Articles by Pacific Islands News Association (PINA)
Belgian TV documentary filmmakers reportedly held hostage
(PINA/IFEX) – On 20 June 2001, the Pacific Islands news service PINA Nius Online said “The Jakarta Post” reported that two Belgian TV documentary filmmakers missing in Indonesian-ruled West Papua are being held hostage by pro-independence rebels. The newspaper quoted Indonesian police as saying a district head is negotiating with a local Free Papua Movement […]
Mystery surrounds fate of two missing Belgian TV documentary filmmakers
(PINA/IFEX) – On 18 June 2001, the Pacific Islands news service PINA Nius Online reported continuing mystery about two Belgian TV documentary filmmakers who are missing in the jungle-clad hinterland of Indonesian-ruled West Papua. PINA Nius Online said reports from the provincial capital Jayapura said that Johan Elia Theo van Dem Eynde, 47, and Philippe […]
Form self-regulatory media council, prime minister warns
(PINA/IFEX) – On 17 June 2001, Prime Minister Terepai Maoate urged Cook Islands news media to form a self-regulatory media council and warned that he would otherwise appoint one himself. The regional news service PINA Nius Online reported that Maoate told a group of Pacific Islands editors that in the past two years he has […]
Parliamentary speaker lifts ban on reporter
(PINA/IFEX) – On 25 April 2001, the “Cook Islands News” confirmed that the speaker of the Cook Islands Parliament, Ngereteina Puna, had lifted his ban on “Cook Islands News” reporter Jason Brown covering parliament. This decision follows an apology printed on the front page, from the newspaper to Health Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Norman […]
Newspaper licensing threatened, senior journalist banned from parliament
(PINA/IFEX) – PINA is investigating threats to impose newspaper licensing in the Cook Islands and the banning of a senior journalist from covering the country’s parliament. On 18 April 2001, the “Cook Islands News” reported that Deputy Prime Minister Norman George told the Cook Islands parliament: “The time has arrived when legislation should be brought […]
Police charges against journalists to be withdrawn, say prosecutors
(PINA/IFEX) – On 6 April 2001, a Fiji Islands court was told that the director of public prosecutions will withdraw charges against two journalists because they were only doing their jobs while covering events in last year’s Fiji coup crisis. Ruci Mafi, of “The Fiji Times”, and Theresa Ralogaivau, of Radio Fiji, who are free […]
Attacks on journalists condemned
(PINA/IFEX) – On 17 November 2000, Papua New Guinea Media Council Chairperson Peter Aitsi condemned increasing attacks on Papua New Guinea journalists. He spoke after trade unionists gathering in Port Moresby, the capital, to protest against government policies, turned on journalists covering their planned march to the parliament. On 16 November, Sai Nou, a cameraperson […]
Editors defend charged journalists
(PINA/IFEX) – On 14 November 2000, the editors of two Fiji Islands journalists charged with unlawful assembly with rebels said their reporters had been covering the takeover of an army camp by the rebels. On 13 November, Fiji Islands police charged reporter Ruci Mafi of “The Fiji Times” and local Radio Fiji correspondent Theresa Ralogaivau […]