Attacks on journalists a national embarrassment says Polye
31 July 2016
PETER S KINJAP
THE attacks on and verbal abuse of media workers as they perform their public duties is an embarrassment to Papua New Guinea’s democracy, says opposition leader Don Polye.
Polye was commenting on journalists and a photographer who narrowly escaped harm while covering the imprisonment of a politician in Port Moresby last week.
“When we are in government, we will fund insurance cover for media personnel and pass laws to protect them from abuses and assaults from public,” he said.
Polye called on the people to understand the roles and responsibilities of the media.
“Despite challenges, our press upholds its primary role as an unofficial fourth arm of democracy under our Westminster system,” he said.
“Through the press, light has been shed on allegations of corruption in the country.”
Polye called on the Media Council of PNG to exert more effort to provide insurance cover for its members.
He also attacked the government for not acting in the public interest.
“The opposition and informed citizens do not want leaders who manipulate the police force and the Ombudsman Commission in order to delay investigations,” he said.
“We do not want leaders who promptly disband Taskforce Sweep when it finds evidence possibly incriminating a national leader.
“We do not want meaningless commissions of inquiry asked to report on government payments to lawyers which never report.
“The opposition wants honest and accountable leaders for Papua New Guinea.”
Comments