Mickey Kaveri
PORT MORESBY (EMTV / Radio New Zealand International / Pacific Media Watch): The Papua New Guinean Opposition is concerned with how freedom of expression continues to be suppressed in the country.
Their concern comes after police banned them from staging a public forum earlier this week.
In response, Opposition Leader Don Polye summoned Police Commissioner Gari Baki to his office to clarify the issue.
Polye called on the police not to continue suppressing freedom of expression.
“The Opposition will not tire, will not waver in our pursuit to making sure that human rights are upheld, our people’s right to expressing themselves is not surpassed in any form”, he said.
“That’s why the opposition did organise a formal forum at Jack Pidik Park to ensure every Papua New Guinean that comes in and to share their views and express themselves”.
Polye said they had discussed alternative venues to hold the forum with the Commissioner Baki and they had come to a mutual understanding on the functions and duties of the police as outlined in the constitution.
Police reasons
The Police Commissioner defended his decision and is concerned that unrest will eventuate should the forum be allowed to take place in public.
“In an open [place] like Jack Pidik Park, you’re inviting all kinds of people to sit down and listen, and the chances are 99 percent out of 100, there will be something else happening in there.”
He said there was limited manpower to maintain crowd control and that the forum was best held in a confined venue.
The forum was aimed at informing the public on the policies of the opposition as the alternative government, and to discuss other issues such as the budget and the drought.
The Opposition understands the reasons of the ban and will work with the police to coordinate future forums.
Media bill
In another case of potential suppression of freedom of expression, the head of the Papua New Guinea communications authority has issued an assurance that planned tighter controls on social media will not limit media freedom.
The legislation governing the National Information Communciation and Technology Authority (NICTA) is to be amended next year.
There has been strong criticism of the move throughout the country, including from former Prime Minister Sir Mekere Morauta.
He is calling the bill call an attack on freedom of speech and an attempt to regulate mainstream media by stealth.
But Radio new Zealand International reported NICTA's chief executive Charles Punaha said the changes were about combatting cyber crime and there were measures to stop abuses.
"The processes will be in place and in the event that an offence has been committed, the victim needs to go through this process; to go through the courts, get warrants and go through the courts and the courts will make a determination.
“It is not for any one person or anyone to utilise for suppressing an individual's right to freedom of expression or freedom of speech."
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Pacific Media Watch
