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Media Freedom

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‘I feel vindicated’ – Vanuatu Daily Post in landmark work permit win

March 31, 2023

Vanuatu’s Supreme Court has ruled in favour of Trading Post Ltd, the owner of the Vanuatu Daily Post newspaper, BUZZ FM96 and other media outlets, in a case against the government’s refusal to renew the company’s former media director’s work permit. Dan McGarry, who served as a director of the company when he had his ... <a title="‘I feel vindicated’ – Vanuatu Daily Post in landmark work permit win" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/03/31/i-feel-vindicated-vanuatu-daily-post-in-landmark-work-permit-win/" aria-label="Read more about ‘I feel vindicated’ – Vanuatu Daily Post in landmark work permit win">Read more</a>

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Today FM hosts abruptly taken off air and told ‘play music’ in radio shock

March 30, 2023

RNZ News The Mediaworks’ radio station Today FM abandoned scheduling today when presenters broke from programming to question the future of their employer. Broadcasters told their audience they were going off air and had been instructed to play music. Today FM hosts Duncan Garner and Tova O’Brien told listeners before 9am the station and staff ... <a title="Today FM hosts abruptly taken off air and told ‘play music’ in radio shock" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/03/30/today-fm-hosts-abruptly-taken-off-air-and-told-play-music-in-radio-shock/" aria-label="Read more about Today FM hosts abruptly taken off air and told ‘play music’ in radio shock">Read more</a>

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PNG’s Masiu denies ‘control of media’ but calls for ‘accountability’

March 29, 2023

By Gorethy Kenneth in Port Moresby Communication Minister Timothy Masiu has hit back at recent reports termed as “inaccurate” over the control of media in Papua New Guinea from his ministerial statement in Parliament. He said it was not true that the government was trying to control the media by setting up a Media Council. ... <a title="PNG’s Masiu denies ‘control of media’ but calls for ‘accountability’" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/03/29/pngs-masiu-denies-control-of-media-but-calls-for-accountability/" aria-label="Read more about PNG’s Masiu denies ‘control of media’ but calls for ‘accountability’">Read more</a>

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Fiji to scrap ‘dead in water’ media law with pledge to back independent journalism

March 29, 2023

By Kelvin Anthony, RNZ Pacific lead digital and social media journalist The Fiji government has announced it will repeal the controversial Media Industry Development Act 2010. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said cabinet had approved the tabling of a bill to repeal the Act “as a whole.” “The decision is pursuant to the People’s Coalition Government’s ... <a title="Fiji to scrap ‘dead in water’ media law with pledge to back independent journalism" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/03/29/fiji-to-scrap-dead-in-water-media-law-with-pledge-to-back-independent-journalism/" aria-label="Read more about Fiji to scrap ‘dead in water’ media law with pledge to back independent journalism">Read more</a>

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Repeal ‘draconian’ MIDA Act, urge Fiji media and journalism stakeholders

March 28, 2023

By Kelvin Anthony, RNZ Pacific lead digital and social media journalist The Fiji government is signalling that it will not completely tear down the country’s controversial media law which, according to local newsrooms and journalism commentators, has stunted press freedom and development for more than a decade. Ahead of the 2022 general elections last December, ... <a title="Repeal ‘draconian’ MIDA Act, urge Fiji media and journalism stakeholders" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/03/28/repeal-draconian-mida-act-urge-fiji-media-and-journalism-stakeholders/" aria-label="Read more about Repeal ‘draconian’ MIDA Act, urge Fiji media and journalism stakeholders">Read more</a>

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PNG draft media development policy ‘contemptuous’ of public interest

March 12, 2023

Asia Pacific Media Network’s chair Dr Heather Devere, deputy chair Dr David Robie and Pacific Journalism Review editor Dr Philip Cass last month made a submission on Papua New Guinea’s draft national media development policy in response to PNG journalists’ requests for comment. Here is part of their February 19 submission before the stakeholders consultation ... <a title="PNG draft media development policy ‘contemptuous’ of public interest" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/03/12/png-draft-media-development-policy-contemptuous-of-public-interest/" aria-label="Read more about PNG draft media development policy ‘contemptuous’ of public interest">Read more</a>

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Top PNG journalist challenges state media ‘regulation’ plans at stakeholder consultation

March 5, 2023

The National in Port Moresby Senior Papua New Guinean television journalist and columnist Scott Waide has challenged the government on what it actually wants to “regulate” in the draft national media development policy. During a policy consultation workshop with media stakeholders in Port Moresby on Thursday, he said “in the media ecosystem, there are many ... <a title="Top PNG journalist challenges state media ‘regulation’ plans at stakeholder consultation" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/03/05/top-png-journalist-challenges-state-media-regulation-plans-at-stakeholder-consultation/" aria-label="Read more about Top PNG journalist challenges state media ‘regulation’ plans at stakeholder consultation">Read more</a>

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Free media ‘underpins justice’ message to PNG government by united media

March 3, 2023

By Gorethy Kenneth in Port Moresby The Papua New Guinean government has been bluntly and frankly reminded to leave mainstream media alone as a long awaited consultative workshop on the recently introduced National Media Development Policy took place in Port Moresby. Media stakeholders stood in unity with the PNG Media Council yesterday to express their ... <a title="Free media ‘underpins justice’ message to PNG government by united media" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/03/03/free-media-underpins-justice-message-to-png-government-by-united-media/" aria-label="Read more about Free media ‘underpins justice’ message to PNG government by united media">Read more</a>

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PNG Post-Courier: Let’s talk first on media policy and transparency

March 2, 2023

EDITORIAL: PNG Post-Courier The discussions on Papua New Guinea’s new draft media development policy will come to the fore today when the media industry presents its response to the government. It is expected the PNG Media Council, which we are a member of, will present the position of the industry in response to the draft ... <a title="PNG Post-Courier: Let’s talk first on media policy and transparency" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/03/02/png-post-courier-lets-talk-first-on-media-policy-and-transparency/" aria-label="Read more about PNG Post-Courier: Let’s talk first on media policy and transparency">Read more</a>

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The National welcomes government claim of no plan to control media

February 28, 2023

The National Papua New Guinea’s The National newspaper has welcomed a statement by the Information and Communication Technology Department (DICT) that the government has no wish to control the media to limit freedom of expression. Editor-in-chief Christine Pakakota said a free media provided oxygen to any country claiming to be democratic, and effectively promoting transparency ... <a title="The National welcomes government claim of no plan to control media" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/02/28/the-national-welcomes-government-claim-of-no-plan-to-control-media/" aria-label="Read more about The National welcomes government claim of no plan to control media">Read more</a>

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‘Chilling effect on journalism’ – Fiji academic warns PNG against media law change

February 28, 2023

By Kelvin Anthony, RNZ Pacific digital and social media journalist, and Koroi Hawkins, RNZ Pacific journalist and Pacific Waves presenter A Pacific journalism academic has warned proposed amendments to media laws in Papua New Guinea, if “ill-defined”, could mirror the harsh restrictions in Fiji. Prime Minister James Marape’s government is facing fierce opposition from local ... <a title="‘Chilling effect on journalism’ – Fiji academic warns PNG against media law change" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/02/28/chilling-effect-on-journalism-fiji-academic-warns-png-against-media-law-change/" aria-label="Read more about ‘Chilling effect on journalism’ – Fiji academic warns PNG against media law change">Read more</a>

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PNG’s proposed policy could lead to government control of the press

February 27, 2023

ANALYSIS: By Mong Palatino Various stakeholders have warned that the draft National Media Development Policy released by Papua New Guinea’s Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) on February 5 could undermine media freedom if approved by the government. The DICT asked stakeholders to share their input within 12 days, but this was extended for ... <a title="PNG’s proposed policy could lead to government control of the press" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/02/27/pngs-proposed-policy-could-lead-to-government-control-of-the-press/" aria-label="Read more about PNG’s proposed policy could lead to government control of the press">Read more</a>