CoveragePost
May 20, 2026
By Johnny Blades, RNZ Pacific senior journalist A new law in Papua New Guinea, requiring a political parties to meet a quota for fielding women candidates, is being described as a step in the right direction, but maybe not far enough. The new elections rule that women must make up 10 percent of parties’ endorsed ... <a title="New bid to tackle Papua New Guinea’s chronic lack of women MPs" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/05/20/new-bid-to-tackle-papua-new-guineas-chronic-lack-of-women-mps/" aria-label="Read more about New bid to tackle Papua New Guinea’s chronic lack of women MPs">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
May 5, 2026
By Khalia Strong of PMN News Fiji has shot up the world rankings for press freedom but the victory feels hollow as journalists across the Pacific face a wave of court battles, police raids, and vicious online abuse. The 2026 World Press Freedom Index, released last Thursday by Reporters Without Borders, shows Fiji climbing to ... <a title="Fiji’s media win in World Press Freedom Index overshadowed by threats and court summons" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/05/05/fijis-media-win-in-world-press-freedom-index-overshadowed-by-threats-and-court-summons/" aria-label="Read more about Fiji’s media win in World Press Freedom Index overshadowed by threats and court summons">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
May 4, 2026
By Stefan Armbruster of Pasifika TV Fiji has recorded a dramatic jump in its media freedom rating to be in the top 25 nations globally while Samoan government press restrictions have seen its rating plummet in the latest World Press Freedom Index. Advocacy group Reporters Sans Frontières (RSF) said globally it was the first time ... <a title="Fiji jumps, Samoa plunges in World Press Freedom Index" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/05/04/fiji-jumps-samoa-plunges-in-world-press-freedom-index/" aria-label="Read more about Fiji jumps, Samoa plunges in World Press Freedom Index">Read more</a>
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
April 27, 2026
By Johnny Blades, RNZ Pacific bulletin editor A Papua New Guinea National Court ruling to overturn a ban on Starlink has been widely welcomed, fresh off the back of a natural disaster which highlighted the need for low-orbit satellite services in the country. Last December, the National Information and Communications Technology Authority (NICTA) announced that ... <a title="Starlink set to return to PNG after court quashes ban, clearing path" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/04/27/starlink-set-to-return-to-png-after-court-quashes-ban-clearing-path/" aria-label="Read more about Starlink set to return to PNG after court quashes ban, clearing path">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
April 16, 2026
MetService meteorologist John Law told RNZ Checkpoint the first impacts of the system could be felt on Saturday morning with large swells for north-eastern areas. “This is a multi-hazard area of low pressure that runs down. You can imagine that these strong winds rushing over the seas help to drive large swells across the open ... <a title="Cyclone Vaianu: First impacts could be felt Saturday amid severe NZ warnings" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/04/16/cyclone-vaianu-first-impacts-could-be-felt-saturday-amid-severe-nz-warnings/" aria-label="Read more about Cyclone Vaianu: First impacts could be felt Saturday amid severe NZ warnings">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
April 16, 2026
RNZ Pacific Ten people have died in a landslide in Gazelle district in Papua New Guinea’s East New Britain Province following continuous heavy rain, according to local news media reports. The disaster occurred after the Toriu River burst its banks after intense rainfall and severe weather conditions experienced across the region over the past few ... <a title="Deadly landslide claims 10 lives in PNG’s East New Britain, reports local media" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/04/16/deadly-landslide-claims-10-lives-in-pngs-east-new-britain-reports-local-media/" aria-label="Read more about Deadly landslide claims 10 lives in PNG’s East New Britain, reports local media">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
April 13, 2026
RNZ Pacific Cyclone Maila has been downgraded to a tropical low but has caused widespread damage in Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. Ten people were reported dead in the autonomous Papua New Guinea region of Bougainville, including eight people killed in a landslide. The incident happened at Asiko Village in Kongara constituency in Central ... <a title="Ten dead in Bougainville amid Cyclone Maila aftermath" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/04/13/ten-dead-in-bougainville-amid-cyclone-maila-aftermath/" aria-label="Read more about Ten dead in Bougainville amid Cyclone Maila aftermath">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
April 10, 2026
MetService meteorologist John Law told RNZ Checkpoint the first impacts of the system could be felt on Saturday morning with large swells for north-eastern areas. “This is a multi-hazard area of low pressure that runs down. You can imagine that these strong winds rushing over the seas help to drive large swells across the open ... <a title="Cyclone Vaianu: First impacts could be felt Saturday amid NZ warnings" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/04/10/cyclone-vaianu-first-impacts-could-be-felt-saturday-amid-nz-warnings/" aria-label="Read more about Cyclone Vaianu: First impacts could be felt Saturday amid NZ warnings">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
April 9, 2026
By Johnny Blades, RNZ Pacific bulletin editor Papua New Guinea’s Defence Minister Dr Billy Joseph has stepped aside to allow investigations into allegations he interfered with army recruitment. Prime Minister James Marape said he would assume the defence portfolio while an independent probe into PNG Defence Force recruitment irregularities proceeded. A media release from Marape ... <a title="PNG defence minister steps aside amid army recruitment controversy" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/04/09/png-defence-minister-steps-aside-amid-army-recruitment-controversy/" aria-label="Read more about PNG defence minister steps aside amid army recruitment controversy">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>
