logo
World Media Freedom Day: What's Happening In The Pacific

World Media Freedom Day: What's Happening In The Pacific

Scoop03-05-2025

Today, May 3, marks World Press Freedom Day, a global reminder of the essential role media freedom plays in upholding democracy and accountability. RNZ Pacific
Today, May 3, marks World Press Freedom Day, a global reminder of the essential role media freedom plays in upholding democracy and accountability.
This year's theme, 'Strengthening Media Independence and Sustainability,' resonates deeply across the Pacific, where journalists face challenges ranging from political pressure and staff shortages to gender inequality and cyberbullying.
Despite these obstacles, Pacific journalists continue to speak truth to power while sharing the inspiring stories of their communities.
In honour of today, media organisations throughout the Pacific are hosting events over the course of today and next week that reflect the region's media resilience and commitment to free, independent journalism.
Marshall Islands
This year marks a milestone for the Marshall Islands, as they celebrate World Press Freedom Day for the first time. An event at the Marshall Islands Resort's Lomalo Room will feature the 'Telling My Pacific Story' Short Film Competition, sponsored by the Pacific Media Institute.
The evening will include the Media Freedom Award, and up to four filmmakers who best capture the importance of media freedom in the Pacific will be awarded upwards of USD$4,000 in prizes.
Papua New Guinea
In Papua New Guinea, the Media Council of PNG (MCPNG) is hosting the inaugural PNG Media Summit today.
The summit will address key issues such as AI growth, media ethics, the role of women in journalism, and the future of media in the region. MCPNG will also revive the PNG Media Awards, recognising the achievements of media workers across the country.
Solomon Islands
In the Solomon Islands, the Media Association of Solomon Islands (MASI) will host a regional hybrid event on May 5, aligned with this year's theme.
Organised in partnership with the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA), the event will feature panel discussions on the role of civil society in media independence and the economic challenges facing local journalism. Speakers will include representatives from Transparency Solomon Islands, the Solomon Broadcasting Corporation, and other local outlets.
Fiji and Samoa
The Fijian Media Association will host an event in Suva on May 8 to reflect on four decades of media freedom in Fiji, documenting the progress, challenges, and milestones of Fijian journalism.
In Samoa, the Journalist Association of Western Samoa (JAWS) will hold a series of events next week, including a panel discussion on media codes and ethics.
These discussions will be broadcast on NUSTV, Radio 2AP, TV9, Radio Polynesia, and TV1, offering the public a chance to engage with media professionals.
As today marks the annual celebrations of media freedom, the regional events highlight the media's commitment to media freedom, and their role in upholding transparent, strong avenues of media.
Pacific media groups
Robert Iroga, co-chair of the Pacific Freedom Forum, PFF, said 'we commend and support the many independent and investigative journalists across our region who are braving complex challenges as they serve the public interest, without fear or favour.'
We also marked a significant milestone for our region, setting a baseline set of Pacific media freedom indicators [https://pacificfreedomforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Pacific-Islands-Media-Freedom-Index-and-Report_2023_lr2.pdf which is led For Us, By Us, and About Us, Iroga said
'The indicators and survey highlighted challenges and issues with a Pacific media freedom lens, and many of its key findings on media freedom have also been reflected in a PacMAS state of the media report launched.'
The President of the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA), Kalafi Moala said 'we in the Pacific stand together to defend and promote the right to freedom of expression-now facing new and complex challenges in the age of
Artificial Intelligence (AI).'
'AI is changing the way we gather, share, and consume information. It offers exciting tools that can help journalists work faster and reach more people, even across our scattered islands. But AI also brings serious risks. It can be used to spread misinformation, silence voices, and make powerful tech companies,' he said.
'We must not allow AI to weaken media freedom, independence, or diversity in our region. Instead, we must ensure that new technologies serve our people, respect our voices, and support the role of journalism in democracy and development,' Moala said.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Influencer Not Disqualified From Vanuatu 'Golden Passport' Due To No Conviction
Influencer Not Disqualified From Vanuatu 'Golden Passport' Due To No Conviction

Scoop

time11 hours ago

  • Scoop

Influencer Not Disqualified From Vanuatu 'Golden Passport' Due To No Conviction

Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific Journalist A Pacific editor for the newsroom that found online influencer Andrew Tate has Vanuatu citizenship says Tate was not disqualified from getting the "golden passport" because he has not been convicted. Tate, a self-described misogynist, faces charges of rape and human trafficking in both the United Kingdom and Romania. The Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) found Tate was granted citizenship in December 2022. Dan McGarry, an editor with OCCRP, said the passport was issued about 15 days after Tate was detained in Romania. Tate bought into the "golden passport" scheme, formally known as citizenship by investment, where applicants can be granted Vanuatu citizenship for a minimum investment of $US130,000. McGarry said the citizenship commissioner - who has been newly appointed in the role - was surprised to find out who Tate was. "He expressed regret, but at the same time, he said that once a submission has been made, once the application is put to the commission, nothing short of a criminal conviction or false representation on the application itself is sufficient to stop the process," McGarry said. He said despite the charges, because Tate has not been convicted, "none of that is disqualifying". "I think if it comes out that there's a conviction that arises, it's possible that his citizenship may be revoked as a result." McGarry said there are several reasons why people want a Vanuatu passport, including not for nefarious reasons. "There is a fairly legitimate argument to be made for citizens of repressive regimes whose travel is restricted by their local authorities." But for Tate, Vanuatu citizenship could have seemed appealing because there's no extradition treaty between Vanuatu and Romania. "[Tate's] on the record saying that he has multiple passports and that he prefers to live in places where he can effectively buy his way out of any problem that he's facing. "However, he's now facing criminal charges in the UK as well. That was just confirmed last week and there is a very long-standing extradition agreement between the UK and Vanuatu, so I'm not sure the passport is going to do what he thought it would do originally." Citizenship by investment started in 1984 in the Caribbean, with Vanuatu launching its own scheme in 2017. "It structured it in such a way that it was very easy for people outside of Vanuatu to insert themselves into the process by acting as sub agents, effectively selling citizenship and that made it very lucrative," McGarry said. Until 2024, Vanuatu citizens had visa-free access to the Schengen area in the EU. "It made the Vanuatu passport very, very attractive, and the price was somewhat better than some of the earlier programs," McGarry said. He said citizenship by investment programmes at one point were the single largest source of government revenue in Vanuatu. "You can imagine how attractive that made it to politicians who had always been very financially limited in terms of delivering programmes for people domestically. "It's been very, very hard for the government to walk away from it, because there's just so much money to be made." The Vanuatu Citizenship Commission chairman, Charles Maniel, has told the Vanuatu Daily Post it can't carry out any revocation until allegations are proven by a court of law.

More Deaths Reported Out Of West Papua Clashes
More Deaths Reported Out Of West Papua Clashes

Scoop

timea day ago

  • Scoop

More Deaths Reported Out Of West Papua Clashes

Article – RNZ Further reports of civilian casualties are coming out of West Papua, while clashes between Indonesia's military and the armed wing of the Free Papua Movement continue. Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific Journalist Further reports of civilian casualties are coming out of West Papua, while clashes between Indonesia's military and the armed wing of the Free Papua Movement continue. One of the most recent military operations took place in the early morning of 14 May in Sugapa District, Intan Jaya in Central Papua. Military spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Iwan Dwi Prihartono, in a video statement translated into English, said 18 members of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) were killed. He claimed the military wanted to provide health services and education to residents in villages in Intan Jaya but they were confronted by the TPNPB. Prihartono said the military confiscated an AK47, homemade weapons, ammunition, bows and arrows and the morning star flag – used as a symbol for West Papuan independence. But, according to the TPNPB, only three of the group's soldiers were killed with the rest being civilians. The United Liberation Movement for West Papua said civilians killed included a 75-year-old, two women and a child. Both the women were allegedly found on 23 May in shallow graves. A spokesperson from the Embassy of Indonesia in Wellington said all 18 people killed were part of the TPNPB, as confirmed by the military. 'The local regent of Intan Jaya has checked for the victims at their home and hospitals; therefore, he can confirm that the 18 victims were in fact all members of the armed criminal group,' they said. 'The difference in numbers of victim sometimes happens because the armed criminal group tried to downplay their casualties or to try to create confusion.' The spokesperson said the military operation was carried out because local authorities 'followed up upon complaints and reports from local communities that were terrified and terrorized by the armed criminal group'. Jakarta-based Human Rights Watch researcher Andreas Harsono said it was part of the wider, Operation Habema which started last year. 'It is a military operation to 'eliminate' the Free Papua guerilla fighters, not only in Intan Jaya but in several agencies along the central highlands,' Harsono said. He said it's been intensifying since the TPNPB killed 17 miners in April, which the armed group accused of being 'military informers'. RNZ Pacific has been sent photos of people who have been allegedly killed or injured in the 14 May assault, while others have been shared by ULMWP. Harsono said despite the photos and videos it's hard to verify if civilians had been killed. He said Indonesia claimed civilian casualties – including of the women who were allegedly buried in shallow graves – were a result of the TPNPB. 'The TPNPB says, 'of course, it is a lie why should we kill an indigenous woman?' Well, you know, it is difficult to verify which one is correct, because they're fighting the battle [in a very remote area]. 'It's difficult to cross-check whatever information coming from there, including the fact that it is difficult to get big videos or big photos from the area with the metadata.' Harsono said Indonesia is now using drones to fight the TPNPB. 'This is something new; I think it will change the security situation, the battle situation in West Papua. 'So far the TPNPB has not used drones; they are still struggling. In fact, most of them are still using bows and arrows in the conflict with the Indonesian military.'

More Deaths Reported Out Of West Papua Clashes
More Deaths Reported Out Of West Papua Clashes

Scoop

timea day ago

  • Scoop

More Deaths Reported Out Of West Papua Clashes

Further reports of civilian casualties are coming out of West Papua, while clashes between Indonesia's military and the armed wing of the Free Papua Movement continue. Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific Journalist Further reports of civilian casualties are coming out of West Papua, while clashes between Indonesia's military and the armed wing of the Free Papua Movement continue. One of the most recent military operations took place in the early morning of 14 May in Sugapa District, Intan Jaya in Central Papua. Military spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Iwan Dwi Prihartono, in a video statement translated into English, said 18 members of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) were killed. He claimed the military wanted to provide health services and education to residents in villages in Intan Jaya but they were confronted by the TPNPB. Prihartono said the military confiscated an AK47, homemade weapons, ammunition, bows and arrows and the morning star flag – used as a symbol for West Papuan independence. But, according to the TPNPB, only three of the group's soldiers were killed with the rest being civilians. The United Liberation Movement for West Papua said civilians killed included a 75-year-old, two women and a child. Both the women were allegedly found on 23 May in shallow graves. A spokesperson from the Embassy of Indonesia in Wellington said all 18 people killed were part of the TPNPB, as confirmed by the military. 'The local regent of Intan Jaya has checked for the victims at their home and hospitals; therefore, he can confirm that the 18 victims were in fact all members of the armed criminal group,' they said. 'The difference in numbers of victim sometimes happens because the armed criminal group tried to downplay their casualties or to try to create confusion.' The spokesperson said the military operation was carried out because local authorities 'followed up upon complaints and reports from local communities that were terrified and terrorized by the armed criminal group'. Jakarta-based Human Rights Watch researcher Andreas Harsono said it was part of the wider, Operation Habema which started last year. 'It is a military operation to 'eliminate' the Free Papua guerilla fighters, not only in Intan Jaya but in several agencies along the central highlands,' Harsono said. He said it's been intensifying since the TPNPB killed 17 miners in April, which the armed group accused of being 'military informers'. RNZ Pacific has been sent photos of people who have been allegedly killed or injured in the 14 May assault, while others have been shared by ULMWP. Harsono said despite the photos and videos it's hard to verify if civilians had been killed. He said Indonesia claimed civilian casualties – including of the women who were allegedly buried in shallow graves – were a result of the TPNPB. 'The TPNPB says, 'of course, it is a lie why should we kill an indigenous woman?' Well, you know, it is difficult to verify which one is correct, because they're fighting the battle [in a very remote area]. 'It's difficult to cross-check whatever information coming from there, including the fact that it is difficult to get big videos or big photos from the area with the metadata.' Harsono said Indonesia is now using drones to fight the TPNPB. 'This is something new; I think it will change the security situation, the battle situation in West Papua. 'So far the TPNPB has not used drones; they are still struggling. In fact, most of them are still using bows and arrows in the conflict with the Indonesian military.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store