(PINA/IFEX) – The following is a PINA press release: PINA Statement for World Press Freedom Day by PINA President, Mr Ken Clark May 3 is World Press Freedom Day around the world. Here in the Pacific, media people from almost every nation are in their own way drawing attention to the importance of Media Freedom […]
(PINA/IFEX) – The following is a PINA press release:
PINA Statement for World Press Freedom Day by PINA President, Mr Ken Clark
May 3 is World Press Freedom Day around the world. Here in the Pacific, media people from almost every nation are in their own way drawing attention to the importance of Media Freedom in each of our Pacific Island countries.
The PINA Board and members were satisfied with the swift response following a recent upset in Vanuatu where police acted inappropriately in relation to media coverage of an unfortunate rugby tussle between a police team and a university squad.
The PINA Board of Directors has noted the recent draft media freedom Country Reports published by Freedom House and is pleased to note that, of the Pacific Island nations listed, only Tonga was identified as “partly free”, while all others were accepted as having free media systems.
In the case of Tonga, Freedom House commented on the marked improvements in the situation there and, having noted these same improvements there when it had its 2005 conference in Tonga, the PINA Board has been delighted to recognize and applaud those improvements publicly as well.
World Press Freedom Day activity is supported by UNESCO and Media Councils throughout the Pacific Region and PINA welcomes that support.
“Media freedom is a vital issue around the world, and specifically in the Pacific,” said Ken Clark, PINA’s current president, “We are delighted to see that such freedom is recognized and so widely supported.”
“Now, what about Freedom of Information, throughout the Pacific?”, asked Mr. Clark.
