TARAWA (Radio NZ International / Pacific Media Watch): A Kiribati parliamentarian says a Radio Kiribati journalist misreported an incident involving a school girl who was arrested for underage drinking.
Alexander Teabo said elders of Butaritari, who were upset by the story, advised him to take the issue up with government.
He said he moved a motion in Parliament asking the government to liaise with the broadcaster and to publish news that was accurate and factual.
“The story was not very true because the incident the reporter has said the young girl, from Butaritari, went out drinking with the Korean crew. That’s not the real story because the incident happened before the arrival of the Korean vessel.”
Radio Kiribati said the journalist, Rikamati Naare, wrote the story based on information conveyed by the officer in charge of the local police station.
It said Naare was given unspecified punishment but was not suspended.
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Pacific Media Watch
