The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its partner the Pacific Freedom Forum (PFF) in condemning the actions of Papua New Guinean police officers and soldiers, who ordered local journalists out of the Supreme Court and forced others to delete their images and recordings, on Thursday May 24, 2012.

According to a PFF report, the intervention of the police and soldiers into the court room of Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia was directed by Deputy Prime Minister Belden Namah.

A court reporter for radio station PNG FM was among those ordered out of the court house, and at least one photographer reported being forced to delete images he was taking.  

“The IFJ joins the PFF in condemning this clear denial of press freedom”, IFJ Asia-Pacific said.

“In this sensitive time for PNG, the role of journalists in keeping citizens informed has never been more important.

"The IFJ joins the PFF in urging PNG’s police, soldiers and political leaders to uphold the rule of law, and hold to account those responsible for intimidating and censoring the country’s journalists.”

For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +612 9333 0950

The IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 131 countries

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