. . .

10th September 2015
ARCHIVE UPDATE

. . .

Pacific press at the Forum meeting –passports returned after some were detained, including Islands Business Editor-in-Chief Samisoni Pareti, and PacNews Editor Makareta Komai, right. Photo / @PNGLoop

Rarotonga, Cook Islands
10th September 2015

Detention of seven Pacific journalists in Papua New Guinea is yet another diplomatic insult to the 4th Estate and needs urgent attention, says PFF, the Pacific Freedom Forum.

"Members of the Pacific Islands Forum are notorious for hosting events that detain, sideline and obstruct news media from doing their jobs," says PFF Chair Titi Gabi.

"This latest incident here in PNG sends an especially bad signal when the region is demanding open access to West Papua."

West Papua campaigner Benny Wenda was refused a visa and not allowed entry, despite earlier promises from Prime Minister Peter O'Neill.

"This is a direct denial of freedom of access, movement, and speech on an issue that is the region's most urgent human rights concern," says Gabi. 

Pacific journalists arriving in Port Moresby for the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting were detained by immigration authorities, had their passports taken, and were forced to pay $1,000 kina (US$360) visa fees before entry.

Gabi says the one good thing that came out of the latest incident was the quick action taken by PNG Foreign Affairs minister 

"We commend his decision to stage an inquiry into this incident and call on him to raise this issue with his regional counterparts."

Among those detained was senior Fiji journalist, Islands Business Editor Samisoni Pareti, who posted news of his detention on Facebook.

"Their treatment compares with colleagues from New Zealand and Australia who, as members of official parties to PNG, enjoy visa-free entry," says Gabi.

Treatment of the journalists in PNG raised deeper concerns for those coming from countries under the Melanesian Spearhead Group, which claims to allow visa free travel between members.

PFF Co-Chair Monica Miller says that Pacific journalists have also long raised the point that Australia and New Zealand also charge steep fees, for even transit visas.

"Oceania states cannot hope to benefit from regionalism if they keep denying media access to borders and sources," she says.

"Oceania governments need to encourage Pacific news media to take greater interest in regional affairs, not punish them," says Miller.

"Journalism is not a crime."

Detention of the seven Pacific journalists was headlined by island-focused media including Fiji Times, ABC in Australia, and New Zealand's second biggest news site, Stuff. 

The detention was also informally criticised by members of New Zealand's biggest journalism group, the unregistered Kiwi Journalists Association, just over 2,000 strong.

PFF is repeating an earlier call for Pacific governments to host a meeting with regional media to address these and other issues, following up on the successful 1990 convention in Rarotonga, Cook Islands. 

HEADLINES

Held Pacific journos freed

http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=320917

PNG minister to investigate visa saga

http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/283520/png-minister-to-investigate-visa-saga

Foreign journalists detained on arrival in Papua New Guinea; released without passports

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-05/foreign-journalists-detained-on-arrival-in-papua-new-guinea/6751886

Pacific journalists have passports confiscated on arrival in PNG for forum

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/71813749/pacific-journalists-have-passports-confiscated-on-arrival-in-png-for-forum

PNG blocks Benny Wenda’s visa bid again – open Pacific plea for West Papua

http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2015/09/png-blocks-benny-wendas-visa-bid-again-open-pacific-protest-letter/

Forum chairs: West Papua will be given serious thought

http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/283621/forum-chairs-west-papua-will-be-given-serious-thought

PNG Gavman ino laikim West Papua Lida long go long kantri

http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/tokpisin/2015-09-07/png-gavman-ino-laikim-west-papua-lida-long-go-long-kantri/1490228

BACKGROUND

Permits still needed for Papua reporters

http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/273387/permits-still-needed-for-papua-reporters

CONTACTS

PFF Chair Titi Gabi | GM PNG Loop | Papua New Guinea Mail: PO Box 7776, Boroko, NCD, Papua New Guinea | Mob: (675) 7314 3929 | Email: titi.gabipng@gmail.com

PFF co-Chair Monica Miller | KHJ Radio | American Samoa Mob (684) 258-4197 | Office (684) 633-7793 | Email: monica@khjradio.com

PFF Editor Jason Brown | Aotearoa New Zealand | Mob: +(64) 224340831 | Email jasonbrown1965@live.com

Press pioneer : death of Oseah Philemon is the second major blow for the Pacific press, following that of a Papua New Guinea colleague, Susuve Laumaea, this same month. Photo / LoopPNG

“OP was an inspiration for generations of news and other media workers in Papua New Guinea”
- PFF 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PFF, Friday 29 December 2016

Papua New Guinea press pioneer Oseah Philemon has died, to deep grief at home and around the Pacific media community.

“OP was an inspiration for generations of news and other media workers in Papua New Guinea,” says Monica Miller, Chair for PFF, the Pacific Freedom Forum.

“He was also a strong regional voice for spreading ethics and independence among his colleagues, in newsrooms all over the Pacific.”

As a vice-president of PINA, the Pacific Islands News Association, the region’s oldest news organisation, Philemon was quick to praise and defend colleagues, including foreign editors working in the islands.

Philemon was a confirmed regionalist from the earliest days, encouraging regionalism at the media meetings he attended, and the many more meetings he referred staff and other colleagues towards.

As well as a regionalist, Philemon was also a realist. During a 2005 gun summit, he expressed scepticism about the power of the media to influence society:

“Newspapers were available only in towns; radio was listened to by those who could afford it, while TV was a luxury to many Papua New Guineans.”

He may had have similar scepticism about the advent of the internet, and it’s creation of a new divide, this time digital.

Already saddened from the loss of Susuve Laumaea, Papua New Guinea news media were stunned with the news that “OP” had also died.

Tributes poured in for both men, including from Prime Minister Peter O’Neill.

Described by some sites as ‘retired’, the last piece written by Philemon appeared online just four days before his passing – still with an eye to a headline pun.

It was the other daily, The National, that linked the passing of Philemon with an earlier PNG media memorial – that of Susuve Laumaea, a former Chair of the Pacific Freedom Forum. 

If Laumaea was renown for his volcanic criticism of journalism ethics, Philemon was an entire mountain range of media ethics and independence.

Perhaps his most compassionate moment in service of both those qualities came during the 1999 PINA convention held in Pape’ete, French Polynesia.

His embrace of Maire Bopp Dupont, a journalism student; the first Pacific Islander to go public with HIV, set the tone for sympathetic press coverage from some 200 news media leaders from all over the Pacific Islands.

A quick online search reveals just over 120 links to Philemon and his stories quoted in academic studies, and other sources under Google Books.

Overall, there are 3,310 links online for Philemon.

CONTACTS

Monica Miller
PFF Chair
News Director
South Seas Broadcasting
American Samoa monica@southseasbroadcasting.com

Netani Rika
PFF Coordinator
Communications Director
Pacific Council of Churches Fiji
netrika66@gmail.com

Jason Brown
PFF Editor
Islands Business correspondent
Aotearoa, New Zealand
jasonbrown1965@live.com
+64224340831

ABOUT PFF

The Pacific Freedom Forum is 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.
. . .

Post-Laumaea: Susuve Laumaea, pictured right, at a function in 2014. His death attracted dozens of messages of condolence from colleagues in PNG and around the region.

“My heart is broken”
– former PFF Chair Titi Gabi 

. . .
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PFF Friday, 29 December, 2016
. . .

Island media communities are mourning a loss from the Pacific press – longtime Papua New Guinea journalist Susuve Laumaea.

“My heart is broken,” says former Pacific Freedom Forum Chair Titi Gabi, who succeeded Laumaea as head of PFF in 2011.

Laumaea was, she says, one of “the only senior journalists in PNG to care enough to give our efforts time and advice and leadership.”

GRIEF

Gabi joined dozens of Papua New Guinea media and communications colleagues, friends and family in an outpouring of grief.

She praised him as founding chair of the Papua New Guinea Media Workers Association, providing leadership until his death.

First messages of sympathy appeared on his personal profile around 5am, Port Moresby time.

LION HEARTED

Current PFF Chair Monica Miller says Laumaea will be remembered for a lion-hearted voice not just in Port Moresby, but capitals around the Pacific.

“He was equally fearless telling off the oil industry – which he worked for – as he was his own profession of journalism – which he also worked for,” says Miller, recalling his impact from her home base in Pagopago.

Laumaea was a founding member of the Pacific Freedom Forum.

REELING

Colleagues were still reeling from his death, when another press legend Oseah Philemon also died, just days later, attracting top leveltributes, including from Prime Minister Peter O’Neill:

“The late Susuve Laumaea and the late Oseah Philemon each made great contributions to the communication of essential information to our people.”

In one of his last emails, posted online by Gorethy Kenneth, Philemon praised Laumaea as a “A great writer, thinker, friend, citizen – no word or words can best describe his character.”

DARK SIDE

Laumaea also worked as PR for an oil company, and once stood as a political candidate for Gulf Bay, laughing off challenges by fellow journalists about conflicts of interest.

Susuve Laumaea may have ‘crossed to the dark side’ of public relations but a journalist he was, and a journalist he remained.

Even when he worked for 'their' side, behind the scenes, Susuve Laumaea was always also working, if not fighting, for media freedom.

UNIVERSAL RIGHT

He translated journalism voices into governance contexts that newcomers to power ignored at their peril.

In one of his most comprehensive speeches to remain online, Laumaea in 2010 laid out his vision for media freedom in the Pacific:

“Freedom of Information and the right to know is a universal right of every man, woman and child on God Almighty’s Planet Earth.”

ROBUST

Even as a PR person Laumaea was robust in his criticism of attacks against the media.

“When powerful economic and political forces turn against the media for what is written, said or viewed, they forget that they create the news and the media merely reports what’s said and done by the same economic and political players.”

On his Academia profile as an independent researcher, Laumaea listed his interests as 
anti-corruption, human rights and corruption, and anti-money laundering.

In the words of another colleague, Franzalbert Joku, posting on his profile, “Till we meet in the next edition…”

CONTACTS

Monica Miller
PFF Chair
News Director
South Seas Broadcasting
American Samoa monica@southseasbroadcasting.com

Netani Rika
PFF Coordinator
Communications Director
Pacific Council of Churches Fiji
netrika66@gmail.com

Jason Brown
PFF Editor
Islands Business correspondent
Aotearoa, New Zealand
jasonbrown1965@live.com
+64224340831

ABOUT PFF

The Pacific Freedom Forum is 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.

. . .

Giants: Oseah Philemon and Susuve Laumaea were two giants of the Papua New Guinea press – PFF is paying tribute to their long careers promoting media freedom. Photo / LoopPNG. 

“.. the passing of these two legends is a huge loss not just to Papua New Guinea but to the Pacific regional media scene”
- PFF

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, 29th December 2016

Pacific Freedom Forum is joining tributes to two leading media icons of Papua New Guinea, after they both died within days of each other this month.

“Like most icons, both men had numerous nicknames across the huge range of people they knew, helped and loved, at all levels of society” says PFF Chair Monica Miller.

“Known most affectionately by their acronyms – OP and SL – the passing of these two legends is a huge loss not just to Papua New Guinea but to the Pacific regional media scene.”

Miller says Philemon and Laumaea made many contributions to regional awareness in support of media freedom, and the vital role the Fourth Estate plays in national development.

PFF’s statement on Oseah Philemon can be found here.

PFF’s statement on Susuve Laumaea can be found here.

CONTACTS

Monica Miller
PFF Chair
News Director
South Seas Broadcasting
American Samoa monica@southseasbroadcasting.com

Netani Rika
PFF Coordinator
Communications Director
Pacific Council of Churches Fiji
netrika66@gmail.com

Jason Brown
PFF Editor
Islands Business correspondent
Aotearoa, New Zealand
jasonbrown1965@live.com
+64224340831

ABOUT PFF

The Pacific Freedom Forum is 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.

. . .

New year – new site: PFF starts 2017 with a website to rebuild, and a new focus on action as well as scrutiny. Image / PFF

. . .

“Having highlighted freedom and ethics problems facing news media since 2008, PFF hopes to lead into its tenth anniversary next year by suggesting actions and implementing solutions.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
1st January 2017

Mataora mataiti ou – happy new year !

Pacific Freedom Forum starts 2017 with a new online platform.

See www.pacificfreedomforum.info– which we’re rebuilding from the interim PFF Facebook home.

The new site will act as a focus point for media freedom and ethics as we take action heading into a brand new year.

Helping out : PFF Editor Jason Brown, assisting PIMA, the Pacific Islands Media Association, at their AGM last month. From left, PIMA Chair Will ‘Ilolahia, adviser Manu Fotu, vice Chair Judy Bataillard, and board member George Vea.

PROBLEMS, ACTIONS AND SOLUTIONS

Having highlighted freedom and ethics problems facing news media since 2008, PFF hopes to lead into its tenth anniversary next year by suggesting actions and implementing solutions.

“We are currently looking at our founding structures, and what we can do to ensure that our advocacy reaches the widest possible audiences,” says PFF Chair Monica Miller.

“That means building on existing partnerships, with IFEX, the International Freedom of Expression Exchange, and closer to home, PINA, the Pacific Islands News Association, and PIMA, the Pacific Islands Media Association.

“We will also be forging new partnerships to build our capacity, including moving on from our volunteer-only status towards an established secretariat.”

PROBLEMS

Merdeka: Indonesia hosts 2017 World Press Freedom Day – but will it allow free access to West Papua?

A leading concern remaining from 2016 is continued attacks on freedom of expression in West Papua. 

Indonesia’s Tempo magazine quotes a human rights organisation recording that :

“declining indexes were apparent from restrictions of freedom of expression, for instance criminalization of human rights activists, Papua residents and journalists. Setara Institute recorded that the highest number of human rights violations occurred in Papua, where 29 people were criminalized, 2,397 people were arrested during protests, 13 people were killed, 68 were shot and [there were] two murder attempts in 2016.”

PFF has called on Indonesia to stop attacks on media freedom in West Papua, calling for foreign media to be given full and free access to provinces ahead of Jakarta hosting World Press Freedom Day in May this year. 

OTHER PROBLEMS

Local media: Nauru blocked opposition access to state news – but election observers still declared the elections ‘fair’.

There were also attacks on media and freedom of expression in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Nauru, Tonga, Fiji, and Samoa.

Other media challenges arose in Samoa, Fiji and the Cook Islands.

Three new elements of PFF scrutiny emerged this last year – an assault against a social network user in Vanuatu, and the arrest of a 12 year old girl in Papua New Guinea over a Facebook post; a failure by Commonwealth and Pacific Islands Forum officials to fully scrutinise censorship of local news media in the lead up to elections in Nauru, and the long neglected issue of bullying in newsrooms, especially against women, usually by male bosses.

ACTIONS

Funding: PFF is looking for support to help establish a Pacific media ombudsman.

PFF is actively seeking funding this year to go towards its scrutiny of media freedom and ethics issues.

Funding sought will support operations of the secretariat, and establishment of a Pacific media ombudsman, first mooted at a PFF conference in the Solomon Islands in 2013.

Another significant development from 2016 was new levels of cooperation between the various Pacific media groups.

SOLUTIONS

A notable event was the first ever joint statement between the Pacific Freedom Forum, PINA Pacific Islands News Association based in Fiji and PIMA Pacific Islands Media Association, based in New Zealand.

PFF also played a pivotal role assisting PIMA, proposing radical new levels of transparency and accountability, with members agreeing at their annual general meeting two weeks ago.

PFF says that the three groups have had professional disagreements in the past, especially over ethics, and accountability.

Weakness: Newsrooms are often subject to bullying from management.

TURNING WEAKNESSES INTO STRENGTHS

“But there seems to be an agreement evolving to focus on building media strengths, as well as exposing weaknesses and suggesting potential solutions,” says Miller.

Debate over professional standards should, for example, be seen as a strength, not a weakness, she says.

Greater scrutiny improves news transparency, and media accountability adds to the credibility of the Fourth Estate, says Miller.

MORE

29 October 2016
Free access call for Fiji - PFF
https://web.facebook.com/notes/pacific-freedom-forum/free-access-call-for-fiji-pff/1362264390480423

2 October 2016
Fiji action against gag letter shows leadership - PFF
https://web.facebook.com/notes/pacific-freedom-forum/fiji-action-against-gag-letter-shows-leadership-pff/1331661253540737

22 September 2016
Regional journalists push job safety for PNG media
https://web.facebook.com/notes/pacific-freedom-forum/regional-journalists-push-job-safety-for-png-media/1321431701230359

29 August 2016
Death of Samoa media pioneer unites media
https://web.facebook.com/notes/pacific-freedom-forum/death-of-samoa-media-pioneer-unites-media/1293274050712791

19 August 2016
Abandon 'overkill' case against Fiji Times – PFF
https://web.facebook.com/notes/pacific-freedom-forum/abandon-overkill-case-against-fiji-times-pff/1280810751959121

28 July 2016
PNG police should protect press, people - PFF
https://web.facebook.com/notes/pacific-freedom-forum/png-police-should-protect-press-people-pff/1256944894345707

24 July 2016
Free and fair access to all media - PFF
https://web.facebook.com/notes/pacific-freedom-forum/free-and-fair-access-to-all-media-pff/1253266618046868

. . .

“It is criminal”– Te Tia Ara (French Polynesian Consumer Association) President Makalio Folituu has slammed the closure of AM radio, saying it endangers outer islanders. Photo / Te Tia Ara

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
14th January 2017

France must rethink its shutdown of AM radio broadcasting in Polynesia, says PFF, the Pacific Freedom Forum.

“People in the outer islands of French Polynesia are rightly complaining against the closure,” says PFF Chair Monica Miller.

“France must rethink its decision if it values the lives of all its citizens.”

Miller says that France is ignoring the safety of outer islanders who rely on a strong AM signal from Radio Polynésie Première for emergencies, especially during frequent cyclones.

French Polynesia has been hit by as many as five major cyclones in one season, back in the early 1980s.

“What excuse has France got, really, for shutting down the main source of information for the region’s second largest territory?” asks Miller.

“Surely the third largest economy in Europe can afford a few thousand for keeping all its citizens informed”, she says.

PFF is welcoming calls from the government of French Polynesia to reconsider the closure, and joins criticism from consumer association, Te Tia Ara:

"These decision makers - have they thought about these people living in harsh conditions, traveling by speed boat from island to island? Have they thought about our small scale fishermen going to sea, our workers in the transport sector? What about those who cultivate copra and who need to be reassured [of safe travel], have they thought of those people who do not want to be deprived of a bond [to the capital], to suffer in silence? Is it forgotten where isolation leads to? This decision is all the more serious because many of these inhabitants are only able to keep themselves informed with a small battery AM radio, with which authorities have invited these inhabitants to stay informed, to listen to the weather and take the necessary measures to avoid going to sea in case of a weather depression or cyclone and also to take care of themselves, to seek refuge when necessary. It is criminal to deprive them of the only means of staying informed. This relationship is vital, and so is the cohesion of our society and the security of these inhabitants."- Makalio Folituu, President Te Tia Ara

AM signals were shut down in December, with the state broadcaster adding five stations to a territorial network of 48 other FM stations.

“FM is vulnerable to disruption even in mild weather,” says Miller.

“By shutting down its AM signal, France is also betraying constitutional guarantees for press plurality,” she says.

French Polynesia joins a growing list of Pacific nations without long range radio broadcast capacity.

The Cook Islands next door turned down its AM signal after the state broadcaster was privatised in the early 1990s.

For years after, Cook Islanders outside the capital Rarotonga tuned into Samoa radio, 2AP.

But then a decade later Samoa almost privatised state radio, eventually deciding to cut back signal strength and staff numbers.

Australia is set to shut down shortwave broadcasting to the region on 17th January this month.

Since 2008, PFF has also raised alerts over political interference in news media, including assaults, arrests, legal threats, censorship, suspension and sacking of staff in West Papua, East Timor, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Nauru, Vanuatu, Fiji, the Cook Islands and French Polynesia.

"Governments need to stop seeing news media as their enemy", says Miller.

Instead, she says, they should see the Fourth Estate as partners - frontline first responders to disasters, and the most effective and efficient protection for citizens and economies against corruption, waste and mismanagement.

Radio Polynésie Première started broacasting as Radio Tahiti, for three hours a day, in 1949.

MORE

Loss of AM radio irks French Polynesia
http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/321809/loss-of-am-radio-irks-french-polynesia

Call to restore AM radio in French Polynesia
http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/322025/call-to-restore-am-radio-in-french-polynesia

Suppression de la radio AM : État et Pays montent au créneau (French)
http://www.tahiti-infos.com/Suppression-de-la-radio-AM-Etat-et-Pays-montent-au-creneau_a156644.html#

. . .

‘The clock ticks’– Islands Business magazine notes the fast approaching deadline for World Press Freedom Day events in Indonesia, on 3rd May 2016, to be hosted in Jakarta. Photo / Australia West Papua Association (Sydney)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Indonesia has less than three months to deliver "full and free" press access to Papua provinces, says PFF, the Pacific Freedom Forum.

"Jakarta risks global condemnation if it continues to ignore the facts," warns PFF Chair Monica Miller.

"A visit last month by media freedom campaigners proves that access for Papua press is still far from full and free", she says.

VIOLENCE, BULLYING, SEXUAL HARRASSMENT

An eight person delegation from MFCI, the Media Freedom Committee Indonesia, visited the Papua towns of Jayapura, Merauke and Timika, between 29th January to 3rd February.

Their reported findings include :

- Ten cases of violence against journalists that are still not resolved.

- Only 16 foreign press were given permits to visit Papua last year, with 11 forced to accept government guides. 

- Different treatment from Indonesian officials for indigenous journalists versus Indonesian journalists - such as stigmatisation and intimidation of "OAP" - 'original Papua persons'.

- Local press still need police permits to cover public gatherings, including protests.

- Women journalists routinely suffer bullying and sexual harassment from government sources, but rarely report it to police because they "take it for granted."

- In an atmosphere of surveillance, intimidation and harassment, media outlets find it impossible to recruit new reporters. One training session for newcomers saw 30 people on the first day, 12 the second day and none the third.

- Business models threaten independence of Papua media, including in Timika, where ad revenues are sourced from Freeport mine, its subsidiaries and local government.

- Threats against independence include pressure from "certain parties" on mass media not to cover environmental issues.

- Isolation from other media due to a lack of access to communications resources causes ethical lapses.

Members of the Media Freedom Committee Indonesia present findings from their visit to three towns in Papua. Photo / WAN-IFRA

‘DO MUCH MORE’

Supported by WAN-IFRA, the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers, under its Strengthening Media and Society programme, the MFCI visit was also backed by the Denmark ministry of Foreign Affairs.

PFF welcomes the input from WAN-IFRA, and praises the leadership role played by Denmark.

"Other diplomatic partners in Jakarta need to do much more to support press freedom," says Miller.

SHAMEFUL

"Their continued silence on abuses against the press and other human rights compares shamefully with billions in profit being made from Papua by outside interests."

Findings from the MFCI visit join recent wide concern expressed about Indonesia blocking access to 800,000 websites.

Among blocked sites is SuaraPapua - the Voice of Papua - a news outlet exposing human rights abuses.

VOICE FOR THE VOICELESS

PFF praises LBH Pers, the Legal Aid Institute for the Press, for representing SuaraPapua as a "voice for voiceless."

Last year, PFF laid down a deadline for open access to Papua, in the lead up to Indonesia hosting World Press Freedom Day on 3rd May 2017.

The deadline was reportedly rejected by a minor official at the Indonesian embassy in Wellington, New Zealand.

Indonesia media members delve into the MCFI findings, at the Aone Hotel, central Jakarta. Photo / WAN-IFRA

THINK CAREFULLY

However, PFF has not been able to get confirmation of the alleged rejection from Jakarta.

"Instead of speeding up preparations for World Press Freedom Day, Jakarta appears to be slowing down", says Miller.

"Make no mistake, Jakarta needs to think very, very carefully about its continued failure to fulfil its own promises, its own guarantees for media freedom under the Indonesian constitution, and its signature to many international treaties."

‘BAD’

Ahead of #WPFD2017, PFF is calling on journalists everywhere to focus attention on one of the world's least reported areas.

"This year, global journalists must all prove themselves wantoks of the Papua press", she says.

Indonesia improved eight places between 2015 and 2016 on the RSF, Reporters Sans Frontiers World Press Freedom Index, at 130 of 180 countries, but is still coded red for a generally “bad” situation.

HEADLINES

Most journalists discriminated against in Papua
http://suarapapua.com/…/jurnalis-papua-sering-didiskrimina…/ (Indonesian)

Indonesia fails media test in West Papua
https://awpasydneynews.blogspot.co.nz/…/indonesia-fails-med… (English)

A voice from Papua
https://www.wan-ifra.org/…/…/05/a-voice-from-papua-indonesia (English)

In Papua, sexual harassment often occurs against women journalists
http://tabloidjubi.com/artikel-3458--di-papua-pelecehan-sex… (Indonesian)

Journalists in Papua Not Free of Bullying
http://makassar.tribunnews.com/…/jurnalis-di-papua-tak-terl… (Indonesian)

Jakarta keeps strong grip on Papua as rallies intensify
http://www.thejakartapost.com/…/jakarta-keeps-strong-grip-o… (English)

Releasing Papua perspectives: Eight Indonesian journalists report their journey
http://www.tribunnews.com/…/perspektif-pers-dari-tanah-papu… (Indonesian)

. . .

“Public servants owe their loyalty to the public who pay the bills, not bureaucrats who spend their taxes” – PFF
 

Vanuatu threat :

Acting PSC Secretary Jacques
Gideon says public servants posting
comments on social media face
“disciplinary” action for airing
“dirty laundry” in public. Photo / Vanuatu Daily Post 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Warning public servants against making public statements goes against fundamentals of public service, says PFF, the Pacific Freedom Forum.

“We call on the acting head to withdraw their media gag,” says PFF Chair Monica Miller.

“Public servants owe their loyalty to the public who pay the bills, not bureaucrats who spend their taxes,” says Miller.

Warning

Earlier this month, Jacques Gideon, the Acting Secretary of the Office of Public Service Commission, warned public servants against using social media to express concerns.

He threatened “disciplinary action” under PSC regulations against those who speak out.

Miller rejected the reported PSC statement that public servants expressing an opinion on social media was airing “dirty laundry” in public.

Laws of the land

Miller says senior officials need to reread the laws of the land.

Vanuatu constitutional provisions guarantee freedom of expression, and demand that all citizens fulfil their duty to safeguard national wealth, resources and environment in the interests of present and future generations.

“This is only possible if all citizens, including public servants, can speak their minds fairly and freely, without fear of prosecution or persecution,” says Miller.

Governance

Social networks are now an accepted part of the media and governance landscape.

Senior government officials need to embrace that, rather than fight history, says Miller.

Vanuatu recently became the second Pacific nation to adopt freedom of information laws. 

MORE

Media gag on public servants by PSC
http://dailypost.vu/news/media-gag-on-public-servants-by-psc/article_888f9ba3-eff9-55aa-9ac3-15f30ff91506.html

Vanuatu constitution
http://publicofficialsfinancialdisclosure.worldbank.org/sites/fdl/files/assets/law-library-files/Vanuatu_Constitution_en.pdf

. . .

Fiji Times publisher Hank Arts, centre, outside the High Court. Photo / Fiji Sun

PACIFIC FREEDOM FORUM·WEDNESDAY, 8 MARCH 2017

“Outdated seditious libel laws inherited by Fiji from the United Kingdom should be left back in the colonial era where they belong” - PFF

Fiji Times Publisher Hank Arts and Editor Fred Wesley exit the High Court yesterday, after hearing of plans to look at sedition charges over an opinion column. Photo / Fiji Village

ARCHIVE (from PFF FB page):

Judicial partners should encourage the Fiji prosecution office to pull back from sedition charges against the country's leading newspaper, says PFF, the Pacific Freedom Forum.

"Fiji's judiciary is again out of step with the rest of the region", says PFF Chair Monica Miller, speaking from American Samoa.

"Colleagues from around the region need to extend what they've learn from many millions in aid spent on improving judicial services."

Incitement

Director of Public Prosecutions, Christopher Pryde, was this week given 21 days leave by the Fiji High Court to consider whether or not existing charges of "inciting communal antagonism" should be upgraded to sedition.

The charges stem from an opinion piece in an indigenous language newspaper, Nai Lalakai, published criticising the role of Muslims in the Fiji government.

In iTaukei, the column includes the passage which raised incitement charges:

“Muslims are not the indigenous of this country. These are people that have invaded other nations, for example, Bangladesh in India, where they killed, raped and abused their women and children. Today they have gone to the extent of having a part in the running of the country.”

Unfair

Anti-muslim opinion - former politician Josaia Waqabaca outside Fiji High Court this week. Photo / Rama / Fiji Times

Column author Josaia Waqabaca faces incitement charges along with Nai Lalakai editor Anare Ravula, The Fiji Times Editor-in-Chief Fred Wesley, along with Fiji Times Ltd publisher and general manager Hank Arts.

Miller says the opinion piece has already been attacked in public as deeply unfair to Fiji Muslims.

"And that's where unfair opinion should be challenged - in the court of public opinion - not the actual courts themselves," says Miller.

Colonial

PFF is repeating earlier calls to drop the incitement charges, and abandon any move towards sedition charges.

"Outdated seditious libel laws inherited by Fiji from the United Kingdom should be left back in the colonial era where they belong", she says.

The United Kingdom abolished the offence of seditious libel in 2009.

Press

Miller describes leave given by the court as sending the completely wrong message about the role of the press.

"Hopefully, other courts around the region do not see this as a precedent for dealing with the Fourth Estate."

The case returns to court on 23 March.

LINKS

DPP looks at sedition charges for Fiji Times, Hank Arts and others http://fijivillage.com/news-feature...

DPP plans to amend charges in media case http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx...

Charges against Fiji Times and four others may be amended https://fijione.tv/charges-aganist-...

I did not instruct my lawyer to challenge caution interview: http://www.fbc.com.fj/fiji/48805/i-...

CONTACTS

Monica Miller
PFF Chair
News Director, South Seas Broadcasting American Samoa monica@southseasbroadcasting.com
+6842584197

Alexander Rheeney
PFF Co-Chair
President, Media Council PNG
Papua New Guinea alexander.rheeney@outlook.com
+67578045266

Bernadette H. Carreon
PFF Co-Chair
Palau
Correspondent, Guam Business
carreon.bernadette@gmail.com
+680779430

Netani Rika
PFF Coordinator
Communications Director
Pacific Council of Churches Fiji netrika66@gmail.com 

ABOUT PFF

The Pacific Freedom Forum is 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.

. . .

Women in media - PFF Chair Monica Miller, centre, and FFA Media Officer Lisa Williams, left, with PINA President Moses Stevens, at the 2016 Pacific Media Summit.

PACIFIC FREEDOM FORUM·THURSDAY, 9 MARCH 2017

“I am making this plea to the women who go through any situation where their rights as workers and journalists are under threat, to please reach out and report these incidents”

ARCHIVE UPDATE :

Women journalists may appear to have a glamorous job, but reality behind the scenes includes bullying, sexual harassment and lower pay. Photo / RNZI / Johnny Blades

#IWD Message from PFF Chair Monica Miller

Women’s rights are human rights.

Reminding ourselves and our communities of that simple statement every March 8 is a call that is necessary for two reasons: we need to celebrate the achievements and progress that has been made.

Decent pay

And we need to recharge ourselves, organize, and act to rise up to the challenges that remain.

Pacific women in the media, through the promise of our Pacific leaders when they went to Beijing, China for the UN's action call on women in 1995, have a right to leadership and decision-making roles in the media.

They have a right to decent pay and working conditions while employers implement gender equality polices in newsrooms.

Fair, balanced

And as media consumers, we all have the right to fair, balanced news content speaking to gender balanced news content and values.

They a right to all these things not because they are women, but because they are human.

International Women's Day isn't about creating a space where our men and boys feel left out.

Threats

It's about addressing the spaces where our women and girls are left out.

This time last year, as we have in previous years, PFF issued an alert specific to the threats against women's voices and women's work in the news.

That hasn't changed.

Volunteer

Our media release this year highlights a focus issue of concern for balance in gender portrayal in news content, and calls on more Pacific newsrooms to support the Global Media Monitoring Project, to ensure results are more reflective of our realities.

PFF is a volunteer network, led by journalists for journalists on the Article 19 watchdog role at the core of our work.

I want to thank my co-chairs Alex Rheeney from PNG, and Bernedette Carreon from Palau, for their support and advisory role for the Melanesia and Micronesia subregions.

Violence

In the focus that PFF takes on industry-led, industry-focused solutions to the problems of violence, intimidation, and working conditions facing our Pacific women in journalism, there remains an insidious silence and denial that the problems women in media face are worth reporting.

I am making this plea to the women who go through any situation where their rights as workers and journalists are under threat, to please reach out and report these incidents.

About IWD The United Nations began celebrating International Women’s Day (IWD) on 8 March during International Women’s Year 1975.

United Nations

Two years later, in December 1977, the General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming a United Nations Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace to be observed on any day of the year by Member States, in accordance with their historical and national traditions.

International Women’s Day first emerged from the activities of labour movements at the turn of the twentieth century in North America and across Europe.

Since those early years, International Women’s Day has assumed a new global dimension for women in developed and developing countries alike.

Acts of courage

The growing international women’s movement, which has been strengthened by four global United Nations women’s conferences, has helped make the commemoration a rallying point to build support for women’s rights and participation in the political and economic arenas.

Increasingly, International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on progress made.

To call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities.

NOTE:

PFF - registered in the Cook Islands - dateline today is 8th March, International Women’s Day #IWD

PFF HEADLINES ON WOMEN IN MEDIA

News leaders must stop bullying women https://www.facebook.com/notes/paci...

Stop assaults on free speech https://www.facebook.com/notes/paci...

Deadline looms on Papua Press blocks http://www.pacificfreedomforum.info/...

CONTACTS

Monica Miller
PFF Chair
News Director, South Seas Broadcasting American Samoa monica@southseasbroadcasting.com
+6842584197

Alexander Rheeney
PFF Co-Chair
President, Media Council PNG
Papua New Guinea alexander.rheeney@outlook.com
+67578045266

Bernadette H. Carreon
PFF Co-Chair
Palau
Correspondent, Guam Business
carreon.bernadette@gmail.com
+680779430

Netani Rika
PFF Coordinator
Communications Director
Pacific Council of Churches Fiji netrika66@gmail.com

ABOUT PFF

The Pacific Freedom Forum is 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.

. . .

“ At a time when CSOs also face increasing pressure, please help our colleagues at the ABC help keep your audiences informed, engaged, and participatory.

PACIFIC FREEDOM FORUM·SUNDAY, 12 MARCH 2017

Civil society across the region - PIANGO Executive Director Emele Duituturaga, presenting at high level UN event on post-2015 agenda. Photo / PIANGO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE :

Talofa, greetings civil society partners,

For decades, news teams across Oceania have helped create awareness around civil society issues, promoting vital debate, far beyond CSO board rooms.

Not always in ways some feel that media 'should', but how media 'could' with shrinking capacity - and nearly always for public good. Now, news media need help from civil society organisations - to #saveshortwave.

Here's why :

On 31st January, ABC, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, cut off shortwave broadcasts to the Pacific region – the latest in years of cutbacks. This means there is just one regional shortwave service remaining - RNZI – now in its seventh year of a funding freeze.

That leaves RNZI more isolated, and increasingly vulnerable to political pressure. Both stations act as an information lifeline during times of natural disasters, and political crisis.

Ending nearly 80 years of shortwave service has been widely criticised, with just over 1,000 supporters joining our petition already. Among them, Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna, and senior officials from around the island region. Even Australia's own Foreign Affairs minister Julie Bishop has expressed concern.

Please consider formally signing our PFF petition, here : https://www.change.org/p/abc-chair-hon-james-spigelman-save-lifesaving-shortwave-radio-to-the-pacific

Please consider making a submission to the senate hearings by 10th May later this year, here : http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Environment_and_Communications/Shortwaveradio

At a time when CSOs also face increasing pressure, please help our colleagues at the ABC help keep your audiences informed, engaged, and participatory.

Fa'afetai lava,

Monica Miller
PFF Chair

. . .

PACIFIC FREEDOM FORUM·WEDNESDAY, 22 MARCH 2017

“Our first responsibility is to listen to views from the public, not take orders from career officials or political appointees.”

Whose department? Senior PNG officials have been 'reminded' that the news media are not their department. Image / Post Courier website

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE :

Governments should see news media as a partner – not one of their departments, reminds PFF, the Pacific Freedom Forum.

“Departmental heads have to remember an old saying in government when it comes to news media,” says PFF Chair Monica Miller -

“- that’s not my department.”

Warning vs. warning

PFF is responding to news from Papua New Guinea, quoting Health Secretary Pascoe Kase, describing him as having “warned” all media not to talk to “any” person unless he authorises them.

That warning was backed up by Finance Secretary Dr Ken Ngangan, who was reported as having “reminded” news media to “always” follow “protocol.”

But PFF is responding with a warning of its own.

Much worse off

“Papua New Guinea will be much worse off from corruption and mismanagement if news media wait for departmental heads all the time,” says Miller.

“Our first responsibility as news media is to listen to views from the public, not take orders from career officials or political appointees.”

Instead of seeing media as the enemy, Miller says governments should see news like a frontline against corruption, as called for by citizens and endorsed by island states at multiple international meetings, over decades.

Listen to the public

“May we also remind departmental heads they are there to listen to the public, which pay taxes funding their salaries.”

PFF welcomed other news last week of a meeting, hosted by Pacmas, the Pacific Media Assistance Scheme, and UNDP, the United Nations Development Fund, that was held in Fiji to improve relations between Parliament and media.

“Governments need to hold more of these meetings, and regional partners should look at widening the scope to include more news media”, says Miller.

Balanced, objective and impartial

In a country still heavily dependent on public broadcasting for information, Papua New Guinea has long had laws requiring that the government provide “balanced, objective and impartial broadcasting services” including that “adequate” access be given to public opinion - with questions of “accuracy” to be set by the NBCPNG.

Section 5d of the Constitution calls for “freedom of conscience, of expression, of information and of assembly and association.”

Papua New Guinea is also a member of the United Nations, with the article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights guaranteeing that “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.”

Media and government relations

PFF is repeating calls for governments across the region to revisit a 1990 media relations conference, held in the Cook Islands, as a long overdue step towards better mutual understanding.

Hosted by the Cook Islands with the Pacific Islands Forum, the conference saw comprehensive objectives laid out for improving relations between news media and island governments.

However there was never any follow up, with both governments and news media failing to act on the recommendations.

LINK

Media warned to follow protocols (subscription) http://www.postcourier.com.pg/login/?ref=%2FStories%2Fmedia-warned-to-follow-protocols%2F

CONTACTS

Monica Miller PFF Chair News Director South Seas Broadcasting American Samoa monica@southseasbroadcasting.com +6842584197

Alexander Rheeney PFF Co-Chair President Media Council PNG Papua New Guinea alexander.rheeney@outlook.com +67578045266

Bernadette H. Carreon PFF Co-Chair Palau Correspondent Guam Business carreon.bernadette@gmail.com +680779430

Netani Rika PFF Coordinator Communications Director Pacific Council of Churches Fiji netrika66@gmail.com

ABOUT PFF

The Pacific Freedom Forum is 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 FREEDOM FORUM·
SATURDAY, 25 MARCH 2017

“ Are world press supposed to attend World Press Freedom Day, sip fruity drinks in Jakarta, and pretend our colleagues in West Papua are not being seriously mistreated? ”

Tragedy to farce - an Indonesian immigration official shows how to fill out official forms for APOA, Foreign Reporter Applications. Photo / Antara / Irsan Mulyadi

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE :

World Press Freedom Day co-host Indonesia must issue a written directive to fulfil promises for free press access to West Papua, says PFF, the Pacific Freedom Forum.

“Latest deportation of two French journalists is an embarrassing reminder of how little Indonesia respects press freedoms,” says PFF Chair Monica Miller.

“Especially embarrassing because the two journalists were producing a documentary for Garuda, the national airline of Indonesia.”

Put it in writing

PFF is calling on #WPFD2017 co-host UNESCO to push for urgent action on the long promised but never delivered written directive from Indonesian President Joko Widodo.

Without any directive, the credibility of both UNESCO and Indonesia must come under serious question, says PFF.

“Indonesia cannot seek to enjoy favourable attention as hosts to world press while continuing a de facto ban on the same people,” says Miller.

Pretend

“Nor can UNESCO stand aside and let this issue slide silently by.”

PFF notes the lack of any specific sessions in the existing WPFD programme to address the issue of West Papua.

“Are world press supposed to attend World Press Freedom Day,” she asks, “sip fruity drinks in Jakarta, and pretend our colleagues in West Papua are not being seriously mistreated?

Two French journalists Franck Escudié and Basille Longchamp are put on display at an Indonesia police press conference in Tembagapura, Papua. Photo / AFP / Irsul Aditra

Farce

"Press freedoms in Indonesia have gone from a tragedy to a farce."

PFF supports the call from Human Rights Watch for Joko Widowi to issue a long-delayed written directive lifting restrictions on foreign media access to Papua, and appropriately punish government officials who refuse to comply.

“Criticism is not enough, action is needed. Nor is it enough to state that the latest deportation raises questions,” says Miller.

Half a century

“News media, press freedom advocates and human rights activists have been raising questions for half a century.”

Enough, is enough, says Miller.

"Indonesia has been warned already.

Mockery

“Unless UNESCO and Indonesia take action to immediately address this issue, PFF will have no alternative than to declare this event a mockery of world press freedom, unworthy of attendance.”

Instead of ignoring West Papua, Indonesia should mark World Press Freedom Day 2017 by allowing credibly independent observers from overseas to arrange free, unhindered and unmonitored news media access to the provinces.

“Stop watching the watchdogs,” Miller tells Indonesian security forces, long documented harassing, arresting, and persecuting West Papua press.

West Papua has suffered censorship in the form of travel bans on foreign press for more than five decades. Image / Free West Papua campaign

Deported

Jean Frank Pierre, 45, and Basille Marie Longhamp, 42, were charged and deported with violating Article 75 (1) of the 2011 Immigration Law.

This is despite Indonesia having extensive press freedom protection laws, which are mostly sidelined in Papua under various other laws, such as security for local media, and immigration for foreign press.

Indonesia is also a member of the United Nations, with article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights guaranteeing that “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.”

HEADLINES

Indonesia Steamrolls Media Freedom in Papua, Again https://www.hrw.org/…/indonesia-steamrolls-media-freedom-pa…

Two French journalists deported from Papua over alleged immigration violations http://www.thejakartapost.com/…/two-french-journalists-depo…

Indonesia deports 2 French journalists from Papua province http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm…

Two French Journalists Banned From Papua Over Visa Violations http://www.pireport.org/…/two-french-journalists-banned-pap…

French journo pair deported from West Papua http://www.radionz.co.nz/…/french-journo-pair-deported-from…

Two French journalists deported from Papua over alleged visa violations http://asiapacificreport.nz/…/two-french-journalists-depor…/

CONTACTS

Monica Miller
PFF Chair
News Director
South Seas Broadcasting
American Samoa
monica@southseasbroadcasting.com
+6842584197

Alexander Rheeney
PFF Co-Chair
President Media Council PNG
Papua New Guinea
alexander.rheeney@outlook.com
+67578045266

Bernadette H. Carreon
PFF Co-Chair Palau
Correspondent Guam Business
carreon.bernadette@gmail.com
+680779430

Netani Rika
PFF Coordinator
Communications Director Pacific Council of Churches
Fiji
netrika66@gmail.com

ABOUT PFF

The Pacific Freedom Forum is 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.

. . .

“Standing on sacred ground is no place to deny freedoms that many died defending ”

Angry headline on the press ban in Papua New Guinea. Screenshot / https://poboxblog.wordpress.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE :

Australia and Papua New Guinea must review media relations after two separate but equally "shocking" bans on PNG press, says PFF, the Pacific Freedom Forum.

In the first ban, PNG news media were told by Australian embassy officials to leave a press conference held at a war cemetery.

“Standing on sacred ground is no place to deny freedoms that many died defending”, says PFF Chair Monica Miller.

Arrogant

In a second ban after the cemetery visit, local news media were told by an official from the office of the PNG prime minister that they could not ask questions at a “joint” press between Peter O'Neil and Malcolm Turnbull.

“Australia has long faced criticism from the region for arrogant, neocolonial attitudes,” notes Miller.

“Issuing bans is no way to disprove those criticisms.”

Media anger - an ABC employee publicly criticises the prime ministerial press ban. Screenshot / Facebook

Blame and shame

PFF condemns the bans, and expresses disgust at the actions of both governments.

“The government of Papua New Guinea must share the blame - and the shame - with Australia for agreeing to ban PNG press from press conferences that should have been open to news media from both countries.”

In background briefings given to PFF, Port Moresby sources state that PNG press were told to leave by Australian officials after taking photos of a visit by Alexander Turnbull to Bomana cemetery, a major war graveyard, with thousands of dead from World War II.

PNG journalists who questioned the order were told that a press conference with Turnbull at the Bomana site was “only” for Australian press, because only Australian issues would be discussed.

After the Bomana visit, Turnbull held a second press conference with host prime minister Peter O'Neill, at Airways Hotel.

Astonished

PNG media were then instructed they were not allowed to ask questions at the second, "joint" press conference.

“PFF is astonished at having to remind Australia, as a former chair of the UN Security Council, that a joint prime ministerial press conference involves not just the leaders but also the press of both countries.

“Having to even say that beggars belief. A press ban amounts to a diplomatic insult, in any democracy.”

Racism in her face - veteran PNG journalist Gorethy Kenneth gets told to leave press conference. Screenshot / Daily Telegraph

Contempt

PFF regards the bans as representing two failures in basic freedoms.

“Two failures. One day. Two governments,” says Miller.

“Both bans show contempt for a free press, guaranteed under constitutional protections, and article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.”

Miller praises a journalist who defied the ban, saying Gorethy Kenneth from the PNG Post Courier should get answers to her questions.

Submission

“We also feel for Australian media colleagues who have been embarrassed by this diplomatic blunder.”

News of the press ban comes the same month as a PFF submission to an Australian senate committee remains held back from the public.

“Our submission is to a public inquiry, yet we have been told to stop sharing our submission with anyone else, until given approval by the committee.”

It is not clear how many other submissions, if any, are also being held back.

PFF offers the reminder that parliamentary procedure does not apply to press practice, which demands immediate release.

Australian newspaper describes media ban as a "debacle".
Screenshot / Daily Telegraph

Policy laundering

“Australia claims to be a regional leader yet stumbles over even the basics of human rights, such as freedoms of speech”, says Miller.

PFF regards the three press freedom failures as reinforcing long-standing questions about relations between Australia and the rest of the Pacific.

“Heavy handed tactics with the press may work in Australia, but we do not need that kind of policy laundered to the rest of the Pacific.”

Ranking media

PFF states that the press bans goes beyond diplomacy, and applies to all seven million citizens of Papua New Guinea, all twenty two million in Australia, and an "appalled" regional audience.

“How are citizens of Papua New Guinea supposed to stay informed if their prime minister fails to ensure their own news media gets in?

“How are Australian tax-payers supposed to learn if their aid dollars are being spent properly, if they don't hear local questions, from local media, challenging both leaders with local knowledge?”

PFF states that the bans reinforce the need for governments to rank media as a first priority, not last.

“Our message is simple - stop failing the Pacific press test, stop failing democracy.”

HEADLINES

PM’s Kokoda trip just a hasty PR exercise http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/rendezview/miranda-devine-pms-kokoda-trip-just-a-hasty-pr-exercise/news-story/3cfa22ee50677d1ec26cd72e837f3699

Turnbull in PNG: media snubs, refugee jitters & money problems http://asopa.typepad.com/asopa_people/2017/04/turnbull-in-png-media-snubs-refugee-jitters-money-problems.html

Opinion - Turnbull, the neocolonialist, bans #PNG media from conference in their own country
https://poboxblog.wordpress.com/2017/04/10/turnbull-the-neocolonialist-bans-papua-new-guinea-media-from-press-conference/

CONTACTS

Monica Miller
PFF Chair
News Director
South Seas Broadcasting
American Samoa
monica@southseasbroadcasting.com
+6842584197

Alexander Rheeney
PFF Co-Chair
President Media Council PNG
Papua New Guinea
alexander.rheeney@outlook.com 
+67578045266

Bernadette H. Carreon
PFF Co-Chair
Palau Correspondent
Guam Business
carreon.bernadette@gmail.com 
+680779430

Netani Rika
PFF Coordinator
Communications Director
Pacific Council of Churches
Fiji
netrika66@gmail.com

ABOUT PFF

The Pacific Freedom Forum is 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 Framework for Pacific Regionalism 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.

. . .

#alert | #westpapua #wpfd2017

News alert : France24 journalist Jack Hewson
is the latest to be banned from visiting West
Papua, despite Indonesia hosting World
Press Freedom Day in less than a month.
Photo / Twitter

Alert status : greenlight for statement

Links : Limited

Foreign Reporting in Papua
https://en.tempo.co/read/news/2017/04/07/314863531/Foreign-Reporting-in-Papua

Blacklisting of freelance journalist on Papua mission ‘paranoid’
http://asiapacificreport.nz/2017/04/11/blacklisting-of-freelance-journalist-covering-papua-paranoid-says-tempo/

Editor note : The Tempo piece gives Al Jazeera as Hewson’s employer, but Twitter and LinkedIn profiles both lead with France24.

. . .

Harassment - a copy of the warrant served on the daily newspaper. Image /
Samoa Observer 

“.. after accepting public support, she and her family must also accept there will be public questions, and even criticism - one goes with the other .. ”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Samoa police must stop abusing their powers and let the national media council address free speech concerns, says regional media watchdog the Pacific Freedom Forum, PFF.

“Citizens of Samoa are guaranteed the right to debate issues of public concern", says PFF Chair Monica Miller, in response to police actions on a case involving stigmata claims.

“Police should do nothing to deprive them of those constitutional rights, especially when recent actions against Samoa’s largest media outlet are raising questions over where their legal advice is coming from."

Threats - a screengrab of the police
officer’s Facebook profile, included
with an official complaint under
investigation by the Police Standards
Unit. Image / via O Le Palemia

Abuse, bullying and threats

Since last year, Police have allowed an officer to continue abusing, bullying and threatening people online.

In recent weeks, police started an investigation into the identity of a blogger who exposed the officer, arrested one woman on the basis of Facebook comments, and, taken action against a letter to a newspaper.

PFF is especially alarmed at police serving a warrant against daily newspaper Samoa Observer over a harassment complaint.

‘I wish I have a gun’ – the officer has removed
a photo of herself in uniform from her Facebook
profile, but left up a public comment from 2013,
expressing the desire to get hold of a firearm. 
Image / Facebook

Public interest

“Harassment laws were never intended for use against news media but were originally designed to protect people from abusive phone calls, often women suffering stalking from men."

Miller says this is obviously not the case with a young woman at the centre of the case against the newspaper.

“There is huge public interest in her claims of suffering stigmata," she says.

“But after accepting public support, she and her family must also accept there will be public questions, and even criticism - one goes with the other."

Last option

Miller questions why police agreed to take the complaint, and did not refer the complainant to the country's newly established media council.

“Going to the police should be the last option, not the first option."

She is especially critical of court officials for agreeing to the warrant.

“Court approval for search warrants is intended to act as a protection against police abuse of their powers", says Miller, "not act as a rubber stamp for whatever the police bring them."

“In this case, court officials have failed in their duty to respect the law."

Top story – public interest in the
stigmata story is huge, ‘most read’ on
the Samoa Observer site at more than
30,000 hits. Image / Samoa Observer 

Millions in aid

PFF says the Samoa police cases again raise wider questions about policing in the region.

“Millions of dollars of tax payers money have been spent by Australia and New Zealand to improve policing in the region.

“Yet we are seeing more and more cases of police abusing their powers against news media, including in Australia and New Zealand."

PFF has previously criticised police actions in Samoa, including officers smashing the phone of a member of the public using it to film police, and doing nothing when members of the press are threatened and assaulted in front of them.

Media council

From Papua New Guinea, PFF Co-chair Alex Rheeney says Samoa, as a member of the United Nations, must ensure it fully observes article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which guarantees people's freedom of thought, conscience and speech.

“Our Samoa media colleagues leading the new media council are well-respected regionally,” he says.

“They are more than capable of assisting Police through a dialogue aimed at building awareness by law enforcers of the role of the news media as the Fourth Estate, acting as a check and balance on the powers of parliament, government and the justice system."

HEADLINES

Police execute search warrant of Samoa Observer
http://samoaobserver.ws/en/23_04_2017/local/19230/Police-execute-search-warrant-of-Samoa-Observer.htm

Female Officer investigated for abusive language on social media
http://www.talamua.com/female-officer-investigated-for-abusive-language-on-social-media/

Police still in the hunt for ‘O.L.P.’ blogger
http://samoaobserver.ws/en/24_04_2017/local/19282/Police-still-in-the-hunt-for-%E2%80%98OLP%E2%80%99-blogger.htm

Crimes Act 2013 2013
http://www.paclii.org/cgi-bin/sinodisp/ws/legis/consol_act_2016/ca201382/ca201382.html?stem=&synonyms=&query=%20Crimes%20Act%202013

Police Woman Being Investigated
http://olepalemia.weebly.com/blog/police-woman-being-investigated

The Letter of Complaint to Police
http://olepalemia.weebly.com/blog/the-letter-of-complaint-to-police

Incompetent and Corrupt Officers Destroy Integrity of the Police Force
http://olepalemia.weebly.com/blog/incompetent-and-corrupt-officers-destroy-integrity-of-the-police-force

CONTACTS

Monica Miller
PFF Chair
News Director
South Seas Broadcasting
American Samoa
monica@southseasbroadcasting.com
+6842584197

Alexander Rheeney
PFF Co-Chair
President Media Council PNG
Papua New Guinea
alexander.rheeney@outlook.com
+67578045266

Bernadette H. Carreon
PFF Co-Chair
Palau Correspondent
Guam Business
carreon.bernadette@gmail.com
+680779430

Netani Rika
PFF Coordinator
Communications Director
Pacific Council of Churches
Fiji
netrika66@gmail.com

ABOUT PFF

The Pacific Freedom Forum is 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 Framework for Pacific Regionalism 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.

. . .

Hand written - Pacific press standing by colleagues in West Papua.

3rd May 2017 *
Rarotonga, Cook Islands
#wpfd2017 #pressfreedom

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Enemies of the press - foreign and domestic - are behind the failure of Indonesia to live up to press freedom promises for West Papua, says PFF, the Pacific Freedom Forum.

"Indonesia can now be confirmed as a failed state when it comes to freedom of expression," says PFF Chair Monica Miller.

"President Joko Widodo promised open access for foreign press to West Papua two years ago, but today sees another World Press Freedom Day without progress."

PFF joins RSF, Reporters Sans Frontieres, in condemning Indonesia's "double-dealing" hyprocrisy. The RSF report joins those from Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, Freedom House and others noting declines in press freedom in Indonesia, regionally, and worldwide.

"Government of Indonesia obviously feels safer dealing with a press fail in Jakarta than risk fully exposing security forces' endless brutality in West Papua."

PFF is calling for efforts to "redouble" support for press freedom in West Papua.

"Foreign press unable to get into West Papua should instead focus beyond national borders to include the many foreign investors in Indonesia."

Fist for freedom – a Papua press campaigner, Victor Mambor, pictured in front of a free press poster.  Image / Twitter

In recent days, weeks and months, PFF notes Indonesia;

> arresting of hundreds of people in West Papua, and assaults on dozens, including journalists,

> entering its five yearly Universal Periodic Review at the United Nations Human Rights Council, due by 12th May,

> BPS, the central statistics agency, reporting that West Papua is still at the bottom of HDI rankings on the national Human Development Index - despite domestic and foreign owned companies reaping billions from the two eastern provinces each year,

> blocking of at least eight legitimate news sites, and,

> continuing to fail at arresting, charging and prosecuting security forces who arbitrarily detained and assaulted thousands of West Papua protestors exercising their right to freedom of expression.

Since WPFD last year, there has been strong support from Pacific Island states for a United Nations rapporteur on Freedom of Expression to look into abuses in West Papua.

Reflecting on the official WPFD theme of 'critical minds for critical times', Miller commented that "Indonesia is just one example of a critical time for press freedoms, and critical minds must think global and act local."

Bright point

Outside of West Papua, PFF Co-Chair Alexander Rheeney says that a bright point was the announcement on World Press Freedom Day of a media ombudsman in the Solomon Islands.

"We are excited that the Solomon Islands has taken up a concept PFF raised in 2013 and has started to put that idea into action.

"There will of course be challenges for any media ombudsman but our hope is that news media report on steps to ensure such an appointment is made independently."

In that respect, PFF also welcomes the selection of an independent board for a media council in Samoa.

"Board members have yet to meet their first ethics test, but the first step taken by Samoa proves government is, so far, keeping it's hands off."

Suspension, shut down threats

Showing ups and downs across the region, Tonga improved in global rankings but has ended the press freedom year with a reported suspension from the public broadcaster, amidst threats to shut it down completely.

“The government of Tonga needs to keep reminding itself that criticism is not a controversy, and that not all criticism needs to be constructive to qualify as free speech."

Short wave bye

Undoubted low point for regional press freedom was the scrapping of shortwave services from Radio Australia.

“Australian Broadcasting Corporation appeared to have forgotten its own promise to improve engagement with the Pacific region," says Rheeney.

PFF has gained more than 1,000 signatures in support of restoring short wave, including from leading politicians, officials and private sector managers.

“It is to be hoped that public hearings into restoring shortwave broadcasting are met with support in parliament.”

“If not, Australia again needs reminding by the international community to remember its own backyard.”

Contempt

Another Australian low point was blocking of Papua New Guinea media from asking questions at prime ministerial press conferences.

“This shows contempt for the role of a free press.”

Troubling law changes in Australia and New Zealand open up domestic surveillance laws to include journalists, says Rheeney, as well as punitive measures against whistleblowers.

“As regional leaders, both countries are taking increasingly hostile actions against news media and the rights of citizens to access information.”

Next 12 months

For years, Rheeney says that PFF members have warned about a crisis in journalism, and now global press freedom surveys have finally begun to admit that's not just a third world problem.

Over the next 12 months, PFF remains focused on the region's leading issue, freedom of expression within West Papua.

Other initiatives include continued consultation on media freedom, and ethics, across the Pacific Islands region.

NOTE :

PFF publishes it's statements from the dateline of original registration, in the Cook Islands, one of the last places in the world to celebrate World Press Freedom Day, followed by Niue, and, the very last, American Samoa.

NEXT :

Sign PFF petition to restore ABC shortwave - 5th May 2017 deadline
https://www.change.org/p/abc-chair-hon-james-spigelman-save-lifesaving-shortwave-radio-to-the-pacific

WPFD HEADLINES :

Indonesia is double dealing on media freedom - RSF
http://asiapacificreport.nz/2017/05/03/indonesia-is-double-dealing-on-media-freedom-says-rsf/

No talk of Papua at press freedom day
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2017/05/03/no-talk-of-papua-at-press-freedom-day.html

Violence against Indonesian journalists remains worrying
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2017/05/03/violence-against-indonesian-journalists-remains-worrying-aji.html

Jakarta urged to ensure against journo attacks
http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/329850/jakarta-urged-to-ensure-against-journo-attacks

Indonesia under pressure during universal periodic review and world press freedom day
https://www.freewestpapua.org/2017/05/03/indonesia-under-pressure-during-universal-periodic-review-and-world-press-freedom-day-over-record-in-west-papua/

Media Freedom critical for Human Rights struggle in West Papua - PANG
http://www.pina.com.fj/?p=pacnews&m=read&o=314963637590931712737082a01f66

Human Development Indicators for Papua https://en.tempo.co/read/news/2017/04/18/056867174/BPS-Human-Development-Gap-Still-Exists

In 'post truth' era, leaders must defend objective, independent media, UN says on Press Freedom Day
http://www.pina.com.fj/?p=pacnews&m=read&o=756553951590a4c50dda925289c1b0

CONTACTS

Monica Miller
PFF Chair
News Director
South Seas Broadcasting
American Samoa
monica@southseasbroadcasting.com
+6842584197

Alexander Rheeney
PFF Co-Chair
President Media Council PNG
Papua New Guinea
alexander.rheeney@outlook.com
+67578045266

Bernadette H. Carreon
PFF Co-Chair
Palau Correspondent
Guam Business
carreon.bernadette@gmail.com
+680779430

Netani Rika
PFF Coordinator
Communications Director
Pacific Council of Churches
Fiji
netrika66@gmail.com

ABOUT PFF

The Pacific Freedom Forum is 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 Framework for Pacific Regionalism 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.

. . .