The Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) says it is concerned at reports of increasing pressure, intimidation, and restrictions placed on journalists in Papua New Guinea who are carrying out their duty of informing the public and holding power to account.
And the regional media body says it stands in full solidarity with the Media Council of Papua New Guinea (MCPNG) in raising serious concerns about the growing suppression of journalists and media freedom in PNG..
As the regional representative body for Pacific media, PINA is concerned with reports of increasing pressure, intimidation, and restrictions placed on journalists in PNG who are carrying out their duty of informing the public and holding power to account,” PINA President Kalafi Moala of Tonga said.
“Any attempts to stifle the press — whether through threats, denial of access, or censorship — are direct attacks on the democratic values that our region upholds,” Moala added.
“We are deeply disturbed by the reported cases of suspensions, terminations, and ongoing intimidation of journalists working within state-owned media organisations, FM100 and EMTV — both subsidiaries of Telikom PNG Limited.
“These actions, including the termination of FM100’s Culligan Tanda and former EMTV journalist James Guken for simply doing their jobs, represent a dangerous erosion of press freedom and the democratic values we all strive to uphold in the Pacific.
“As well, the experiences shared by MCPNG President and PINA Board Member, Neville Choi, including his own dismissal in 2019 and the termination of 24 newsroom staff in 2022 following a protest against harassment, paint a clear and troubling picture of systemic efforts to silence dissenting voices in the media.”
Moola commends MCPNG for its courage in speaking out against these troubling developments and reiterates the fundamental principle that a free, independent, and vibrant media is a cornerstone of any democratic society.
“Journalists must be allowed to operate without fear or interference, especially in matters of public interest.
To all Pacific governments, PINA issues this reminder: press freedom is a shared regional value that supports transparency, good governance, and the public’s right to know.
“We urge our leaders across the Pacific to protect journalists, to uphold the independence of media institutions, and to create environments where the media can carry out its public duty without fear or interference.
“PINA stands in solidarity with our colleagues in Papua New Guinea and across the region.
“We remain committed to defending the rights, safety, and independence of all Pacific media professionals.”