Pacific Media Watch

21 October 2012

PNG: Media Council criticised for lack of action over assault on reporter

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PORT MORESBY (Radio NZ International / Pacific Media Watch): A group representing journalists in Papua New Guinea has raised concerns at the lack of action from the PNG Media Council after an attack on a reporter last weekend.

The Post-Courier newspaper’s reporter in Kundiawa, Michael Koma, says he and his wife were assaulted on Saturday over a story he wrote on the appointment of public servants.

The public officer for the PNG Media Workers Association, Titi Gabi, says her group condemns assaults on colleagues who are doing what they are paid to do.

But she says the PNG Media Council, which should be protecting journalists and ensuring they comply with the code of ethics, should be speaking out.

Gabi says it has been "invisible" for nearly two years.


“The Media Council, whose role this is, is to also make sure there is a proper complaints process for the public - is just not there. So something happens and we call for the Media Council - we don’t get a response from them, and it is really frustrating for us as well.”

- The PNG Media Workers Association’s Titi Gabi.

 

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