CoveragePost
May 4, 2026
RNZ Pacific Fiji has recorded the biggest improvement in the Pacific in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index, rising to 24th out of 180 countries. The index has been compiled and published by global media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) since 2002. Papua New Guinea moved up slightly on the index to 73rd. But Samoa ... <a title="Fiji climbs to 24th in World Press Freedom Index, biggest gain in the Pacific" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/05/04/fiji-climbs-to-24th-in-world-press-freedom-index-biggest-gain-in-the-pacific/" aria-label="Read more about Fiji climbs to 24th in World Press Freedom Index, biggest gain in the Pacific">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
May 4, 2026
Fijian Media Association Three years after the lifting of draconian media laws under which Fiji’s media industry operated, and even with significant improvements in the country’s media freedom rankings, the gains from the return of media freedom remain tenuous. This World Press Freedom Day, the Fijian Media Association is heartened by the country’s remarkable progress ... <a title="FMA praises Fiji media workers for press freedom climb but warns it is ‘tenuous’" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/05/04/fma-praises-fiji-media-workers-for-press-freedom-climb-but-warns-it-is-tenuous/" aria-label="Read more about FMA praises Fiji media workers for press freedom climb but warns it is ‘tenuous’">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
May 4, 2026
By Anish Chand in Suva Fiji’s rise in the latest global press freedom rankings is being credited to improved media conditions following key political and legal reforms in recent years. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) says the country’s jump to 24th place in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index reflects a shift in the media environment ... <a title="Political reforms drive Fiji’s big press freedom gains, says RSF" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/05/04/political-reforms-drive-fijis-big-press-freedom-gains-says-rsf/" aria-label="Read more about Political reforms drive Fiji’s big press freedom gains, says RSF">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
April 26, 2026
As World Press Freedom Day rapidly approaches and Reporters Without Borders has condemned the Israeli government for its massacre of journalists in Lebanon and Palestine, New Zealand journalist David Robie reflects in a speech at Te Komititanga Square today. MEDIA FREEDOM: By David Robie In a week’s time next Sunday, it is World Press Freedom ... <a title="Israel’s diabolical killing machine and how it targets journalists" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/04/26/israels-diabolical-killing-machine-and-how-it-targets-journalists/" aria-label="Read more about Israel’s diabolical killing machine and how it targets journalists">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
April 24, 2026
By Jeremy Loffredo of Drop Site News Prominent Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil has been killed in what appeared to be a targeted attack by the Israeli military in the town of Tyre in southern Lebanon. Her employer, Al-Akhbar, confirmed the death of their correspondent on Wednesday evening. Khalil and Zeinab Faraj, a freelance photojournalist, were ... <a title="Targeted Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil bombed and left to die by Israel" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/04/24/targeted-lebanese-journalist-amal-khalil-bombed-and-left-to-die-by-israel/" aria-label="Read more about Targeted Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil bombed and left to die by Israel">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
April 18, 2026
COMMENTARY: By Owen Jones Britain’s Daily Telegraph is being acquired by a German-based media giant — and now its journalists are formally expected to support Israel. The Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy, has cleared the takeover by Axel Springer SE. Its CEO, Mathias Döpfner, has written to Telegraph staff “outlining his commitment” to the paper. An ... <a title="Owen Jones: At The Telegraph, journalist support for Israel is now mandatory" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/04/18/owen-jones-at-the-telegraph-journalist-support-for-israel-is-now-mandatory/" aria-label="Read more about Owen Jones: At The Telegraph, journalist support for Israel is now mandatory">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 30, 2026
By Cheerieann Wilson in Suva Public trust in Fiji’s mainstream media has significantly declined, a journalism academic has told the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, citing decades of political upheaval, censorship and institutional pressure. At its third expert hearing in Suva, the commission heard from University of the South Pacific’s associate professor of journalism Shailendra Singh, ... <a title="USP academic calls for better press freedom protections in face of Fiji’s declining media trust" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/30/usp-academic-calls-for-better-press-freedom-protections-in-face-of-fijis-declining-media-trust/" aria-label="Read more about USP academic calls for better press freedom protections in face of Fiji’s declining media trust">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 30, 2026
In the ongoing United States and Israel war on Iran, it appears that all the countries agree on “controlling” the media. Despite differences in their political systems, all three governments follow an approach that prioritises “national morale” and “operational security” over press freedom and the flow of information. This approach redefines the concept of fake ... <a title="How the US, Israel and Iran are controlling their media narratives" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/30/how-the-us-israel-and-iran-are-controlling-their-media-narratives/" aria-label="Read more about How the US, Israel and Iran are controlling their media narratives">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 26, 2026
RNZ Pacific Tributes are pouring in from across the region for “fearless” and “formidable” Vanuatu journalist Dan McGarry, who died on Wednesday. McGarry, 62, fell ill after a trip to Papua New Guinea earlier this month, from where he had to be evacuated to Brisbane to undergo a heart bypass. But he faced complications during ... <a title="‘He will never be replaced’ – tributes flow for ‘fearless’ Vanuatu journalist Dan McGarry" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/26/he-will-never-be-replaced-tributes-flow-for-fearless-vanuatu-journalist-dan-mcgarry/" aria-label="Read more about ‘He will never be replaced’ – tributes flow for ‘fearless’ Vanuatu journalist Dan McGarry">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 20, 2026
SPECIAL REPORT: Reporters Without Borders Since the Solomon Islands established diplomatic relations with China in 2019, the Pacific country has become a strategic arena for Beijing’s influence. By capitalising on the economic fragility of the local media sector, China has stepped up conditional funding, editorial partnerships and influence programmes to disseminate its narratives. Reporters Without ... <a title="China’s growing grip on the fragile Solomon Islands media sector" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/20/chinas-growing-grip-on-the-fragile-solomon-islands-media-sector/" aria-label="Read more about China’s growing grip on the fragile Solomon Islands media sector">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 18, 2026
Pacific Media Watch The United Nations in Papua New Guinea has met the leadership of the Media Council of PNG to advance collaboration in support of a strong, independent and responsible media sector, reports UNPNG. The meeting addressed recent incidents of threats and violence against journalists — especially attacks against women journalists and the growing ... <a title="MCPNG and UN hold media freedom talks in wake of attacks on women journalists" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/18/mcpng-and-un-hold-media-freedom-talks-in-wake-of-attacks-on-women-journalists/" aria-label="Read more about MCPNG and UN hold media freedom talks in wake of attacks on women journalists">Read more</a>
