Pacific Media Watch

30 August 2011

VANUATU: Cabinet minister accused of trying to intimidate media - again

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Evelyn Toa ... protest over minister's "intimidation" of newspaper vendor. Photo: PMC
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7597

PORT VILA (Radio NZ International/Pacific Media Watch): The Media Association of Vanuatu says the Minister of ni-Vanuatu Business, Pastor Don Ken, is again trying to intimidate journalists for reporting on his alleged public drunkenness, Radio NZI reports.

Pastor Ken was arrested at the end of last month and faces charges of abusive language, obstruction, and drunk and disorderly behaviour.

There had been reports at the time of the offences he had tried to discourage the public broadcaster from carrying the story about his behaviour and now the Media Association’s president, Evelyne Toa, says he has been abusive towards the media for a second time.

She says at the weekend Pastor Ken allegedly intimidated a paper seller before stealing a newspaper off him.

The Independent newspaper ran an article about him on the front page about all the charges laid against him following his recent arrest by the police.”

Evelyne Toa says the Media Association cannot accept such behaviour and says Pastor Don Ken has to be held responsible for his actions.

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Pacific Media Watch

PMC's media monitoring service

Pacific Media Watch is compiled for the Pacific Media Centre as a regional media freedom and educational resource by a network of journalists, students, stringers and commentators. (cc) Creative Commons

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