HONIARA: The Media Association of Solomon Islands (MASI) has joined the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) to denounce last week’s physical assault on Vanuatu publisher Marc Neil Jones, allegedly involving a government minister.
MASI president George Herming has issued a statement today expressing concern that the action of the minister was a violation of the democratic principle of media freedom.
MASI understands that the attack was in relation to a newspaper revelation that the minister was involved in suspicious dealings.
Herming said it was unfortunate that a government minister decided to take the law into his own hands to attack the publisher while disregarding appropriate ways of settling disputes.
He added that this is the second time that Neil-Jones has been attacked and the latest incident brings the safety and security of Vanuatu media practitioners into question.
Herming said Vanuatu is a democratic society and there are appropriate mechanisms in place to uphold the rule of law to protect the integrity and rights of individuals.
Meanwhile, Herming has congratulated PINA and the Media Association of Vanuatu for plans to discuss the issue with Vanuatu Prime Minister Sato Kilman to ensure the safety of journalists in Vanuatu is not compromised. - Solomon Star/Pacific Media Watch
Pacific Media Watch
