Newspaper Still Awaiting Publication Licence After 5 Months
Newspaper Still Awaiting Publication Licence After
Five Months
http://en.rsf.org/kiribati-newspaper-still-awaiting-19-06-2012,42814.html
PARIS (Reporters Without Borders / Pacific Media Watch): Reporters Without Borders reiterates its request to Taberannang Timeon, the Kiribati Minister for Communications, Transport, Tourism and Industrial Development, to grant a publication licence to the newspaper Kiribati Independent under the Newspaper Registration Act (1989).
“A registration application was submitted by the Kiribati Independent in December 2011 – why is it still under consideration?” the press freedom organisation asked.
“This silence, accompanied by two ministerial
orders issued to the newspaper to cease publication,
constitutes a major obstacle to its work. The letter we
wrote to Taberannang Timeon on 25 May (see link) has remained unanswered. The
minister must grant the application by the Kiribati
Independent as quickly as possible or explain why the
application process is taking so long.
“A recent visit
by the police to the newspaper’s offices would appear to
be a clear indication of deliberate harassment.”
After checking with his lawyer, the newspaper’s editor and publisher Taberannang Korauaba continued operating but consequently received two orders from the Communications Ministry to cease publication. The paper resumed publishing on 1 June, followed by the police visit to the editorial offices on 19 June.
Pacific Scoop, a website run by the Pacific Media Centre, today quoted Korauaba as telling the watchdog Pacific Media Watch on 6 June: “Our lawyer has responded to the Communications Ministry advising them that Kiribati Independent is not in breach of the law and if they believe so they must proceed with prosecuting the publisher.”
Full text of RSF letter: http://en.rsf.org/kiribati-newspaper-still-awaiting-19-06-2012,42814.html
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