HONIARA (Solomon Star/Pacific Media Watch): The Media Association of Solomon Islands (MASI) has denounced a SB$75,000 compensation demand on the Island Sun newspaper by supporters of West Honiara Member of Parliament Namson Tran last Thursday.
The supporters were reportedly angered by a front-page story and picture published in the newspaper which quoted chairman of the Public Accounts Committee Mathew Wale labeling Tran as a “criminal”.
In a statement yesterday, MASI said harassing journalists and media organisations [by] such a method was inappropriate and disrespectful to media freedom in the Solomon Islands.
The statement said there were appropriate ways of settling disagreements on issues including media complaints and one best approach is to take up legal action in the courts.
MASI said any direct or indirect threat on journalists and the media is an undemocratic act in itself and people should take note of that.
The statement said the report was simply what was said during the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) hearing, which was also broadcasted live on radio and television.
Meanwhile, MASI has encouraged its members not to be intimidated by such actions and to continue to inform the people of the Solomon Islands of what is going on in government.
MASI is an organisation that speaks on interests and issues affecting the local media in Solomon Islands.
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Island Sun report on September 22
Pacific Media Watch
