Publisher assaulted following controversial article on cabinet minister
Marc Neil Jones was left shaken and with visible injuries after he was struck to the head from behind, kicked, and strangled by his assailants during the assault, according to PFF.
Government must stop attacks on media, says PFF
The continuing silence and lack of progress into attacks of reporters by known assailants is hammering at the credibility of the Vanuatu government, says PFF.
Four police officers arrested for assault on publisher Marc Neil-Jones
(PINA/IFEX) – Police in Vanuatu say four police officers have been charged with the attack on the publisher of the “Vanuatu Daily Post”, Marc Neil-Jones, who suffered a broken nose and black eye. Neil-Jones suspected that the attack on 17 January 2009 was in retaliation for the publication’s coverage of ongoing problems at the country’s […]
Newspaper publisher attacked
(PINA/IFEX) – The publisher of Vanuatu’s “Daily Post” newspaper, Marc Neil-Jones, has been attacked in the capital of Port Vila. Radio New Zealand International reported that Neil-Jones sustained a broken nose and a black eye. Neil-Jones has filed an official complaint with the police and alleges that those involved are police officers who are employed […]
Government threatens to introduce bill restricting media freedom
(PINA/IFEX) – The Vanuatu government has warned it will be introducing a bill to curb media freedom in Vanuatu if local media outlets continue to publish biased and unfair opinions on government development policies, reports Radio Vanuatu. The warning came from the country’s ministry of agriculture after the “Independent” newspaper published an editorial opinion against […]
Freedom of the Press 2007: Vanuatu
Freedom of the Press 2007: Vanuatu
PINA pleased with response to its concerns over police treatment of photographer
(PINA/IFEX) – The Pacific Island News Association is pleased to be able to report that a satisfactory resolution has been identified in the recent incidents involving the “Vanuatu Daily Post” and its photographer, Marc Neil-Jones. PINA had previously reported that Neil-Jones was assaulted, improperly imprisoned and confined for a considerable length of time. Commissioner Arthur […]
PINA condemns police assaults on journalist, publisher
(PINA/IFEX) – The following is a PINA letter to Police Commissioner Arthur Caulton: Friday, March 31, 2006 Commissioner Arthur Caulton Vanuatu Police Force Port Vila, Vanuatu Sir: Recent police activity in Vanuatu has been brought to our attention. It appears as though your police force members have erred in the extreme in the past few […]
Ombudsman supports newspaper’s right to report
(PINA/IFEX) – In a 1 February 2000 report, Vanuatu’s “Trading Post” newspaper said that the country’s ombudsman supported its right to continue publishing news about a fatal local ship sinking in 1999. Ombudsman Hannington Alatoa voiced concern over an attempt by the government to “gag” the “Trading Post” from publishing further news on the sinking, […]
Vanuatu editors reinstated after protests
(PINA/IFEX) – On 29 September 1999, the chairman of the Vanuatu Broadcasting and Television Corporation announced that two suspended editors had been reinstated “with full entitlements but a with a strong warning.” PINA members in Vanuatu reported that Kaloris said editor Moses Stevens and desk editor for radio and TV Hilaire Bule were reinstated after […]
Editors suspended, government interference alleged
(PINA/IFEX) – On 23 September 1999, PINA appealed for the fundamental human rights to freedom of expression and information to be respected in a political power struggle now taking place in Vanuatu. PINA said that it was deeply disturbed to hear of the suspension of the editor and desk editor of the Vanuatu Broadcasting and […]
PINA defends right to speak out on Vanuatu intimidation
(PINA/IFEX) – PINA has defended its right to criticise the intimidation of the news media in Vanuatu, despite a Vanuatu Government demand for PINA not to interfere. The dispute began following an assault on the publisher of the country’s main independent newspaper, the twice-weekly “Vanuatu Trading Post”, by an associate of Deputy Prime Minister Willy […]
PINA calls for Vanuatu prime minister to act against media intimidation
PINA/IFEX – PINA has urged Vanuatu Prime Minister Donald Kalpokas to take immediate action against the intimidation of the local news media, and specifically the current pressure on the independent newspaper “Vanuatu Trading Post”. PINA deplored the physical assault on “Trading Post” publisher Marc Neil-Jones and the verbal intimidation of the newspaper and its staff. […]
Vanuatu publisher attacked, paper threatened
PINA/IFEX – News organisations in Vanuatu have faced intimidation and threats from Deputy Prime Minister Willy Jimmy and his supporters, the country’s main independent newspaper, the “Vanuatu Trading Post”, reported on 29 April 1999. It stated that, on 25 April, a former business associate of Jimmy assaulted “Trading Post” publisher, Marc Neil-Jones. Punches were thrown […]
Independent paper protests awards to politicians
(PINA/IFEX) – Vanuatu’s only independent newspaper, “Vanuatu Trading Post”, withdrew support from the country’s national news media association, Pres Klab blong Vanuatu, on 3 May 1998. It came after Pres Klab blong Vanuatu marked World Press Freedom Day with awards to the country’s four prime ministers since independence in 1980 from joint British-French rule. “Trading […]
Ombudswoman’s reports back on Radio Vanuatu
(PINA/IFEX) – Radio Vanuatu, a national radio service operated by the country’s only broadcaster, the government-owned Vanuatu Broadcasting and Television Corporation (VBTC), has once again aired remarks made by Vanuatu’s Ombudswoman Marie Noelle Ferrieux Patterson relating to political corruption. In a letter to Evelyn Toa, the Radio Vanuatu news editor, she indicated that she was […]