Pacific Media Watch Newsdesk

The village of Baliau on Papua New Guinea’s Manam island has publicly apologised to an assaulted journalist reporting for The National daily newspaper and praised media coverage in the wake of

.

Henry Konaka, chair of the Manam Development Association, said in a social media statement on behalf of the Baliau villagers and the village kukurai (leader), Casper Kauke, it was an “unfortunate and deplorable act of physical violence” on reporter Dorothy Mark and the media team.

He added that the “perpetrators” had been handed over to the police less than 24 hours later.

The assault has stirred protests from media freedom groups across the Pacific.

Konaka also condemned the neglect of the Manam islanders, many who live in refugee camps on the mainland in poverty since an evacuation after an eruption in 2004.

Konaka’s full apology:

“I extend on behalf of the people of Baliau village and the village kukurai, Casper Kauke, apology on the unfortunate and deplorable act of physical assault on Ms Dorothy Mark and the media team.

“We understand the fear and trauma Ms Mark and the rest of the media team have endured and we deeply regret. We the Baliau people assure 110 percent safety of Ms Mark and the rest of the media entourage.

“The kukurai regrets the incident which happened without his consent and knowledge. In assuring the entourage’s safety, the chief will be hosting a reconciliation as soon as possible and customarily apologise to Ms Mark and the affected entourage.

“The perpetrators had been handed over to the police less than 24 hours after the incident. A conciliatory meeting was held between the parties led by Acting Yabu LLG President Kenny Boli with police where compensatory agreement reached. A reconciliation ceremony is planned for within the next two weeks.

“With the gravest heart I had extended our profound sorrow and apology with shame and regret to Ms Mark, the husband (Peter Gupuri Mase), Ms Mark’s children, the extended family including the wider media community on the deplorable act of my frustrated people of Baliau. We deplore these acts in the strongest term possible, orchestrated and venged (sic) by a small minority.

“It is regrettable that our people have venged their frustrations and anger on an innocent party, least of which, the media fraternity and more particularly a woman. The Manam people are so indebted to the media fraternity on the news coverage of our continuing plight and despair. We value and hold the media fraternity with the highest regard.

“We hope that the government accepts responsibility on such an unfortunate incident due to its continuing neglect of our plight. The people of Manam had been demanding permanent and lasting solution to our plight and have agree to resettlement. However, no progress had been made since the enactment of the Manam Resettlement Authority (MRA) Act in April 2016.

“With regret to the assault, leaders and people of Baliau will continue to express their frustrations to government by not accept relief supplies including attempts to move to temporary care centres unless a permanent resettlement area is identified and allocated.

” feel for my people of Manam and on our continuing plight. I am prepared and happy to accept all ridicule and criticism on behalf of my people of Baliau and the wider Manam community.

“God bless you all.

Henry Konaka
Chairman
Manam Peoples’s Sustainable Development Association

A Manam islander trying to breathe surrounded by ash. Image: James Tuguru/The PNG News Page

Pacific Media Watch Newsdesk

Some villagers affected by the volcanic eruption on Manam island haven taken out their anger and frustration against four journalists covering the disaster, triggering protests by media freedom groups in the Pacific.

The reporters had entered Baliau village after visiting other affected villages and were questioned on the purpose of their visit, reports The National daily newspaper.

Villager Peter Sukua asked them why they were there and why they arrived one day after Saturday’s volcanic eruption.

He said the villagers would rather see Madang Governor Peter Yama and Bogia MP Robert Naguri.

The National reporter, Dorothy Mark, said she was stopped by Sukua taking pictures and punched in the face and threatened that her camera would be thrown into the sea.

“While I sat face down and spitting blood, they kicked me until some people intervened and stopped them,” she said.

The journalists were rescued by ward councillor for Dugulava village Paul Maburau and walked for one hour through a bush track.

They arrived at the Bieng Catholic station where they arranged for transportation to Bogia.

Sukua and others were later taken away by police.

Pacific groups condemn
The Suva-based Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) condemned the attack in a statement.

President Kora Nou, who is also the managing director of PNG’s National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), said he was “appalled and disappointed” by the attack and called for prosecution of those responsible.

The Auckland-based Pacific Media Centre called for strong action over the assault, saying the reporters were providing critical and important information in the public interest at a time of crisis.

The Rarotonga-based Pacific Freedom Forum also condemned the attack.

By Scott Waide in Lae

Madang Governor Peter Yama confirmed today that at least two Papua New Guinea Defence Force vessels were being sent to conduct emergency evacuations from Manam Island following the volcanic eruption yesterday.

“The Prime Minister has been very supportive since the he was informed,” the Madang governor said.

Yama was in Port Moresby to mobilise additional support from the national government.

READ MORE: PNG volcano erupts, forcing villagers to flee

“A platoon from the Engineering Battalion is traveling to Madang. HMS Dreger and Port Moresby have been allocated for the evacuation operation. Two officers from the PNGDF Headquarters are traveling to Madang to assist the Provincial Administrator.”

Government officers from Bogia district in Madang were deployed to Manam early yesterday after the volcano erupted.

The Acting Provincial Administrator, John Bivi, said his officers had been in close contact with village elders since the eruption.

“This eruption is different. There are two craters that have erupted and lava flow has happened. This is problematic.,” he said.

Houses collapsed
Manam Islander James Sukua, who contacted his family yesterday, said several trees and at least two houses had collapsed during the heavy ash fall.

At least two houses along the path of the lava flow were destroyed.

“Rain and ash fell in the morning in places like Baliau, Bien Station and Kuluguma. No casualties [were] reported.”

The Rabaul Volcano observatory reported that the ash column rose 15 km from the volcano.

The observatory also warned pilots to stay clear of the Manam airspace over the next 12 hours.

“Additional volcanic activity is possible in the coming days. Individuals planning to travel to Manam are advised to avoid the areas affected and to wear respiratory gear and covering clothing.”

About 2000 people live on the island.

Scott Waide is chief of the EMTV News bureau in Lae. This article was first published on his blog My Land, My Country and is republished by Asia Pacific Report with permission.

Pacific Media Centre Newsdesk

Manam volcano in Papua New Guinea has erupted again, reports journalist Scott Waide on his blog.

This is his blog’s picture of the eruption early today.

Islanders reported that ash and other debris from the eruption was so thick that sunlight had been totally blocked for a few hours, Waide said.

Manam islander Mina Kamboanga said the villagers were forced to use lights to get around.

Loop PNG reports Peter Sukua, a local community leader from Baliau village on Manam island, said the volcano had spewed ashes and lava.

He said more than 2000 islanders were in shock over the eruption and were evacuating the island.

Sukua called on the Disaster Authority in Madang to respond quickly.

Manam volcano is located 13 km off the northern coast of Papua New Guinea near Bogia town and is one of PNG’s most active.

A pyroclastic flow at the volcano on 3 December 1996 killed 13 people in the village of Budua.