(WPFC/IFEX) – The North American National Broadcasters Association (NANBA), with the support of the World Press Freedom Committee (WPFC), has joined with the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) in strongly urging the Indonesian government to relax visa regulations which restrict the freedom of foreign journalists in that country. The declaration comes in the wake of […]
(WPFC/IFEX) – The North American National Broadcasters Association (NANBA),
with
the support of the World Press Freedom Committee (WPFC), has joined with the
Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) in strongly urging the Indonesian
government to relax visa regulations which restrict the freedom of foreign
journalists in that country.
The declaration comes in the wake of the detention and subsequent
deportation of Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Paul Watson, a foreign
correspondent with “The Toronto Star.” Watson was detained in Indonesia on 6
May and deported three days later.
Authorities seized two rolls of film before deporting him (for more
information on this case see IFEX alert of 7 May 1998).
“Since being created in 1972, NANBA has always taken an active role in
defending freedom of the press across the globe. As a continent-wide
organization, we are glad to work with our partners at organizations such as
the CPJ, the World Press Freedom Committee, the Freedom Forum and the World
Association of Newspapers in supporting their calls for greater press
freedom”, said Bill Roberts, NANBA Secretary General. “In this particular
case, we urge the government of Indonesia to allow journalists to perform
their duties in an environment that is free of systemic harassment and
intimidation.”
Roberts’ sentiments are echoed by Marilyn Greene, WPFC Executive Director.
“On behalf of the World Press Freedom Committee, which includes 44
journalistic organizations on six continents, I urge President Suharto and
his government to remove barriers to journalists wishing to travel to and
within Indonesia to gather and report news”, said Greene. She adds: “The
issue is especially critical at this time of economic stress in the region.
Financial, political and social stability will come only when
investors and citizens have access to a free flow of information and news.”
NANBA is a Toronto-based, international non-profit organization providing a
framework for the identification, study and active solution of international
issues affecting broadcasters and broadcasting. The association represents
major broadcasting organizations in Canada, Mexico and the United States and
also acts as the official secretariat for the World Broadcasting Unions
(WBU). The association is an affiliate of the WPFC.
