The President of the Pacific Island News Association, Mr Kora Nou has urged the Government of Nauru and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) to use the ‘Pacific Way’ to resolve the current misunderstanding between them.
“If current media reports are indeed true about the ABC being denied entry to Nauru to cover the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Summit in Nauru, we appeal to the Government of Nauru to rescind its decision and allow ABC journalists to cover this meeting in September.
“This is the highest political gathering where our regional leaders, as well as regional media, look forward to attending every year.
“The PIF arrangement is close to the hearts of the Pacific people and I’m pretty confident that if both parties sat down in our own unique Pacific Way and discussed the matter, it will be amicably resolved,” Mr Nou said from Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
He said the PIF Leaders’ Summit has traditionally discussed issues that directly impact on the lives of the people of the Pacific and the regional media has played an equally important part in disseminating these decisions to our people.
“The Australian people and government also have an obvious and important stake in the PIF discussions, both at the officials and Leaders’ level, and would appreciate knowing from the media what will be discussed in Nauru in September.
“It is therefore imperative that the PIF Secretariat, the Government of Nauru and the ABC sit down together immediately to understand and resolve this matter.
“PINA also appeals to our media colleagues around the Pacific to always exercise responsibility in our coverage of domestic and regional issues,” Mr Nou said.
“PINA is working collegiately to strengthen democratic institutions in the Pacific. The media must be allowed to play its role in disseminating independent, accurate and impartial information.
“PNG is hosting the APEC summit later this year and will be welcoming all the world’s media. The Pacific is on display and can be proud of its media diversity and efforts to strengthen our communities through dialogue and communication.”
“Finally, PINA editorial leaders are always available to bring parties together to discuss their differences in the Pacific Way to try to resolve issues like this, said the PINA President.
PINA is also waiting the decision of the Nauru Government on the media accreditation application of its ten journalists who are funded to cover the 49th Forum Leaders’ Summit in Nauru from 3-6 September.
Photo PINA. Caption. PINA President Kora Nou