22 May 2008

Alert

Journalist reporting on government scandal receives death threats


Incident details

journalist(s)

death threat
(PINA/IFEX) - PINA president Joseph Ealedona has condemned the use of death threats against journalists. His condemnation follows reports that a Papua New Guinea (PNG) journalist reporting on the Taiwan/PNG diplomatic cash scandal has been the target of death threats and has had to be moved to a safe location.

The "Post Courier" newspaper has blamed supporters of PNG's government for the threats.

Taiwan is investigating the disappearance of US$30 million earmarked for PNG as a reward for Port Moresby establishing diplomatic ties with Taipei. Several PNG government officials have been named as having met with the Taiwanese middlemen who are implicated in the deal.

Ealedona, who is also the head of PNG's National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), said journalists expect to be in the firing line at times in their career.

"Journalists are only doing their job. If people out there know the truth, then tell the journalists. We're the mouthpiece for the people and it's not good for threats to be issued toward journalists. The best thing that any person can do is tell us the truth."



Source:

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