
http://fijitoday.wordpress.com/2013/05/11/insipid-censorship-usp-management-instructed-the-school-of-journalism-to-remove-him-from-the-programme/

Censorpedia | National Coalition Against Censorship (US)
http://wiki.ncac.org/Professor_Wadan_Narsey_Censorship_Speech

Fiji censorship speech censored
http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/program/pacific-beat/fiji-censorship-speech-censored/1131874

Noted Fiji academic stopped from speaking to USP students
http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=75957

CONTACTS :

PFF Chair Titi Gabi | Freelance Journalist | Papua New Guinea  | +67573143929 |  titi.gabipng@gmail.com

PFF co-Chair Monica Miller | KHJ Radio | American Samoa | + 6842584197 | monica@khjradio.com

PFF coordinator Jason Brown | Pasifika media | Vaitele, Samoa | +6857604412 | avaiki.nius@gmail.com

ABOUT PFF :

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.

Indonesia should release West Papua journalist immediately - PFF

 

PFF – Rarotonga - Indonesian authorities in Jakarta should immediately instruct their security forces in West Papua to release a radio host, says the Pacific Freedom Forum.

"Each day of arrest for this journalist lessens credibility of Jakarta over such a minor matter", says PFF Chair Titi Gabi.

"Arrest of the talkback host speaks to the weaknesses of Indonesian authority, not their strengths."

Abert Dimas Anggoro was arrested by Indonesian police after hosting a talkback show that expressed criticism of an Indonesian official in West Papua.

According to Kabar Berita online, Dimas was arrested after claiming in a public affairs programme, Matoa, that a district office was "dilapidated"

Dimas works for Penyiar Radio FM.

Colleagues from AJI, an alliance of Independent journalists, and a representative body for local media reporters, Papua New Light, accompanied Anggoro to the Sanggeng police station.

AJI coordinator in Jayapura Wally Jack was quoted as calling on Indonesian authorities to settle the matter using existing press laws, rather than arrest.

Jack quoted Law No. 40 on the Press, chapter 1 clause 11, where if a person or group feels aggrieved over a news item then used the existing complaints procedure.

Arrest of Dimas comes against a background of protests marking 50 years of Indonesian annexation, with three shot dead by security forces and a fourth dying in hospital.

An unknown number were injured in shootings by security forces across West Papua, with thousands reported to have joined protests in five different towns.

PFF co-Chair Monica Miller praised AJI and PNL representatives for standing by the radio host and bearing witness to abuse of powers by security forces.

“There can be no legitimate reason for the arrest of a journalist conducting a normal radio talkback show with routine questions, airing standard concerns,” says Miller.

“In doing so, the journalist, his station and their listeners are exercising citizen rights under the constitution of Indonesia guaranteeing freedoms of speech.”

Miller says that the arrest is one among myriad concerns facing Indonesia and decades of reports detailing arbitrary and illegal arrests, beatings, torture, rape and killings conducted mainly by security forces and Indonesian militia forces.

“PFF calls on Jakarta to rein in its attack dogs and end a culture of impunity running rampant in West Papua, at a huge cost in human life and misery.”

News of the arrest has been carried by dozens of outlets globally.

However, no news has been heard since the arrest over three weeks ago, raising deep concerns for the safety of the Penyiar FM journalist and his associates.

LINKS:

WEST PAPUA: Police arrest radio reporter over broadcast allegations
http://www.pmc.aut.ac.nz/pacific-media-watch/west-papua-police-arrest-radio-reporter-over-broadcast-allegations-8280

‘Murdered for doing their jobs’ – a snapshot of the region’s media
http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2013/05/murdered-for-doing-their-jobs-a-snapshot-of-the-regions-media/

CONTACTS :

PFF Chair Titi Gabi | Freelance Journalist | Papua New Guinea  | +67573143929 |  titi.gabipng@gmail.com

PFF co-Chair Monica Miller | KHJ Radio | American Samoa | + 6842584197 | monica@khjradio.com

PFF coordinator Jason Brown | Pasifika media | Vaitele, Samoa | +6857604412 | avaiki.nius@gmail.com

ABOUT PFF :

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.

...

Alerts raise freedom awareness

 

PNG: shipping owner Hamish Sharp can be seen in this screengrab, 

hand blurred, lunging for the camera. 

PFF | Rarotonga | Cook Islands: 

Regional media networks are combining to expose an unprecedented level of scrutiny when it comes to journalism ethics and public accountability, says the Pacific Freedom Forum.

“From Northern Mariana right across to French Polynesia, we are seeing an upswing in the number of freedom alerts for our region,” says PFF Chair Titi Gabi.

“These are of course a concern but can also be considered positive in that more time and attention is being paid to raising standards.”

Recent weeks and days have seen a wide range of issues raised.

PFF has put out news releases on leading concerns, but other issues are piling up across a range of platforms, including Facebook.

“We encourage moves to greater professionalism and formalisation of media standards, and the debate that goes with industry and community concerns,” says Gabi.

PFF ALERTS

French Polynesia: a newly formed political party being denied access to televised debates ahead of general elections there.

> PFF - calls on authorities in Pape’ete to ensure equal access to all political parties, as per French constitutional and other law.

Northern Marianas: a threat from authorities to force disclosure of confidential sources by a newspaper journalist exposing misadministration.

> PFF - urges authorities in CNMI to place precedence on First Amendment rights under US law to freedoms of speech, including the professional right of journalists to maintain confidentiality. 

Papua New Guinea: a shipping owner assaulting a TV crew who were invited to accompany an official immigration investigation of his office.

> PFF - urges management of EMTV to not allow a culture of impunity to continue when it comes to assaults on media workers, and calls for an official complaint to be laid.

Papua New Guinea: Publication by daily newspaper, The National, of a photograph showing graphic injuries of violence victims.

> PFF - decries shock tactics by media, operating outside of generally accepted practice, especially in newspapers where content can be viewed by all ages.

Papua New Guinea: Airing of a radio Nau FM talkback show on sex and the recording of images.

> PFF – notes that there is considerable public alarm at the talkback show, and earlier ones like it, in terms of community standards. PFF calls on radio management to ensure that the fine lines between information, entertainment and exploitation of community standards are not crossed.

Samoa: the new commissioner of police abandoning a weekly press conference popular with the public and with a proven track record of improving police conduct. The cancellation came after a letter from the prime minister.

> PFF – regrets news of the cancellation, and the apparent lack of due process in seeing the press conference dropped. Police should be seen to make their own decisions, and not open to influence from governments of the day when it comes to a free flow of information.

Cook Islands: arson threats made against daily Cook Islands News after newspaper publishes crime report.

> PFF – understands an earlier arson attempt was made against the paper, fortunately unsuccessful. Even on social networks, making threats is a serious matter.

Region: low pay causing journalists to abandon news in favour of public relations positions, and accepting of bribes, compensation and so-called custom payments.

> PFF – notes worldwide concerns over falling journalism pay and staff numbers, exposing a growing need for more policy debate surrounding the role and resources of the Fourth Estate.

LINKS

French Polynesia: Equity does not equal equality

http://www.tahiti-infos.com/Communique-de-presse-TE-HITI-TAU-API-Une-Nouvelle-Ere-Equite-n-est-pas-Egalite_a70800.html

(in French)

Papua New Guinea: EMTV reporters assaulted

http://www.emtv.com.pg/news-app/item/emtv-reporters-assaulted

CNMI: Subpoenaed Marianas journalist prepared for jail sentence

http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/program/pacific-beat/subpoenaed-marianas-journalist-prepared-for-jail-sebtence/1126234?autoplay=1126268

Papua New Guinea: Why does The National print gruesome horrific photographs?

http://www.facebook.com/sanga.abolo/posts/4782564372488

Samoa: No more press conferences – Police Commissioner confirms

http://www.talamua.com/written-questions-only-police-commissioner-confirms/

Papua New Guinea: Nau FM “juicy talk” and reaction

http://www.facebook.com/96NAUFM/posts/579650472065556

Cook Islands: Bar owner issues veiled threats

http://www.cookislandsnews.com/2013/April/Wed24/other.htm#1304220607

Region: Pacific journalists need better pay, says free media advocate

http://www.pmc.aut.ac.nz/pacific-media-watch/region-pacific-journalists-need-better-pay-says-free-media-advocate-8272

CONTACTS :

PFF Chair Titi Gabi | Freelance Journalist | Papua New Guinea  | +67573143929 |  titi.gabipng@gmail.com

PFF co-Chair Monica Miller | KHJ Radio | American Samoa | + 6842584197 | monica@khjradio.com

PFF coordinator Jason Brown | Pasifika media | Aotearoa, New Zealand | +642102484560 | avaiki.nius@gmail.com 

ABOUT PFF :

 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 must look into false arrest

Vanuatu Daily Post carried news of the 

release of a journalist from the rival 

newspaper Vanuatu Independent on its
front page. Photo: PFF screen grab

PFF | Rarotonga | Cook Islands

Charges of terrorism laid and dropped against a journalist in Vanuatu over a Facebook comment need independent investigation, states the Pacific Freedom Forum.

“A Facebook comment alone cannot possibly constitute terrorism,” says PFF Chair Titi Gabi.

“Governments of the day must not use terrorism laws against freedoms of expression, no matter how robust, rude, or just plain wrong.”

“At the same time, media must ensure they use freedoms responsibly and try to avoid comments that could be misconstrued”, says Gabi.

Vanuatu Independent sub-editor Gratien Mulsoul was arrested this week by police after lawyers for the prime minister wrote police a letter complaining he had threatened cabinet by wishing their plane would crash into the sea.

Despite no official complaint being laid, senior police arrested Mulsoul under terrorism and sedition laws.

However, after 30 hours in jail, Mulsoul, also known under his other surname Tiano, was released when the Public Prosecutor at the State Prosecutions Department ordered charges be dropped.

PFF welcomes news of the decision by the Public Prosecutor, currently in counterpart training with an Australian policing consultant.

PFF co-Chair Monica Miller says controversy over the Facebook comment reflects broader concerns across the region about the role of social networks.

“It is immensely encouraging for PFF to see dozens of comments in the Vanuatu Facebook group thrashing out issues surrounding this arrest and what it means for the still emerging practice of using social networks.”

“Meantime, Vanuatu police must ensure that any arrest is well-founded or risk making a false arrest,” says Miller.

“In the absence of anything other than a Facebook comment, the laying of terrorism and sedition charges must themselves come under scrutiny.”

PFF accepts there are public safety concerns to free-running debates that get out of hand online, and calls for clarity and caution from all news media participating on social networks, like Facebook.

Mulsoul wrote the comment in the biggest Facebook group for Vanuatu, Yumi Toktok Stret – Straight Talk with more than 10,000 members – allegedly praying for a plane to crash. Passengers on the plane consisted of ministers returning from a cabinet meeting held outside the capital, Port Vila.

Vanuatu Independent editor Tony Wilson told Radio Australia the Facebook comment was one among jokes that popped out of a serious debate, questioning the threat to national security of having an entire cabinet on a single aeroplane.

Commentators on YTS said the “crash” comment was nothing more a common joke used as a punch-satirical line in all sorts of debates.

Miller welcomed news from PFF members about the setting up of a Media Complaints Council in Vanuatu.

“Along with plans for a Pacific Media Ombudsman, this would help the Vanuatu government in handling media complaints instead of resorting to the arrest of journalists which risks leaving the Vanuatu government in a bad light.”

PFF calls for independent review of the process by which Vanuatu police make an arrest when dealing with freedoms of expression.

LINKS:

Journalist arrested

http://www.dailypost.vu/content/journalist-arrested

Journalist released

http://www.dailypost.vu/content/todays-dailypost-newspaper-wednesday-8-may-2013

Vanuatu journalist arrested for online comment

http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=75823

Vanuatu journalist charged over 'crash' comment on Facebook

http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/program/pacific-beat/vanuatu-journalist-charged-over-crash-comment-on-facebook/1126932

'Storm in teacup' blows over Vanuatu journalist

http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/program/pacific-beat/storm-in-teacup-blows-over-vanuatu-journalist/1127514?autoplay=1127534

Vanuatu Journalist Released After Arrest for Online Comment

http://asiapacific.ifj.org/en/articles/vanuatu-journalist-released-after-arrest-for-online-comment

Media Asosiesen blong Vanuatu | Code of Ethics 

http://mav.org.vu/welkam/media-code-of-ethics-and-practice

Un journaliste ni-Vanuatu arrêté pour des commentaires sur Facebook

http://www.tahiti-infos.com/Un-journaliste-ni-Vanuatu-arrete-pour-des-commentaires-sur-Facebook_a73526.html

CONTACTS :

PFF Chair Titi Gabi | Freelance Journalist | Papua New Guinea  | +67573143929 |  titi.gabipng@gmail.com

PFF co-Chair Monica Miller | KHJ Radio | American Samoa | + 6842584197 | monica@khjradio.com

PFF coordinator Jason Brown | Pasifika media | Aotearoa, New Zealand | +642102484560 | avaiki.nius@gmail.com 

ABOUT PFF :


 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.
...

West Papua: shootings and arrests attack on human rights

Protestors in Jayapura on 1st May. Elsewhere in West Papua, five protestors were shot and dozens repotedly arrested by Indonesian security forces. Photo: KNPB News

PFF | Rarotonga | COOK ISLANDS: 

Shooting peaceful protesters in West Papua and arresting a radio host for comments made on a talkback show are clear attacks on human rights by Indonesia, says the Pacific Freedom Forum.

“Indonesia is showing little progress towards answering serious and long-running concerns about human rights abuses in West Papua,” says PFF Chair Titi Gabi.

 “In this case, the right to peaceful protest as a freedom of expression was again denied through us of lethal force and arbitrary arrest.”

Two protesters were reportedly killed and three seriously wounded in the district of Sorong as police and security forces cracked down on peaceful protests on 1st May across West Papua, marking 50 years of Indonesian rule.

An unconfirmed number were arrested.

In a separate incident since then, police also arrested a radio journalist hosting a talkback show where callers criticised the performance of a local official.

PFF supports comments from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, who expressed serious concerns over the crackdown on mass demonstrations across Papua.

In a UN statement, Pillay said: "These latest incidents are unfortunate examples of the ongoing suppression of freedom of expression and excessive use of force in Papua. I urge the government of Indonesia to allow peaceful protest and hold accountable those involved in abuses."

Her office reported receiving 26 alerts since May 2012 on human rights abuses, including 46 killings and cases of torture, “many” involving state officials.

Indonesia police cleared fellow officers of any wrong doing, 

in shooting five protestors, in less than a week. Pictured is
Brigadier General Police Paulus Waterpauw.
Photo: Anakara News

PFF also supports comments reported from Independent Journalist Alliance, AJI, that any complaints against journalist should be handled under press laws.

PFF co-Chair Monica Miller praised work by AJI and civil society networks in exposing continual human rights abuses in West Papua.

“Without their calm work in often hostile environments, the outside world may never get to hear of historic and ongoing killings, torture and arrest.”

“These latest incidents illustrate the dismal failure by authorities in Jakarta to ensure constitutional equality across the republic.”

PFF calls for the withdrawal of charges against the journalist, and his immediate release.

PFF also calls for independent review of the process by which security forces deal with freedoms of expression, including peaceful protests.

LINKS

Claims of deadly police crackdown in Papua

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-05-04/an-west-papua-activists-claim-police-crackdown-on-rally/4669892

Deaths mark 50 years of West Papua occupation

http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=233299

Police, Separatists Clash on 50th Anniversary of Integration of Papua

http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/news/police-separatists-clash-on-50th-anniversary-of-integration-of-papua/

Indonesia must allow peaceful protests in Papua, stresses UN rights chief

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=44812&Cr=indonesia&Cr1=#.UYmcuqL-FOJ

WEST PAPUA: Police arrest radio reporter over broadcast allegations

http://www.pmc.aut.ac.nz/pacific-media-watch/west-papua-police-arrest-radio-reporter-over-broadcast-allegations-8280

Summary of Events In West Papua For April – Beginning of May

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1305/S00137/summary-of-events-in-west-papua-for-april-beginning-of-may.htm

‘No political prisoners? The suppression of political protest in West Papua,‘

http://tapol.org/sites/default/files/sites/default/files/pdfs/Suppression%20of%20political%20protest%20in%20West%20Papua.pdf

KNPB demonstration and prayer on 50 years of annexation by Indonesia

http://knpbnews.com/blog/archives/1710

(In bahasa Indonesian, photos)

CONTACTS :

PFF Chair Titi Gabi | Freelance Journalist | Papua New Guinea  | +67573143929 |  titi.gabipng@gmail.com

PFF co-Chair Monica Miller | KHJ Radio | American Samoa | + 6842584197 | monica@khjradio.com

PFF coordinator Jason Brown | Pasifika media | Aotearoa, New Zealand | +642102484560 | avaiki.nius@gmail.com 

ABOUT PFF :

 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 Media ombudsman advances regional accountability

News media across the region move into an era of advanced accountability with adoption last week of a concept for a Pacific Media Ombudsman.

Media organisations from five key Pacific nations yesterday agreed to the plan following talks in Honiara, Solomon Islands marking World Press Freedom Day today.

“All members of the public including governments of the day and other governance sectors can anticipate significantly enhanced accountability from member news media,” says PFF Chair Titi Gabi, from Papua New Guinea.

“This marks the first time that island press have agreed to an independent regional body to monitor and review public complaints against news stories and other media content.”

A Pacific Media Ombudsman is intended to act as a backstop to existing media associations that address journalism ethics and other issues of public interest.

“Attempts have previously been made to introduce media councils at the national level in countries like the Cook Islands, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu,” says Gabi.

“However industry disputes and political pressures have often combined to interrupt the progress of media accountability systems inside national borders.”

Establising a regional media watchdog will help ensure continuity of mechanisms to handle public complaints and concerns about news media.

“This year's official theme for World Press Freedom Day is encouraging public spaces where people are 'safe to speak' on issues of the day”, says Gabi.

“Media accountability systems like the PMO concept help build credibility for news media and creates an environment where media freedoms are respected rather than rejected and, sometimes, assaulted.”

Representatives from media organisations in Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Cook Islands, Tonga and attended the Honiara PFF talks, with additional support from non-attending delegates in Papua New Guinea and Fiji.

PFF was founded in Samoa 2009 with a mission to promote awareness and support for article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, dating from 1946.

LINKS

Discussion of Pacific media ombudsman on World Press Freedom Day

http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=75754

Pacific media groups agree to establish a Pacific Media Ombudsman

http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=75775

Pacific media ombudsman aimed at instilling confidence

http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=75805

Press Freedom Day hears calls for Pacific media Ombudsman

http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/program/pacific-beat/press-freedom-day-hears-calls-for-pacific-media-ombudsman/1125380

Pacific media ombudsman endorsed

http://www.talanei.com/Pacific-media-ombudsman-endorsed/16257378

Pacific Freedom Forum say there is good support for a Pacific Media Ombudsman

http://pacmas.org/blog-post/pacific-freedom-forum-say-there-is-good-support-for-a-pacific-media-ombudsman

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CONTACTS :

PFF Chair Titi Gabi | Freelance Journalist | Papua New Guinea  | +67573143929 |  titi.gabipng@gmail.com

PFF co-Chair Monica Miller | KHJ Radio | American Samoa | + 6842584197 | monica@khjradio.com

PFF coordinator Jason Brown | Pasifika media | Aotearoa, New Zealand | +642102484560 | avaiki.nius@gmail.com 

ABOUT PFF :

 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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PNG defamation threat risks chilling effect

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PNG opposition leader Belden Namah is facing a threat of defamation action from the government.
Photo: EMTV

NEWS RELEASE

Government threats in Papua New Guinea to sue an opposition politician and a TV station over corruption claims risk a chilling effect on freedoms of speech, warns the Pacific Freedom Forum.

“Defamation action by ruling leaders should be considered a very last resort option, if at all,” says PFF Chair, Titi Gabi, based in Port Moresby.

“Especially when, as in most cases, the government of the day uses public funds to pursue legal action against opponents and news media.”

Controversy erupted this week over claims by the opposition that plans to disband a state owned fuel exporter in favour of a public trust headed by the prime minister amounted to a potentially corrupt conflict of interest.

News of the claim was broadcast by EMTV, a private station, from footage of a press conference involving opposition leader Belden Namah.

His claims were reportedly not balanced with views from government.

EMTV is said to have pulled the story from the opposition leader and replaced it with an apology to the prime minister after a protest.

PFF co-Chair Monica Miller said governments are fully within their rights to raise concerns about news stories, and lodge protests with media organisations.

“Certainly government can rightfully be concerned at a perceived lack of balance in a report.”

“News media need to remind themselves constantly of the need for fairness and balance in all their reports, wherever possible.”

“But, however one-sided,  raising concerns about changes to publicly owned assets should not be a trigger for defamation action.”

“Such actions risks a chilling effect on freedoms of speech.”

Following announcement of the defamation action by Prime Minister Peter O'Neill, Namah further alleged that government had threatened to withdraw the EMTV broadcasting license.

There was no immediate confirmation from EMTV of any such threat. Neither the apology or the original story appear on the station website, or appear in online search cache.

O'Neill told a press conference that the EMTV license allegation did not happen at all, saying that TV licenses could only be withdrawn by the country's broadcasting authority .

“We welcome a statement from the government of Papua New Guinea denying a threat against a private television station and call on the O'Neill administration to display a similar hands-off approach to public debate”, said Miller.

LINKS

PNG’s PM to sue opposition leader, local tv station, and a reporter
http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=75673

PNG PM to sue opposition leader
http://news.msn.co.nz/worldnews/8651193/png-pm-to-sue-opposition-leader

I will provide evidence in court: Namah
http://www.pngvillage.net/2013/05/01/i-will-provide-evidence-in-court-namah/#.UYD5ErVmiSp

Namah swipes at Kumul ‘creature’
http://www.pngindustrynews.net/storyview.asp?storyid=798462465&sectionsource=s0

CONTACTS :

PFF Chair Titi Gabi | Freelance Journalist | Papua New Guinea  | +67573143929 |  titi.gabipng@gmail.com

PFF co-Chair Monica Miller | KHJ Radio | American Samoa | + 6842584197 | monica@khjradio.com

FOR WPFD / PMO / PFF info

PFF Coordinator Lisa Lahari Williams | Pacific media | Honiara, Solomon Islands | lisawilliams.online@gmail.com | +6777574230

Incoming PFF coordinator Jason Brown | Pasifika media | Aotearoa, New Zealand | avaiki.nius@gmail.com | +642102484560

ABOUT PFF :

 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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