The International Federation of Journalists
(IFJ) joins its partner the Pacific Freedom Forum (PFF) in condemning the violent
attack on a journalist in Papua New Guinea (PNG) on October 13.
According to reports received from the PFF, Michael
Koma, a correspondent for PNG daily the Post-Courier,was viciously attacked on
October 13, after his report inquiring into high-level local government
appointments in the Highlands province of the country was published in the
paper two days earlier.
According to the PFF, four men approached
Koma while he was sitting outside a relative’s house in the Highlands district
of Kundiawa, and after questioning him over the story, beat him until he was
unconscious.
Koma was rushed to hospital, and has since
recovered from the attack.
"The
use of violence to silence and intimidate journalists is both deplorable and
criminal and we commend Koma and the Post-Courier management for reporting this to the authorities," said PFF co-chair Titi
Gabi.
“The
culture of impunity over journalist bashings, threats and intimidation will
only change when we stop accepting criminal attacks and abuse as part of the
work we do," said Gabi.
A
police investigation into the attack is reportedly underway.
intimidation and threats against media workers, particularly in PNG’s
provincial areas, have been identified by the PNG Media Workers Association, as
major obstacles to improved journalism in the country.
“Violence against journalists is
unacceptable. The media must be able to report freely on events in the public
interest without fear of reprisal”, said the IFJ Asia-Pacific.
“The IFJ joins the PFF in calling
on the authorities of PNG to conduct a swift investigation into the attack, and
ensure that the safety of media workers is guaranteed.”
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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