RAROTONGA, Cook Islands (Kiribati Independent / Pacific Media Watch): News that the Kiribati Independent newspaper at the centre of a police investigation has stopped printing means fewer ways for people to stay informed, says a media watchdog.
Auckland-based Kiribati Independent publisher and editor Taberannang Korauaba will retain the online edition of the Independent but has stopped print circulation in Kiribati while police follow up on complaints linking to the newspaper's registration status.
Pacific Freedom Forum (PFF) co-chair Titi Gabi of Papua New Guinea said: "The loss of their fortnightly news in print is a blow for readers in Kiribati who don’t have online access, and their leaders need to tell them why a government which has been sitting on media paperwork since last year, has suddenly been able to act so quickly to lay a complaint linked to that paperwork.
"Whose interest is being served here? Without a free media to give them answers, the public lose their right to know. "
"PFF reiterates concern over any political motivations behind the processing delays for the registration paperwork and hope the police will help to quickly and fairly resolve the issue."
PFF co-chair Monica Miller said given that the current police complaints stem from a lack of progress on a bureaucratic issue, Kiribati's media-savvy President should take the lead.
"Kiribati gave the Pacific the Biketawa principles on good governance, and a President who has taken the message to the world on sinking islands and climate change," she said.
“As someone who uses media powerfully to talk about his people, we urge President Tong to uphold Biketawa's promise and give Kiribati the same free media he enjoys globally."
PFF statement on Kiribati Independent
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