Articles by Pacific Islands News Association (PINA)
Northern Marianas governor attacks mainland USA news media
(PINA/IFEX) – Reporting on the American Pacific Islands Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas by mainland United States of America (USA) news media has again been attacked. Northern Marianas Governor Pedro Tenorio says the mainland media are hurting efforts to attract foreign investors to the islands, the regional news agency Pacnews reported on 2 June 1999. […]
UN East Timor mission condemns threats to kill Australian journalists, UN staff
(PINA/IFEX) – Threats to kill Australian journalists and United Nations (UN) staff in East Timor have been condemned by the UN mission there, the “Sydney Morning Herald” reported on 1 June 1999 (local date). David Wimhurst, spokesman for the UN Assistance Mission in East Timor (UNAMET), said the UN would demand that Indonesian police arrest […]
Indonesian minister defends media coverage, admits he led 1975 East Timor attack in which five journalists died
(PINA/IFEX) – A senior Indonesian minister has shrugged off deep frustration within his own government over news media reporting of violence in East Timor, Australia’s “Sydney Morning Herald” reported on 29 May 1999 (local time). It quoted Indonesia’s Information Minister, Yunus Yosfiah, as saying Indonesia would not currently be facing a series of crises if […]
Journalists threatened, East Timor safety office planned
(PINA/IFEX) – Indonesian and Australian journalists’ organisations plan to open a media safety office in East Timor, Australian Associated Press (AAP) reported on 25 May 1999. It comes amidst continuing threats to journalists trying to cover growing violence in East Timor in the lead up to a referendum on possible independence from Indonesia. **Updates IFEX […]
New Fiji Islands leader pledges no legislation against media, talks of need for “tuition”
(PINA/IFEX) – The new prime minister of the Fiji Islands, Mahendra Chaudhry, pledged on 21 May 1999 to not legislate against the media or impose media licensing, “The Fiji Times” reported. But Chaudhry said media organisations, starting from management, need “a lot of tuition,” the newspaper reported. “I think the media should be fair,” it […]
Journalists forcibly stopped amidst reports of new East Timor killings
(PINA/IFEX) – International journalists are again reporting that they are being forcibly stopped from going to areas in East Timor where there are reports of new killings by pro-Indonesian forces. On 18 May 1999, Australian Associated Press (AAP) correspondent John Martinkus said attempts by journalists and relief workers to reach the areas were stopped at […]
More attacks, threats against journalists covering Dili violence
(PINA/IFEX) – Overseas journalists attempting to cover a renewed rampage by pro-Indonesia militiamen in the East Timorese capital, Dili, were attacked and threatened, the “Sydney Morning Herald” reported on 10 May 1999. Groups of foreign journalists, including Australians, were stoned and ran for their lives when they entered the market area a short time after […]
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 […]