Articles by Pacific Islands News Association (PINA)
Five persons charged with contempt over television debate on newspaper ban
(PINA/IFEX) – On 2 April 2003, Radio and Television Tonga News reported that five Tongans involved in a television debate on their government’s ban on the New Zealand-published newspaper “Times of Tonga” have been charged with contempt of court. The debate was carried on one of the kingdom’s privately-owned television stations, operated by Oceania Broadcasting […]
PINA condemns government ban on import of newspaper
(PINA/IFEX) – On 27 February 2003, PINA condemned the Tongan government’s ban on the import of the “Times of Tonga” (“Taimi ‘o Tonga”) newspaper into the kingdom. PINA appealed to the Tongan prime minister, Prince ‘Ulukalala Lavaka Ata, to urgently reconsider the ban on the New Zealand-based twice-weekly newspaper. On 27 February, the Tongan government […]
Article 19 is fundamental, PINA and others tell World Summit on Information Society preparatory meeting
(PINA/IFEX) – The following is a 21 February 2003 PINA news release: Geneva – The Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) and other news media groups now in Geneva, Switzerland, have stressed: Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is fundamental to any World Summit on the Information Society declaration. The news media stand […]
Journalists jailed in 1996 win damages from government
(PINA/IFEX) – On 12 December 2002, the Pacific Islands news service PINA Nius reported that two Tongan journalists and a pro-democracy parliamentarian were awarded nearly US$26,000 in damages over their wrongful jailing in 1996. PINA Nius quoted the Tongan Supreme Court as saying “Times of Tonga” publisher and journalist Kalafi Moala, his then editor Filokalafi […]
Journalist taken to police station, assaulted and threatened
(PINA/IFEX) – On 3 December 2002, the Pacific Islands news service PINA Nius reported that Papua New Guinea police and military leaders had been urged to make it clear to their men that attacking and threatening journalists will not be tolerated. The call came from PINA President Johnson Honimae. Honimae said from Honiara, Solomon Islands, […]
Government pushes through tough newspaper laws
(PINA/IFEX) – On 8 October 2002, the Pacific Islands news agency PINA Nius Online reported that the Kiribati Parliament passed tough new newspaper registration laws, despite local and regional criticism. Government members used their majority to ensure the passing on second reading of the Newspaper Registration Amendment Bill 2002 on 7 October, the news agency […]
Investigative reporter threatened and assaulted by soldier
(PINA/IFEX) – On 7 October 2002, the Pacific Islands news agency PINA Nius Online reported that military police in Papua New Guinea were hunting for a soldier who attacked and threatened an investigative reporter at Papua New Guinea’s main military barracks. Defence Chief of Staff Tom Ur said the man would be dealt with “in […]
Kiribati legislation will enable government to close newspapers
(PINA/IFEX) – On 30 May 2002, the news service PINA Nius Online reported that the Kiribati government has begun moves that will enable newspapers in the country to be shut down if there are complaints about them. A bill carrying the name of Attorney-General Titabu Tabane is before Kiribati’s Parliament, the Maneaba ni Maungatabu, seeking […]