Violent Threats to Journalist in Papua New Guinea

February 2, 2012

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins the Pacific Freedom Forum (PFF) in its calls for investigations into threats of violence against a journalist in Papua New Guinea on January 26.

According to the PFF report, soldiers at the Murray Barracks in the Papua New Guinea capital of Port Moresby threatened to shoot PNGFM reporter Tauna George on Thursday January 26. George, a resident at the Barracks, had rushed to the front gates to see why shots were being fired randomly on the same morning. As he approached the main office to request an interview, four soldiers ordered him to sit down, searched him, removed his phone, notebook and pen, and threatened to shoot him.

Allegations of intimidation of journalists in Papua New Guinea have increased in recent weeks.

Also on January 26, ABC PNG journalist Firmin Nanol was denied access to a Press Conference and verbally abused by Department of Defence staff member, Benny Sandeka, apparently in response to his reporting of recent political events in Papua New Guinea.

Journalists in the Papua New Guinean television stations National Broadcasting Corporation and EMTV have also reported increased levels of self-censorship. The PFF report notes that management decisions have become increasingly delayed, with a number of prepared news bulletins being withdrawn prior to broadcast due to perceived ‘imbalance’. In two cases, talk-back 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 IFJ joins the PFF in calling for a full investigation into recent allegations of intimidation and censorship of journalists in Papua New Guinea,” IFJ Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said.

“Such action is a breach of media rights, and inconsistent with fair and democratic governance. The press should be able to report freely on events in the public interest, without fear for their personal safety.”

For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +612 9333 0950

The IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 131 countries

Find the IFJ on Twitter: @ifjasiapacific

Find the IFJ on Facebook: www.facebook.com/IFJAsiaPacific

ENDS

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