PACIFIC FREEDOM FORUM

JOURNALISTS IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA must be able to report the ongoing political tensions in the country without fear or intimidation, says Pacific media monitoring watchdog the Pacific Freedom Forum, PFF.

Speaking from Port Moresby, PFF chair Titi Gabi has called for an investigation after soldiers at the Murray Barracks in Port Moresby reportedly threatened to shoot PNG FM reporter Tauna George on Thursday 26 January.

George, a resident at the Barracks, had rushed to the front gates to see why shots were being fired. As he approached the main office to request an interview, four soldiers ordered him to sit down, searched him, removed his phone, notebook and biro, and threatened to shoot him.

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

"An investigation into the officers who took it upon themselves to threaten the life of a journalist going about his job would help them better understand how to treat civilians and media workers during times of tension and upheaval," says Gabi.

"Anyone who has a gun pulled on them and a threat to shoot is a victim of a criminal act, regardless of timing or who is behind the firearm."

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

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s  PNG correspondent, Firmin Nanol, was also denied access to a press conference organised the same day. In front of other media colleagues, Nanol was shouted at by Defence Department public relations officer, former journalist Benny Sandeka, who blamed the ABC for using the word 'coup' in reporting last week’s event.

The threats to PNG media in recent days come on the back of increasing incidences of self-censorship and intimidation in recent months within industry ranks. Journalists in the National Broadcasting Corporation and EMTV have noted unusual management decisions delaying or cancelling items for perceived 'imbalance'.

In two cases, talkback callers to an NBC live show were asked on-air if their comments were going to be for or against the O'Neill government. The troubled times for PNG newsrooms are compounded by the current leadership void in the nation’s once strong national media watchdog, the PNG Media Council.

"We encourage our PNG colleagues to discuss and report all acts of intimidation and harassment and promptly make all concerns known to other colleagues in the media," says PFF co-chair Monica Miller, from American Samoa.

"Self-censorship often results when intimidation, threats and silence become an accepted norm amongst journalists. We need to deal strongly and consistently with this on all fronts if we want to remain credible, independent and free."