Articles by Pacific Islands News Association (PINA)
“Solomon Star” protests attempts to swear in ministers in secret
(PINA/IFEX) – “Solomon Star”, the main newspaper of Solomon Islands, has protested concerning efforts to hold swearing-in ceremonies of two new government ministers in secret, preventing journalists from covering the occasion. In a 25 September 1998 editorial, the newspaper wrote: “Events this week in which the media had been barred from covering the swearing in […]
Angry Speaker talks of action over “The Fiji Times” reports
(PINA/IFEX) – On 5 October 1998, the Speaker of the Fiji Islands House of Representatives criticised the country’s biggest daily newspaper, “The Fiji Times”, for publishing an Auditor-General’s report before it was tabled in the House. He suggested parliament take action to prevent this from happening. Fiji Television news showed the Speaker, Dr. Apenisa Kurisaqila, […]
Judge refuses Samoan Prime Minister full claim, but newspaper’s costs mount
(PINA/IFEX) – “Samoa Observer” editor-publisher Savea Sano Malifa and his newspaper have got another heavy financial blow. On 16 September 1998, the Samoa Supreme Court awarded Samoa’s Prime Minister, Tofilau Eti Alesana, $WS75,000 court costs against them, in addition to the earlier $WS50,000 defamation judgement in the case. But, Justice Sir Gordon Bisson refused to […]
PINA president comments on investigation of New Zealand university lecturers
(PINA/IFEX) – The president of the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA), William Parkinson, of the Fiji Islands, has commented on the Fiji Government’s “review” of the work permits of University of the South Pacific journalism lecturers David Robie and Ingrid Leary. **Updates IFEX alert of 1 September 1998** Parkinson, who is also managing director of […]
Journalists report from guarded “sex tape” court case
(PINA/IFEX) – Papua New Guinea journalists were escorted into a guarded courtroom to report on a hearing in the case of a woman allegedly videotaped having sex with a prominent government politician. The “Papua New Guinea Post-Courier” reported on 24 August 1998 that reporters were told to make their way to the courthouse in the […]
Fiji Government official says new Media Council will be “empowered” by law
(PINA/IFEX) – Fiji’s Assistant Minister for Information has again stressed that a new Media Council will be set up under government legislation to replace the news media’s present self-regulatory council. The Assistant Minister, Ratu Josefa Dimuri, is quoted in “The Fiji Times” of 25 August 1998 as saying: “We certainly cannot have a News Council […]
Armed police keep Papua New Guinea reporters from “sex tape” court case
(PINA/IFEX) – The use of armed police on 19 August 1998 to keep the public and journalists from attending the court case of a woman allegedly videotaped while having sex with a prominent government politician is causing anger in Papua New Guinea. National Capital District/Central police commander John Wakon said the police prosecutor used his […]
Asia-Pacific journalism training organisations form council
(PINA/IFEX) – Press institutes and journalism training organisations have formed a Council of Asia-Pacific Press Institutes to help strengthen journalism training and news media development in the region. Charter members are: the Press Institute of Bangladesh, the Press Institute of India, the Korean Press Institute, the Press Institute of Mongolia, the Nepal Press Institute, the […]