Three TV journalists marginalized for criticizing PM

Reporters Without Borders condemns abuses against three respected state journalists NBC （NBC) because, according to The Courier-Mail and other local newspapers, the government considered the criticism of the prime minister “biased” and reflected “opposition views”.NBCReporters Without Borders said: “The prime minister’s statement on alleged ‘violations of NBC editorial policy guidelines and failure to comply with instructions’ will put pressure on the media to self-censor, as will the prime minister’s personal warning to media outlets that publish ‘false or defamatory reports against the government.'” NBC Following orders so easily is a clear violation of the principle of editorial independence. The journalists were effectively fired, exposing the fragility of public media independence and freedom of information. “Journalists must be able to work without fear of losing their jobs or being sued. Otherwise, self-censorship could spread. These three journalists must be reinstated in their positions.” NBC Prime Minister Peter O’Neill’s government opposes NBCReports of alleged corruption cases involving the government, and the recent controversial nationalisation of the Ok Tedi mine, which is 37% owned by the state and 63% by the charity Papua New Guinea Sustainable Development Programme (PNGSDP). PNGSDP was established in 2001 when mine owner BHP Billiton relinquished ownership to avoid paying compensation for an unprecedented environmental pollution incident in 1984, when tonnes of toxic waste were dumped in the Fly River. Much of PNGSDP’s revenue went to helping victims of the disaster. As a result of the nationalisation, former Prime Minister Mekere Morauta was removed as chairman.
Mark DavisAn Australian journalist who was previously communications director for the Papua New Guinea Democratic Party was ordered to return to Australia yesterday. He blamed his expulsion on a press release in which he criticised Prime Minister O’Neill.
Michael Assagoni, NBC Broadcast News Editing, and Dick Solariba and Start Robbieexecutive producer and NBC Television Kundu 2was relieved of his duties on November 1 and assigned to NBCArchives Department. Meanwhile, two other senior journalists, Jerry Ginua and Wesley Manuetwas summoned for questioning. Pacific Media Watch The ongoing incident is all the more worrying because of other disturbing incidents that have hit the country’s media. australian news agency （American AP Association) closed its office in Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea, on November 1, ending 60 years of business in the country. American AP Association Fiji said the decision was made because the bureau chief, one of the few foreign journalists still based in Papua New Guinea, had not paid fees. Meanwhile, the government is reportedly drafting a bill to restrict the presence of foreign media in Papua New Guinea. Like Fiji’s existing Media Industry Development Act, the bill would require majority ownership of news outlets to be state-owned, although whether that requirement would be limited to television stations remains to be seen. Media outlets that could be affected due to foreign ownership include EMTVTwo daily newspapers, The Courier-Mail (Australia) and Nationwide (Malaysia) and three radio stations, Beidou FM, Yumi FM and Legend FM Bikpura (Fiji).