Independent Analysis and Reportage
There is a narrative going around that the war in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman – Israel/USA versus Iran – is a training exercise for the big one, a war between the United States and China centred on the Taiwan Strait.
Pacific Media Watch The Paris-based global media freedom group Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has condemned the guilty verdict against Filipino journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio whose case has been challenged since her arrest almost six years ago. Cumpio was found guilty today on a charge of “financing terrorism” in the Philippines, and now faces a sentence ... <a title="RSF condemns verdict in ‘fabricated’ case against Filipino journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/01/22/rsf-condemns-verdict-in-fabricated-case-against-filipino-journalist-frenchie-mae-cumpio/" aria-label="Read more about RSF condemns verdict in ‘fabricated’ case against Filipino journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio">Read more</a>
COMMENTARY: By Sameer Barghouthi The road from Beijing to Taiwan no longer seems impossible. Nothing appears to prevent Moscow — should it decide — from abducting the Ukrainian president from the heart of Kyiv. There is no longer any real immunity protecting political leadership anywhere, including Iranian leaders. The reason is not international chaos. The ... <a title="With the Gaza genocide, the world changed – sovereignty died and thuggery became a system" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/01/05/with-the-gaza-genocide-the-world-changed-sovereignty-died-and-thuggery-became-a-system/" aria-label="Read more about With the Gaza genocide, the world changed – sovereignty died and thuggery became a system">Read more</a>
By Giff Johnson, Marshall Islands Journal editor/RNZ Pacific correspondent Leaders of the three Pacific nations with diplomatic ties to Taiwan are united in a message to the Pacific Islands Forum that the premier regional body must not allow non-member countries to dictate Forum policies — a reference to the China-Taiwan geopolitical debate. Marshall Islands President ... <a title="Marshall Islands president warns of threat to Pacific Islands Forum unity" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/08/05/marshall-islands-president-warns-of-threat-to-pacific-islands-forum-unity/" aria-label="Read more about Marshall Islands president warns of threat to Pacific Islands Forum unity">Read more</a>
Australia (ranked 29th) and New Zealand (ranked 16th) are cited as positive examples by Reporters Without Borders in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index of commitment to public media development aid, showing support through regional media development such as in the Pacific Islands. Reporters Without Borders The 2025 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without ... <a title="New deal for journalism – RSF’s 11 steps to ‘reconstruct’ global media" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/05/05/new-deal-for-journalism-rsfs-11-steps-to-reconstruct-global-media/" aria-label="Read more about New deal for journalism – RSF’s 11 steps to ‘reconstruct’ global media">Read more</a>
By Mark Rabago, RNZ Pacific Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas correspondent Northern Marianas Governor Arnold Palacios and Senator Celina Babauta have travelled to Guam to attend a luncheon with Taiwan President Lai Ching-te. Taiwan is officially known as the Republic of China (Taiwan). China claims Taiwan as its own territory, with no right to state-to-state ... <a title="Northern Marianas leaders meet Taiwan President Lai Ching-te in Guam" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2024/12/05/northern-marianas-leaders-meet-taiwan-president-lai-ching-te-in-guam/" aria-label="Read more about Northern Marianas leaders meet Taiwan President Lai Ching-te in Guam">Read more</a>
By Eleisha Foon, RNZ Pacific senior journalist As the US election unfolds, American territories such as the Northern Marianas, American Samoa, and Guam, along with the broader Pacific region, will be watching the developments. As the question hangs in the balance of whether the White House remains blue with Kamala Harris or turns red under ... <a title="How the US election may affect Pacific Island nations" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2024/11/04/how-the-us-election-may-affect-pacific-island-nations/" aria-label="Read more about How the US election may affect Pacific Island nations">Read more</a>
SPECIAL REPORT: By David Robie in Taipei It was a heady week for the Paris-based global media freedom watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) — celebration of seven years of its Taipei office, presenting a raft of proposals to the Taiwan government, and hosting its Asia-Pacific network of correspondents. Director general Thibaut Bruttin and the Taipei ... <a title="RSF tackles Taiwan’s media freedom ‘Achilles heel’, boosts Asia Pacific monitoring action" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2024/10/26/rsf-tackles-taiwans-media-freedom-achilles-heel-boosts-asia-pacific-monitoring-action/" aria-label="Read more about RSF tackles Taiwan’s media freedom ‘Achilles heel’, boosts Asia Pacific monitoring action">Read more</a>
By Koroi Hawkins, RNZ Pacific editor It is the final day of election campaigning in Solomon Islands and there is a palpable sense of anticipation in the country, which is holding national and provincial elections simultaneously for the first time this year. There is also significant international interest this year in the outcome of the ... <a title="Ships in the night – final day of election campaigning in Solomon Islands" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2024/04/15/ships-in-the-night-final-day-of-election-campaigning-in-solomon-islands/" aria-label="Read more about Ships in the night – final day of election campaigning in Solomon Islands">Read more</a>
ANALYSIS: By Tess Newton Cain As the new year gets underway, now is the time to look ahead to what will be significant in the Pacific islands region. Chances are this part of the world will continue to be a focus for the media and commentariat who will view what happens through their own lenses. ... <a title="Pacific predictions: Elections, security and regionalism top 2024 agenda" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2024/01/25/pacific-predictions-elections-security-and-regionalism-top-2024-agenda/" aria-label="Read more about Pacific predictions: Elections, security and regionalism top 2024 agenda">Read more</a>
By Ronald Toito’ona and Charley Piringi in Honiara China’s interference and moves to control the media in the Solomon Islands have been exposed in leaked emails In-depth Solomons has obtained. On Monday last week [15 January 2024], Huangbi Lin, a diplomat working at the Chinese Embassy in Honiara, called the owner of Island Sun newspaper, ... <a title="‘Dear media friends’ – China interferes in Honiara media over Taiwan, reveals In-depth Solomons" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2024/01/23/dear-media-friends-china-interferes-in-honiara-media-over-taiwan-reveals-in-depth-solomons/" aria-label="Read more about ‘Dear media friends’ – China interferes in Honiara media over Taiwan, reveals In-depth Solomons">Read more</a>
By Giff Johnson, editor of the Marshall Islands Journal and RNZ Pacific correspondent Marshall Islands officials quickly moved this week to reaffirm this nation’s ties with Taipei in the wake of Nauru shifting diplomatic allegiance from Taiwan to China. “The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) values the strong relationship with Republic of China (Taiwan) ... <a title="Marshall Islands reaffirms ties with Taiwan in wake of Nauru shift" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2024/01/19/marshall-islands-reaffirms-ties-with-taiwan-in-wake-of-nauru-shift/" aria-label="Read more about Marshall Islands reaffirms ties with Taiwan in wake of Nauru shift">Read more</a>