The late Sir Rabbie Namaliu . . . Presold his autobiography but has died before he could write it. Image: PNG Post-Courier/PNGPC Archives.
OBITUARY: By Jean Nuia in Kokopo
Papua New Guinea’s fourth prime minister, Sir Rabbie Namaliu, has died — four days shy of his 76th birthday which would have been celebrated today.
The late Sir Rabbie was born Rabbie Langanai Namaliu on April 3, 1947, to early local missionaries Darius and Utul Ioan Namaliu, at a mission station at Watnabara, Duke of York, in East New Britain Province. He was the eldest of eight.
In the wake of his death, Andrew Ilam, a first cousin to Sir Rabbie, recollects the blessing Sir Rabbie received at birth by the early white missionaries.
“When he was born, because he had a big head, the sisters would carry him every morning. And they told his parents: ‘You know what, when this man grows up, he’s going to be a big man.
“He’s going to be a clever, educated man’,” Ilam said.
“So they actually blessed him for what he was doing when he grew up. This is what happened to him.”
When Sir Rabbie was old enough, his father enrolled him at Raluana Primary. He went on to Vunamami Vocational, a feeder school to Kerevat during the 1960s. In 1966, Sir Rabbie finished from Kerevat National High School. He was ready for university.
Told to ‘stay back’
Sir Rabbie’s younger brother, Jack recalls that at that time most of the students would have gone to New South Wales to attend university. However, his brother’s group was told to stay back.
They were the first students to attend the University of Papua New Guinea at a time when there were still no buildings.
“He studied political science and history while living in temporary accommodation, a tent hitched at the Admin College,” Jack said.
Upon his father’s urging, Sir Rabbie was forced to turn down a job offer with the United Nations.
“He had already signed his contract and written to our father. But because we were getting ready for Independence, my father wrote back, telling my brother that he could not stay abroad, he needed to be here to help Sir Michael Somare prepare for Independence,” Jack said.
Jack, shaking his head, said: “The late Sir Michael even had to send the late Sir Pita Lus and late Sir Maori Kiki to Canada to press him to return.
“We knew Sir Michael well. Our fathers were very close.”
From lecturer to government
Sir Rabbie later left UPNG where he worked as a lecturer and in 1974 he became Sir Michael’s Principal Private Secretary.
“Sir Michael sent him back here … before Independence as the first local District Commissioner for ENB [East New Britain]. That time there was so many associations and movements in the province. He brought everyone together. That’s where everyone agreed to having provincial governments,” Jack said.
Sir Rabbie first became an MP in 1982. He was Member for Kokopo for five consecutive terms until 2007.
Jack remembers: “That was the year the voting system was changed to LPV (limited preferential voting). Not too many people knew about this and a lot of people were confused.
“And that’s probably why he lost. Otherwise he would have remained an MP.
“He accepted defeat and he congratulated his successor, the late Patrick Tamur. Consecutive elections after, people and leaders asked him to stand again but he refused. He had a principle that if he was defeated, the trust was no longer there so he stayed away.”
Vocal man for the people
In the years after politics and up until his passing, Sir Rabbie sat on a number of national and international boards. He remained a vocal man, with his heart for the people.
“He gives advice to anybody, even to the MP’s after him. He would say if you have any problems, come and see me — none of them have ever come to him. But he is a humble person, he does not want to hurt anybody,” Jack said.
Late last year, the late Sir Rabbie had decided he wanted to write a book.
Jack said: “We started on it and Dr Ilave Vele from UPNG agreed he would write Sir Rabbie’s biography. We’ll probably still have to pursue it and complete it.
“He pre-sold the whole book. He hadn’t even written it yet. He did have a title but I’ve forgotten … maybe we can still push it.”
Jean Nuiais a PNG Post-Courier reporter. Republished with permission.
The late Sir Rabbie Namaliu . . . Presold his autobiography but has died before he could write it. Image: PNG Post-Courier/PNGPC Archives.
RNZ Pacific's new editor Koroi Hawkins . . . his family "are my biggest fans and harshest critics and the reason I get up each day and head out the door." Image: Koroi Hawkins/FB
By Sri Krishnamurthi
Highly respected and convivial Koroi Hawkins has become RNZ Pacific’s first Melanesian editor after arriving in New Zealand in 2014 and says he is “truly humbled” after nearly a decade at RNZ.
“It is a great honour. I am a Pacific journalist from the school of hard knocks so it was already a massive achievement just making it into the RNZ Pacific team,” Hawkins tells Asia Pacific Report.
“Never in a million years did I imagine I could ever become the editor when I arrived here. It is testament to all of the support and mentoring I have received here at RNZ Pacific that I was even confident to put my hand up,” he says humbly.
But what made RNZ Pacific’s manager Moera Tuilaepa-Taylor choose Hawkins for the role of editor in the first place?
“Koroi’s time as producer and presenter of Pacific Waves has allowed him to develop his leadership and mentoring skills”, says RNZ Pacific manager Moera Tuilaepa-Taylor. Image: RNZ Pacific
The deciding factor was RNZ Pacific’s flagship daily current affairs programme Pacific Waves that delves into issues of Pacific peoples wherever they are in the world, and airs proudly and loudly across Pacific at 8pm (NZT) every weeknight, she says.
“Koroi’s time as producer and presenter of Pacific Waves has allowed him to develop his leadership and mentoring skills within the team, in particular with some of our younger reporters who had never worked in radio,” Tuilaepa-Taylor said.
“There’s respect and trust in his leadership and skills by the team, and that’s when we knew that he was the right candidate for the role. He had the right cultural attributes,” she said.
Science aspirations
However, Tuilaepa-Taylor was not the manager who hired Hawkins in the first place. Instead, it was former RNZ Pacific manager Linden Clark and ex-news editor Walter Zweifel who brought him to RNZ Pacific.
Ironically, Hawkins never wanted to be journalist originally — he studied science in high school.
“I never aspired to be a journalist. I was a science student through high school and wanted to be a marine biologist,” he said.
“But, I had a keen love for storytelling thanks to my mum Effie Hawkins, who is a retired early childhood teacher and who would always read me books.
“When I was old enough she encouraged me to read and to write letters to our family members overseas.
“I think that is when I realised as a working journalist that we could give a voice to the voiceless and hold those in power to account. That is when I found my passion for the craft,” says Hawkins.
Hawkins started working as a journalist in the Solomon Islands under the tutelage and guidance of Solomon’s legendary journalist Dorothy Wickham.
Start-up TV in Honiara
“I started as a news presenter for local start-up TV outfit One Television Solomon Islands under Dorothy Wickham.
“I was on holiday in Malaita with my wife and our newly born daughter Janelle and I wrote a small sport story on a futsal tournament at Aligegeo which was well received by the news department — and the rest is history they say.
He developed photography and videography skills for which is renowned for whenever on assignment covering events in the Pacific.
“I started with RNZ Pacific as an intermediate reporter. I brought with me photography and videography skills which I mostly used on reporting assignments in the region,” he says matter-of-factly as if it were nothing.
However, that wasn’t the only skill he mastered. When I worked with him he was adept and very helpful when doing digital web stories, knowing where the photo goes and how to web edit.
He was also very helpful to the younger reporters when it came to mastering audio for radio.
The one thing you notice about Hawkins when you meet him is a sense of calming presence about him when all else would be chaos around. That was the case in 2018 covering the Fiji elections, especially when covering about-to-become PM Sitiveni Rabuka’s court case just two days before the election.
‘Calmness from my mother’
“My calmness comes from my mother, she was always calm in a crisis and it also comes from operating in our Pacific newsroom situations where when things go wrong they are literally operation halting things like cyclones, power cuts and equipment breakdowns, riots, and coups,” he says.
“Things over which we have no control and just have to work around.”
“By comparison, the crises in New Zealand newsrooms are relatively manageable. I think also it must be an age thing, as I grow older both at home and at work I find myself always seeing solutions rather seeing obstacles.
“Some of it just comes with experience and I am always open to learning new things and trying new ways of doing things better than we did in the past.”
He rates his career highlight was when while calling his mum and dad in the Solomon Islands they told him they had heard him on air.
“I think the two main highlights in my career is calling my mum and dad in Munda and them telling me they heard me on the radio.
“And bringing my family out here to New Zealand to join me. They are my biggest fans and harshest critics and the reason I get up each day and head out the door,” Hawkins says.
Journalist Koroi Hawkins . . . does he hail from the Solomon Islands or elsewhere? “That’s probably a whole article in itself.” Image: Koroi Hawkins/FB
Cyclone Pam, Papua assignments toughest By far the most difficult assignments he has done was covering Cyclone Pam in 2015 as well as travelling to West Papua with RNZ Pacific’s legendary Johnny Blades.
“Cyclone Pam in 2015 was the most difficult in terms of length of time on the ground in challenging circumstances,” he says.
And Tuilaepa-Taylor agrees with him .
“His coverage of tropical cyclone Pam in Vanuatu, and also coverage of the Fiji elections with Sally Round and Kelvin Anthony — these are the things that come to my mind,” says Tuilaepa-Taylor.
Then there was the harrowing trip he went on to Jayapura in “untamed” West Papua in 2015 with Johnny Blades.
“Shooting video for Johnny Blades on a trip to West Papua was the most difficult in terms of operating in a hostile environment,” he said
“It was harrowing in the sense that you were being watched (by the Indonesian authorities) who were surveillng you.
‘Unnerving being watched’
“There was no harassment but it was very unnerving knowing you were being watched,” he says.
“But I would say reporting on political situations in the region like the most recent election in Fiji are the most challenging journalistically in terms of getting the facts and local context correct,” Hawkins says.
While in contrast he found the gentle and joyous Pacific creativity a very enjoyable experience.
“Our cultural festivals like the Festival of Pacific Arts or even Pasifika in Auckland and Wellington are the most enjoyable assignments for me seeing our Pacific cultures and languages celebrated gives me so much pride and hope for the future which my own children will inherit long after I am gone.”
It is that very depth of experience he brings to the vastness of his role as editor.
“I think the most important thing I bring to the role is my experience I have worked my way up the ladder form the bottom in Pacific and New Zealand newsrooms.
“I have affinity to a few Pacific cultures through my own heritage, my partner Margret’s heritage and through our extended families,” Hawkins says.
Consultative style
He seeks in his editorial stye to be fair and yet firm, but not authoritative but rather being consultative.
“ I believe we are stronger if everyone in the team contributes and I like to gather as much information and input as possible from my team before making decisions,” Hawkins said.
“Because I literally started from the bottom, I am very empathetic to people’s journeys and believe that where someone is now is not where they will be in a few years’ time.
“A lot of people took a chance on me and invested in me and gave me opportunities that helped me advance in my own career and I aspire to pay that forward,” Hawkins says.
With his time likely to be in high demand he will not continue doing Pacific Waves.
“No I will not be. The future of this role is still being decided. I am excited for whoever will be stepping into this role as it has been a transformative one for me.
“The programme has a huge regional and international following and we hope to continue building on the great work that was started by current and former RNZ Pacific colleagues.
And, does he hail from the Solomon Islands or elsewhere?
“That’s probably a whole article in itself,” he said.
“In short, I was born in Nadi to a Fijian father and a part-Fijian part-Solomon Islands mother. I was adopted when I was three-weeks-old by my great aunt, who I call my mum, and who raised me in Honiara, Australia and Munda in the Western Solomons in that order.
“I speak English, Roviana and Pidgin and understand very basic Fijian. Although I am keen to learn more.
Fond Aotearoa memories
He speaks fondly of Aotearoa and he remembers the first time he came to the country.
“The first time I ever came to New Zealand was actually in 2010, thanks to Professor David Robie and the AUT Pacific Media Centre.
“I presented on the ethnic crisis in Solomon Islands and was accompanied by my partner Margret little did we know then that our future lay in Aotearoa. I first came to New Zealand to work for RNZ International in 2014,” he said.
The knowledge he intends to impart to his younger journalists to help them in the search for knowledge and experience comes from having been there and done that.
“I think sharing my experiences and being accessible has been well received so far. I am a living breathing example of how far you can come in this field if you apply yourself,” Hawkins says.
“Just letting them know I am in their corner I think is important. Every chance I get I love to introduce and connect people and not just within RNZ Pacific but in the wider region.
“It gives me great joy to see someone succeed of the back of an introduction or a contact reference.
“This work is hard but know we are all in it together makes it a little more bearable. It really is about the person next to you,” he says.
Sri Krishnamuthi is an independent journalist, former editor of the Pacific Media Watch project at the Pacific Media Centre and a contributor to Asia Pacific Report.
Vanuatu journalist and editor Dan McGarry . . . "This is a crucial principle that had to be defended." Image: RNZ Pacific/Dan McGarry/Twitter
RNZ Pacific
Vanuatu’s Supreme Court has ruled in favour of Trading Post Ltd, the owner of the VanuatuDaily Post newspaper, BUZZ FM96 and other media outlets, in a case against the government’s refusal to renew the company’s former media director’s work permit.
Dan McGarry, who served as a director of the company when he had his visa revoked in 2019, said the ruling was a “big win for independent media”.
McGarry’s work permit application was rejected by then Prime Minister Charlot Salwai’s government.
The reason given by the Labour Commissioner Murielle Meltenoven at the time was that McGarry’s role — who at the time had lived and worked in Port Vila for 14 years — could be taken up by a ni-Vanuatu person and that he had failed to train his local staff.
The Daily Post claimed that the decision to revoke McGarry’s visa was made after the newspaper had published stories concerning the arrest and arbitrary deportation of a group of Chinese nationals, some of whom had been granted Vanuatu citizenship.
McGarry and the company claimed that Meltenoven’s decision was a political one and argued that the government had no right to meddle in their lawful hiring decisions and appealed the decision.
The issue had escalated and he was barred by the government from returning to the country, a decision which was later overturned by the Supreme Court.
Acted unlawfully
On Tuesday, March 28, Justice Dudley Aru ruled that both the Labour Commissioner and the Appeals Committee acted unlawfully in barring McGarry’s employment.
“After three long years, I feel vindicated,” McGarry, who testified in the case, said in a statement.
A former Vanuatu Daily Post media director and journalist has won a legal challenge on Tuesday against the government’s decision to revoke his visa. https://t.co/KrJmYLzoCh
“Sadly, it took so long to get justice that I had to move on to other work, but this is a crucial principle that had to be defended.”
The use of bureaucratic measures to meddle in private business decisions and stifle our free and independent media is unacceptable in a free and democratic society,” he said.
“I’m grateful to the owners of the Daily Post and to all my colleagues and friends there who have never wavered in their stalwart defence of our right to chart our own course,” he said.
“This is a big win for the Daily Post, and a big win for independent media in Vanuatu.”
McGarry said it was not known whether a state appeal is forthcoming.
RNZ Pacific has contacted the Vanuatu’s labour office for comment.
Some happy personal/professional news: The Daily Post has won its case against the government for blocking my work permit back in 2019. It’s a bit late for me, as I’ve moved on, but it’s a critical rebuff to governments who use bureaucratic measures to stifle media freedom pic.twitter.com/SRrlRJl17Y
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
Editor’s Comment: Dan McGarry has been a valued contributor to Asia Pacific Report for several years. We congratulate him and the Vanuatu Daily Post for this victory for media freedom in Vanuatu and the Pacific.
A meeting of the Caledonian Union, one of the partners in the FLNKS . . . "The electoral citizens body is irreversible from the Noumea Accord." Image: RNZ Pacific/FLNKS-Officiel FB
By Jan Kohout
New Caledonia’s Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS) say they will tell the French Prime Minister of the Kanak people’s “sense of humiliation” over the last independence referendum.
The pro-independence alliance is set to talk to the French state from April 7-15.
The secretary-general of the Caledonian Union, Pascal Sawa, told La Premiere television they need to discuss what happened in the referendum vote in 2021, which was boycotted by the indigenous Kanak people due to the effects of the covid-19 pandemic.
“The first thing to discuss is the conflict in relation to December 12, 2021,” he said.
“We cannot ignore what happened then. The state says there is a right for independence and that the accord is now past.
“We don’t believe it has finished because we feel still feel a sense of humiliation.”
In Paris, the alliance is set to meet French Prime Minister Elizabeth Borne.
In a statement, the FLNKS said they would discuss crucial topics such as the restricted electoral roll based on the Noumea Accord of 1998 which allows only people with 18 years presence in the territory to vote.
“The FLNKS reaffirms that the electoral citizens body is irreversible from the Noumea Accord, and that its modification could break the social peace in the country.”
They will also choose the next phase in order to progress the Noumea Accord, which in the eyes of the FLNKS remains unfinished.
“The next phase is how we will come out constructively of the Noumea Accord to rebuild something that resembles us and that brings the people of New Caledonia together,” the statement said.
The FLNKS statement affirms that all future discussions about the future of the country will be decided and acted in New Caledonia not France.
‘We will not reproduce the Accords’ New Caledonia’s High Commissioner Louis Le Franc said that France would not reproduce the Noumea Accords.
Seven months after taking his role in Noumea, the commissioner said he was optimistic about future trilateral discussions.
He said it was a shame the last meeting did not involve the anti-independence side.
“We are in a period, post-Noumea Accord, we will not reproduce the accords and we will hopefully find an intelligent solution for the sake of future generations.
“The French Minister of the Interior and French Overseas Minister only have one voice, therefore the framework put down is very hard to be respected.”
Jan Kohout is a RNZ Pacific journalist. This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
Vanuatu's Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau speaks before the "historic" vote on a resolution aimed at fighting global warming at the UN General Assembly in New York. Image: RNZ Pacific/Ed Jones/AFP
The UN General Assembly has adopted a Vanuatu-led resolution calling for an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on climate change and human rights.
The resolution was tabled by Vanuatu and a core group of 17 countries, aiming to clarify what the obligations of states are in protecting the rights of current and future generations from the adverse effects of climate change.
The motion, sponsored by more than 130 countries, was greeted with cheers.
The ICJ will now prepare an advisory opinion that could be cited in climate court cases.
Vanuatu is one of the worst-affected nations affected by the climate crisis. Earlier this month, the country was hit by two Category 4 tropical cyclones in less than five days, which is estimated to cost Vanuatu more than half of its annual gross domestic product.
“Today we have witnessed a win for climate justice of epic proportions,” said Vanuatu Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau.
“Vanuatu sees today’s historic resolution as the beginning of a new era in multilateral climate cooperation, one that is more fully focused on upholding the rule of international law and an era that places human rights and inter-generational equity at the forefront of climate decision-making,” he said.
“The very fact that a small Pacific island nation like Vanuatu was able to successfully spearhead such a transformative outcome speaks to the incredible support from all corners of the globe.”
Vanuatu Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau . . . “I celebrate today with the people of Vanuatu, who are still reeling from the devastation from two back-to-back cyclones this month.” Image: Vanuatu govt
Kalsakau said he was celebrating the move but sees it is a “win” for the nation.
“I celebrate today with the people of Vanuatu, who are still reeling from the devastation from two back-to-back cyclones this month, caused by the fossil fuels and greenhouse emissions that they are not responsible for. To my people, today shows us that the world stands with Vanuatu.
“This celebration is a win for the rule of law, for protecting human rights, for improving multilateral climate cooperation, for climate justice and for acting with ambition to address the planetary climate crisis.
Vanuatu’s Climate Change Minister Ralph Regenvanu called the move “a shift in narrative which may yield greater climate action and ambition among all states in the global community”.
Youth can play a part in saving planet Pacific Island Students Fighting Climate Change played a key role in the campaign, and spokesman Solomon Yeo said the move shows that Pacific youth can play a part in tackling climate change.
“Today we celebrate four years of arduous work in convincing our leaders and raising global awareness on the initiative. We commend the undying support of our Pacific civil society organisations, communities, and youth who, without their support, we would not have ventured this far,” he said.
“The adopted resolution is a testament that Pacific youth can play an instrumental role in advancing global climate action.
“This further solidifies why young people’s voices must remain an integral part of the process. Now the first stage is over, we look to join hand-in-hand with governments and partners in bringing the world’s biggest problem to the world’s highest court.”
Pacific Island Students Fighting Climate Change . . . “Today we celebrate four years of arduous work in convincing our leaders and raising global awareness on the initiative.” Image: Pacific Island Students Fighting Climate Change
Oxfam Aotearoa has congratulated the student group for its role in the campaign.
Its climate justice lead, Nick Henry, said the world’s governments, especially in rich countries, must urgently take stronger action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and stop the climate crisis getting worse.
He said a strong opinion from the International Court of Justice would help to hold governments to account on their obligations to act.
“To put this into perspective, the last comparable opinion was in 1996, when, after a long campaign from civil society, the ICJ issued an advisory opinion on nuclear weapons that was critical to nuclear disarmament and keeping the Pacific nuclear free.”
The UN Human Rights chief Volker Türk said the resolution could be an important catalyst for the “urgent, ambitious and equitable climate action that is needed to stop global heating” and to limit and remediate climate-induced human rights harms.
The core group of countries behind the resolution also includes Pacific nations Federated States of Micronesia, Samoa and New Zealand, as well as Angola, Antigua & Barbuda, Bangladesh, Costa Rica, Germany, Liechtenstein, Morocco, Mozambique, Portugal, Romania, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Uganda, and Vietnam.
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
West Papuans in a solidarity fundraising rally to support for the victims of this month's tropical cyclones in Vanuatu . . . "Vanuatu is being punished" by the climate crisis. Image: ULMWP
Twenty West Papuans who were fundraising for the victims of tropical cyclones in Vanuatu were today arrested by Indonesian police in Jayapura, the Papuan provincial capital, claims a West Papuan advocacy group.
“This was a peaceful, compassionate action, with Papuans taking to the streets to raise money for those affected by this latest Pacific natural disaster,” said Benny Wenda, interim president of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), in a statement.
“The Indonesian response was to disband the march at the barrel of a gun.
“Armed Indonesian police sought to block activists at several points, forcibly disrupted the procession, and eventually conducted a series of arbitrary arrests.”
Vanuatu was hit by two successive cyclones within 24 hours earlier this month. Homes and schools were destroyed, many were forced to flee to evacuation centres, and people lost access to water and electricity for several days.
West Papuans see ni-Vanuatu as “family” — “we naturally want to support them in their hour of need, just as they have always supported us in ours,” said Wenda.
“By criminalising this act of solidarity, Indonesia has demonstrated it will not accept any form of Papuan assembly or self-expression.”
Not political protest
Wenda said this was not a political protest. Participants did not raise the Morning Star flag or call for independence.
“They only raised awareness and money for a fellow black Melanesian nation that has always supported the West Papuan struggle.
“Indonesia, like the ULMWP, is a member of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) along with Vanuatu. They have an obligation to allow West Papuans to raise money to stop the suffering of their fellow member.”
Indonesia has behaved like this before.
In March 2015, after Vanuatu was hit by a large cyclone, Papuans in the Yahukimo regency held a similar solidarity fundraiser. In response, police violently broke up the meeting, shooting six Papuan civilians and killing one.
“We must remember that climate change is the sole reason Vanuatu is so vulnerable to cyclones and other natural disasters. Despite producing zero carbon emissions, Vanuatu is being punished for the actions of rich countries and big corporations,” Wenda said.
“West Papuans stand with all Pacific nations in our joint fight against this existential threat. Our island is the lung of the world, with its third largest rainforest and thousands of unique plants and animals.
“To fight for climate justice we must also fight for West Papuan independence and the fulfillment of our Green State Vision.”
Wenda said he also wanted to alert the world about the alleged murder of another Papuan child. Enius Tabuni, a 12-year-old boy, was killed by Indonesian soldiers who then videoed his dead body, branded him as “OPM” — the Papuan Freedom Movement.
“The way that Tabuni was killed is the logical conclusion of Indonesia labelling OPM and all Papuan resistance fighters as ‘terrorists’. If we are stigmatised as terrorists, then we can be killed like terrorists.”
“By criminalising this act of solidarity, Indonesia has demonstrated it will not accept any form of Papuan assembly or self-expression,” says ULMWP president Benny Wenda. A wall poster displays the Vanuatu flag. Image: ULMWP
Tabuni was not OPM — he was a schoolboy, said Wenda.
“His death is a continuation of the last few years, as Indonesian occupation forces have committed unprecedented atrocities against civilians,” he said. Other incidents cited:
“None of these people were combatants. The Indonesian occupation kills all West Papuans equally.”
‘Deliberately targeting’ youth
In an attempt to crush the Papuan spirit, Indonesia was “deliberately targeting” the next generation of West Papuans, Wenda claimed.
“This kind of military violence is the reason that 100,000 West Papuans have been forcibly displaced since 2019, and why tens of thousands are still in the bush, unable to return to their homes,” he said.
Wenda reiterated his call for Indonesia to immediately withdraw their military from West Papua.
“Demilitarising West Papua is a precondition for this situation to be resolved peacefully. They must also release all 20 Papuans arrested today, alongside all political prisoners including Victor Yeimo.
“International journalists must be allowed to report on West Papua.
“Lastly, I repeat the call of 84 countries for Indonesia to finally allow the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit West Papua.”
This was an important moment for the world to reflect on what Indonesia was doing to West Papua, Wenda said.
“In reclaiming our sovereignty, we are aiming to restore our fundamental human rights – the right to show solidarity, to exercise freedom of assembly, and the rights of our children to live without fear.”
The Jakarta government had not responded at press time.
While still on-air, O’Brien said the station had not been given a chance.
Staff had been told they had the support of the chief executive, the board, the executive “and they have f…..d us”, she said.
Garner responded: “This is betrayal.”
Crying staff
“He said other staff had joined the two radio hosts in the studio and several of them were crying.
“Radio is one of those projects, where you have to settle in, and slowly but surely get your numbers, get your ratings, get your revenue,” Garner said.
He said the company was “bleeding cash”.
A short time later the station began playing music.
Show producer Tom Day tweeted that the Mediaworks board had made a proposal to shut down Today FM.
“They have given us only until the end of this afternoon to make submissions. I have no words.”
Story time/names withheld. This happened on air a few years ago at an LA station. Whole station remained, DJs live and on air were told “You’re fired. Get off air and off our property.” Escorted off studio premises by security. Man I thought only here in LA. Guess not. Rough. https://t.co/wSzVKX8x2T
— BadReligionTina – @badreligion’s lil sis. (@BadReligionTina) March 29, 2023
‘Gutting’ to be axed Day told RNZ it was gutting to have their station axed by Mediaworks.
He confirmed the Mediaworks board had proposed to close down the Today FM Brand in a meeting this morning.
He wished they had been given more time to build their brand after being on the air for just over a year.
He said staff had attended a meeting with Palmer and HR staff this morning and it seemed clear the station would be shut down.
“It’s pretty much a done deal.”
Staff had been told there was a five-year plan for the station but instead it looked like it would close after just one year.
“We feel pretty gutted and let down,” he said.
‘Serious uncertainty’
A story on Today FM’s website says it is facing “serious uncertainty”.
It also references the appearance just before 9am of its key broadcasters Garner and O’Brien who went on air and used a swear word banned in most circumstances by the Broadcasting Standards Authority to describe their current situation.
In the on-air segment O’Brien said that following the resignation of Mediaworks head of news Dallas Gurney, soon after the sudden departure of chief executive Cam Wallace, the team had not been able to get the same level of assurance from the board or acting chief executive Wendy Palmer about the future of the radio station.
“We’ve got to hold out hope here, but we’re scared,” she said.
Today FM Co-host Duncan Garner . . . “This is betrayal.” Image: RNZ/Screenshot/AM
Station-wide meeting
A station-wide meeting had been called with Palmer, the story said.
In a statement, Palmer said: “This morning at the MediaWorks board’s request, we have taken Today FM off air while we consult with the team about the future of the station.
“This is a difficult time for the team and our priority is supporting them as we work through this process.”
She said more information would be released at a later date.
MediaWorks also operates the Edge, the Breeze, Mai FM and the Rock among other stations.
Media commentator blames poor ratings RNZ Mediawatch commentator Colin Peacock told Midday Report the company had spent a reported $6 million to $9 million to set up Today FM in a bid to compete with talkback radio market leader NewstalkZB.
The station needed to build its own news operation because Newshub and the TV channels had been sold to Discovery in 2021.
“The ratings didn’t work out bluntly over the past year,” he said.
The departures of Wallace and Gurney within the last month meant the biggest supporters of the station had left and current management was determined to cut costs.
He said “there was a lot to sort out” because the company would want to use the frequency and there would probably need to be payouts to any staff made redundant.
“They’ve really burned bridges with their staff so there will be fallout from this that will be financial as well.”
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
The Fiji Times . . . A move to replace Fiji's 2010 media law with a new one was strongly opposed during public consultations by local journalists and media organisations. Image: Sally Round/The Fiji Times
By Kelvin Anthony
The Fiji government has announced it will repeal the controversial Media Industry Development Act 2010.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said cabinet had approved the tabling of a bill to repeal the Act “as a whole.”
“The decision is pursuant to the People’s Coalition Government’s commitment to the growth and development of a strong and independent news media in the country,” said Rabuka in his post-cabinet meeting update.
“It has been said that ‘media freedom and freedom of expression is the oxygen of democracy’,” he said.
“These fundamental freedoms are integral to enable the people to hold their government accountable.
“I am proud to stand here today to make this announcement, which was key to our electoral platform, and a demand that I heard echoed in all parts of the country that I visited,” he added.
The announcement comes just days after Rabuka’s government introduced a new draft legislation to replace the act.
Strongly opposed
The move to replace the 2010 media law with a new one was strongly opposed during public consultations by local journalists and media organisations.
They said there was no need for new legislation to control the media and called for a “total repeal” of the existing regulation.
The country’s Deputy Prime Minister, Manoa Kamikamica, told RNZ Pacific last Friday that there were areas of concern that local stakeholders had raised during the consultation session of the proposed new bill.
“We hear what the industry is saying, we will make some assessments and then make a final decision,” he said.
But Rabuka’s announcement today means that the decision has been made.
RNZ Pacific has contacted the Fijian Media Association for comment.
‘Good decision’ but investment needed University of the South Pacific head of journalism programme Associate Professor Shailendra Singh said the announcement was expected.
Dr Singh said repealing the punitive legislation was a core election platform promise of the three challenger parties which are now in power.
“This is a good decision because the Fijian media and other stakeholders were not sufficiently consulted when the decree was promulgated in June 2010.”
But he said while getting rid of the media act was welcomed, the coalition was working on a new legislation and “we have to wait and see what that looks like”.
“The media act was dead in the water or redundant before the change in government. The new government could not have implemented it after coming to power, having criticised it and campaigned against it in their election campaign,” he said.
“Repealing the act removes the fear factor prevalent in the sector for nearly 13 years now.”
Dr Singh said the government had committed to the growth and development of a strong news media.
Public good investment
But that, he said, would require more than the repeal of the act.
“[Improving standards] will require some financial investments by the state since media organisations are struggling financially due to the digital disruption followed by covid.”
He said among the many challenges, the media industry was struggling to retain staff.
“So incentives like government scholarships specifically in the media sector could be one way of helping out.
“Media is a public good and like any public good government should invest in it for the benefit of the public.”
Kelvin Anthony is RNZ Pacific lead digital and social media journalist. This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
Indonesian security forces' assault on West Papuan rebels triggers a counter-attack. Image: Tabloid Jubi
By Finau Fonua and Koroi Hawkins
Indonesian security forces in Papua last week launched an offensive against the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) command holding New Zealand pilot Philip Mehrtens hostage, RNZ Pacific can confirm.
The operation was launched at 1am local time on Thursday, March 23, in Nduga.
It triggered a retaliatory attack from the pro-independence fighters with several casualties now confirmed by both sides.
The TPNPB issued a statement on Sunday confirming the attack and said the operation violated the New Zealand government’s request for “no violence”.
The rebel group said their district commander in Nduga, Egianus Kogoya, who led the capture of Mehrtens, was among those attacked by Indonesian forces.
They said one of their members was killed during the attack, but also claimed they had shot four Indonesian security personnel, killing one soldier and one police officer.
It is not clear at this stage if Mehrtens — who has been held captive for the last 50 days — was present in the jungle hideout which was targeted.
Indonesian security forces launch attack on West Papua National Liberation Army rebels holding NZ pilot hostage near Nduga. Image: RNZ Pacific
Verified by Human Rights Watch
Some details of the joint statement from the political and militant wing of the West Papua Freedom movement (OPM) about the attack have been corroborated by Human Rights Watch Indonesia.
“I have verified that statement by checking what the Indonesian police and also Papuan police have reported,” Andreas Harsono told RNZ Pacific.
Speaking from Jakarta, the human rights watch researcher said there had been a series of clashes between Indonesian security forces and Indigenous Papuan militant groups.
He said the conflict has been ongoing in the central and highlands Papua region over the past week.
“It is confirmed that it began with the attack against a West Papua National Liberation Army’s so-called headquarters — I guess this is a jungle hideout — on Thursday, March 23 1am,” Andreas Harsono said.
The struggle for West Papuan independence has been raging for 60 years since Indonesian paratroopers invaded the region while it was still a Dutch colony.
RNZ Pacific has contacted the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs for comment.
Fijian media stakeholders at the public consultation on the Media Ownership and Regulation Bill 2023 in Suva on 23 March 2023. Photo: Fijian Media Association
By Kelvin Anthony
The Fiji government is signalling that it will not completely tear down the country’s controversial media law which, according to local newsrooms and journalism commentators, has stunted press freedom and development for more than a decade.
Ahead of the 2022 general elections last December, all major opposition parties campaigned to get rid of the Media Industry Development Act (MIDA) 2010 — brought in by the Bainimarama administration — if they got into power.
The change in government after 16 years following the polls brought a renewed sense of hope for journalists and media outlets.
But now almost 100 days in charge it appears Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s coalition is backtracking on its promise to get rid of the punitive law, a move that has been condemned by the industry stakeholders.
“The government is totally committed to allowing people the freedom of the press that will include the review of the Media Act,” Rabuka said during a parliamentary session last month.
“I believe we cannot have a proper democracy without a free press which has been described as the oxygen of democracy,” he said.
Rabuka has denied that his government is backtracking on an election promise.
“Reviewing could mean eventually repealing it,” he told RNZ Pacific in February.
“We have to understand how it [media act] is faring in this modern day of media freedom. How have other administrations advance their own association with the media,” he said.
He said he intended to change it which means “review and make amendments to it”.
“The coalition has given an assurance that we will end that era of media oppression. We are discussing new legislation that reflects more democratic values.”
And last week, that discussion happened for the first time when consultations on a refreshed version of a draft regulation began in Suva as the government introduced the Media Ownership and Registration Bill 2023.
The bill is expected to “address issues that are undemocratic, threatens freedom of expression, and hinders the growth and development of a strong and independent news media in Fiji.”
The proposed law will amend the MIDA Act by removing the punitive clauses on content regulation that threatens journalists with heavy fines and jail terms.
“The bill is not intended as a complete reform of Fiji’s media law landscape,” according to the explanations provided by the government.
No need for government involvement But the six-page proposed regulation is not what the media industry needs, according to the University of the South Pacific’s head of journalism programme Associate Professor Shailendra Singh.
Associate Professor Shailendra Singh . . . “We have argued there is no need for legislation.” Image: RNZ Pacific
“We have argued there is no need for legislation,” he said during the public consultation on the bill last Thursday.
“The existing laws are sufficient but if there has to be a legislation there should be minimum or no government involvement at all,” he said.
The Fijian Media Association (FMA) has also expressed strong opposition against the bill and is calling for the MIDA Act to be repealed.
“If there is a need for another legislation, then government can convene fresh consultation with stakeholders if these issues are not adequately addressed in other current legislation,” the FMA, which represents almost 150 working journalists in Fiji, stated.
Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, FMA executive member and Communications Fiji Ltd news director Vijay Narayan said “we want a total repeal” of the Media Act.
“We believe that it was brought about without consultation at all…it was shoved down our throats,” Narayan said.
“We have worked with it for 16 years. We have been staring at the pointy end of the spear and we continue to work hard to build our industry despite the challenges we face.”
‘Restrictions stunts growth’ He said the Fiji’s media industry “needs investment” to improve its standards.
Narayan said the FMA acknowledged that the issue of content regulation was addressed in the new law.
But “with the restrictions in investment that also stunts our growth as media workers,” he added.
“The fact that it will be controlled by politicians there is a real fear. What if we have reporting on something and the politician feels that the organisation that is registered should be reregistered.”
The FMA has also raised concerns about the provisions in relation to cross-media ownership and foreign ownership as key issues that impacts on media development and creates an unequal playing field.
Sections 38 and 39 of the Media Act impose restrictions on foreign ownership on local local media organisations and cross-media ownership.
According to a recent analysis of the Act co-authored by Dr Singh, they are a major impediment to media development and need to be re-examined.
“It would be prudent to review the media ownership situation and reforms periodically, every four-five years, to gauge the impact, and address any issues, that may have arisen,” the report recommends.
Fijian media stakeholders at the public consultation on the Media Ownership and Regulation Bill 2023 in Suva on 23 March 2023. Image: Fijian Media Association/RNZ Pacific
But Suva lawyer and coalition government adviser Richard Naidu is of the view that all issues in respect to the news media should be opened up.
Naidu, who has helped draft the proposed new legislation, said it “has preserved the status quo” and the rules of cross-ownership and foreign media ownership were left as they were in the Media Act.
“Is that right? That is a question of opinion…because before the [MIDA Act] there were no rules on cross-media ownership, there were no rules on foreign media ownership.”
Naidu said the MIDA Act was initially introduced as a bill and media had two hours to to offer its views on it before its implementation.
“So, which status quo ought to be preserved; the one before the [MIDA Act] was imposed or the one as it stands right now. Those are legitimate questions.”
“There is a whole range of things which need to be reviewed and which will probably take a bit of time.”
Kelvin Anthony is RNZ Pacific lead digital and social media journalist This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
