(PINA/IFEX) – Senior Papua New Guinea editors have called for an urgent inquiry into allegations that bribes have been paid to local journalists. It follows the showing on Australian television of a series of secretly taped videos in which a Papua New Guinea government minister appears to be given money to “pay off” the media. […]
(PINA/IFEX) – Senior Papua New Guinea editors have called for an
urgent inquiry into allegations that bribes have been paid to
local journalists. It follows the showing on Australian
television of a series of secretly taped videos in which a Papua
New Guinea government minister appears to be given money to “pay
off” the media. The allegations are part of a growing corruption
controversy in Papua New Guinea that threatens to bring down the
coalition government of Prime Minister Bill Skate.
The editor of Papua New Guinea’s biggest daily newspaper, Oseah
Philemon, called for an immediate inquiry and said: “I want the
air to be cleared. We have a reputation to protect here.”
The chairwoman of the Papua New Guinea Media Council and
editor-in-chief of the Word Publishing group of newspapers, Anna
Solomon, said in a written statement: “The media in PNG prides
itself on its integrity, courage and determination to root out
corruption and to expose crooked politicians and business people.
“We are often called on to play the de facto political opposition
to protect the interests of the grassroots people — a role we
accept with deep conviction.”
She called for a full inquiry and said that if any “rotten
apples” are found they will be removed swiftly.
Skate, who was returning from the Asia Pacific Economic
Cooperation (APEC) leaders’ meeting in Vancouver, told
journalists that he was aware there would be an attempt to
embarrass him and Internal Affairs Minister Thomas Pelika. He
said this was after “pathetic” blackmail attempts failed.
According to a report on Radio Australia, Skate also launched
defamation actions in Australia against the Australian
Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and a former adviser to Skate,
Australian businessman Mujo Sefa. Sefa, who until recently lived
in Papua New Guinea, is believed to have played a
behind-the-scenes role in forming Skate’s coalition government.
However, he suddenly returned to Australia after differences with
senior government members and a falling out over his future role,
according to Papua New Guinea journalists.
On 26 November, the ABC screened secret videotapes allegedly
taken by Sefa of Skate and Pelika in Sefa’s Port Moresby office.
A tape of one meeting shows Sefa telling Pelika he had been given
2000 kina (about A $2000) by Skate to give to him to take care of
the local media.
On 27 November, Sefa again appeared on ABC television, claiming
he had spent 500,000 kina getting Skate made Prime Minister. On
28 November, ABC television ran videotape allegedly showing Skate
claim he had supporters murder a man who threatened his life.
Papua New Guinea, along with Fiji, has the most developed news
media in the independent Pacific Islands nations. Papua New
Guinea journalists have played a major role in exposing
corruption by politicians and business people. Papua New Guinea
news organisations have also vigorously, and successfully,
resisted efforts by politicians to impose controls on the news
media.
