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Category: Attack on media

  • IFJ condemns deputy PM’s comments as threat to NZ press freedom

    Pacific Media Watch

    Journalists and media workers have criticised comments made by Aotearoa New Zealand’s newly-elected Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters — who claimed that a 2020 Labour government media funding initiative constituted “bribery” — as a threat to media freedom.

    The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) reports that it has joined its union affiliate, E Tū, in strongly disputing Peters’s comments, and urging the minister and other politicians to uphold New Zealand’s “proud tradition of press freedom”.

    Peters has repeatedly accused reporters of receiving bribes and engaging in corrupt practices.

    Peters’ remarks relate to the participation of several media outlets, public broadcasters, and media initiatives in the Public Interest Journalism Fund (PIJF), a media support programme established in the wake of the covid-19 pandemic.

    Speaking to journalists covering the first cabinet meeting of New Zealand’s new government on November 28, Peters asked journalists what they “had to sign before they get the money”, criticising the media professionals present for their perceived lack of transparency.

    That same day, Peters claimed he was “at war” with the mainstream media, reports the IFJ.

    On November 27, Peters accused the state-owned broadcasters Radio New Zealand (RNZ) and Television New Zealand (TVNZ) of accepting bribery, questioning their editorial independence and calling the funding initiative indefensible.

    On November 24, Peters criticised media covering the new coalition’s signing ceremony for failing to give enough media coverage before the election, calling the journalists “mathematical morons”.

    Avoided reporters’ questions
    Since the release of the final election results on November 3, Peters has avoided questions from political reporters.

    Peters is the only coalition leader to have not engaged with political reporters since the results were confirmed.

    The PIJF was designed to address the dramatic ad revenue drop-off in 2020. The fund provided NZ$55 million (US$34 million) from 2021 and 2023 and was designed to support local news initiatives, specific projects, trainings, and public interest media.

    On November 23, Peters, alongside the conservative National Party leader Christopher Luxon, who is now Prime Minister, and the libertarian ACT party, announced the formation of New Zealand’s sixth National-led government, following elections in October.

    The E Tū said in a statement: “By spreading misinformation and supporting conspiracy theories, Mr Peters is placing journalists at risk. We urge Mr Peters, as well as other senior politicians and public figures, to support and protect our independent media, not attack it.

    “While journalists strongly reject Mr Peters’ claims, we will all continue to cover him, New Zealand First, and all parties in an unbiased way.

    “The media has an important role to play in a democracy, holding politicians to account and acting as a watchdog for the community.

    “Our journalists’ daily work helps support and protect an environment of free debate and wide-ranging input, and we hope and trust all our political leaders’ efforts do, too.”

    The IFJ said:“Peters’ ‘war’ on journalism is deeply concerning, especially from the deputy leader of a democratic nation.

    “Misinformation spread by a senior political leader can validate dangerous conspiracy theories, and can endanger journalists and media workers. The IFJ strongly urges New Zealand’s senior politicians to uphold press freedom.”

    This post was originally published on Asia Pacific Report.

  • Media Council condemns ‘mob rule’ to intimidate female students, media at UPNG

    Pacific Media Watch newsdesk

    The Media Council of Papua New Guinea has condemned an attack by male students at the University of Papua New Guinea on a media team covering a protest staged by female students on Tuesday, reports the PNG Post-Courier.

    The council said that the actions of these students was an act against Article 11 of the International Human Rights Act, which talks about Freedom of Assembly and Association, and Sections 46, 47 and 55 of the country’s Constitution, which talks about the freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and association and equality of citizens.

    The council is disappointed that these male students, who are supposed to be part of the elite of our tertiary student population, could use a mob rule approach, to harass and intimidate their female colleagues as well as the media.

    The students were protesting against increased incidents of harassment against female students, and media representatives were there doing their job.

    MCPNG is also saddened that the students who profess to come from a premier university in the Pacific could act in such an ignorant, rowdy manner and protect would-be criminals and sexual predators in the country’s leading university under the pretext of safeguarding the institution’s reputation.

    The council believes strongly that continued coverage and exposure of ongoing social problems such as this, will help concerned authorities and the university administration address them, to make the university improve its image and reputation for the better.

    MCPNG is now calling on the university administration and the council to immediately look into this matter and to ensure that female students’ safety and wellbeing on campus is guaranteed.

    Republished with permission.

    This post was originally published on Asia Pacific Report.

  • Angry male student mob targets media over UPNG sexual abuse protest

    By Charlie Dumavi in Port Moresby

    Women students at the University of Papua New Guinea silently suffering from persistent sexual harassment and abuse in the vicinity of the Waigani campus have become as national issue with a protest leading to a clash with media.

    The issue was brought to public attention when a woman student was held up by a group of about 10 male students in front of the Toluan female dormitory when a male student grabbed her butt and her breast.

    Her friend posted on Facebook condemning the sexual harassment. The post was shared and attracted much criticism of male students of UPNG.

    Women students then staged a mini peaceful protest at Waigani campus with the media invitated to show their frustration about the treatment from a minority of male students. They also wanted the administration to address the issue.

    Some male students attempted to prevent the protest from happening and the media from reporting it.

    UPNG Student Representative Council (SRC) women’s vice-president Nancy Poglau, leading her fellow students during the protest with tears yesterday, cried out to the student body and the administration that the issue had been faced by female students for many years.

    “We want to address this issue. We want our voices to be heard. We came to UPNG because of our knowledge and why are you harassing us?” she asked.

    “Most male students don’t harass females on the campus but those few who are doing this — please see us as your sisters and mothers.

    “We must put an end to this issue.”


    The UPNG protest meeting today. Video: Michael Kabuni


    Angry mob attacks media
    The forum was interrupted by an angry mob of male students that verbally insulted and attempted to physically harass media workers comprising a journalist, camera man and photographers from several media organisations.

    The media workers were chased on foot by a group from UPNG’s Forum square to the new Student Services office.

    University security and administration staff were present but were overpowered by the mob.

    The mob demanded the media not give coverage to the issue, saying that it was an “internal matter” and would be dealt with by the UPNG administration.

    The media workers left the scene without harm.

    Charlie Dumavi is a PNG Bulletin journalist.

    Some 'good men' students
    A placard displayed by women students shows not all male students at UPNG harass female harassing female students on campus. Image: Charlie Dumavi/PNG Bulletin

    This post was originally published on Asia Pacific Report.

  • Male students at UPNG attack media for reporting on sexual harassment

    By Jemimah Sukbat in Port Moresby

    A group of male students attacked the media covering a harassment protest by female students at the University of Papua New Guinea today.

    The rowdy group said they did not want the media to report on an issue of sexual and physical harassment by males, claiming it was an “internal matter”.

    Media personnel were made aware of the protest that was to take place on campus.

    They showed up to capture what the female student protesters wanted to addressabout the continuous harassment by some male students.

    After the female students had marched from the Games Village into the university’s Forum square, a group of rowdy male students also entered the area and charged angrily at journalists, cameramen and photographers, demanding that they leave.

    Members of the governing University Council were present, but were outnumbered and were unable to contain the clash as it escalated.

    The frustrated male students said the media did not need to be there to cover an issue that could be solved internally.

    Media personnel were unharmed.

    The PNG Media Council is expected to release a statement condemning the attack.

    Jemimah Sukbat is a reporter for Loop PNG.

    This post was originally published on Asia Pacific Report.

  • ‘Give us 10 minutes’ – how Israel bombed a Gaza media tower

    By Colin Peacock, Mediawatch presenter

    So many Palestinians have died in the attacks on Gaza in the past fortnight – and people in Israel too from fire going the other way – it seems churlish to highlight the plight of the media.

    But the Israelis taking down the HQ of major media outlets in Gaza last weekend was extraordinary.

    The owner of the Jalaa Tower housing international media said an Israeli intelligence officer warned him by phone that he had just one hour to ensure that the building was evacuated. His plea for “10 extra minutes”, broadcast live by Al Jazeera, was denied.

    AP’s footage of their staff bugging out of the building in a hurry was chilling too – before the destruction of the tower by jets, also covered live on TV:

    It’s extraordinary but not unprecedented.

    During the Sarajevo siege in 1992, hotels housing international journalists were targeted  – but so was much of the central city at the time.

    In November 2001, the Kabul office of Al Jazeera was destroyed by a missile fired by a US warplane. Al Jazeera’s Baghdad office was hit by a missile fired by a US jet in 2003, killing one reporter and wounding another person.

    The US copped a lot of flak for that – and it hasn’t been forgotten. Israel seems more than willing to cop the criticism.

    The US news agency Associated Press was also headquartered in the same tower, and also the London-based online outlet Middle East Eye .

    To enable them to continue working, Agence France-Presse has opened its Gaza office to AP and Al Jazeera.

    The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists demanded from the Israeli government a “detailed and documented justification for this military attack”.

    “This latest attack on a building long known by Israel to house international media raises the spectre that the Israel Defence Forces is deliberately targeting media facilities in order to disrupt coverage of the human suffering in Gaza,” said CPJ executive director Joel Simon.

    “Journalists have an obligation and duty to cover unfolding events in Gaza and it would be illegal for the IDF to use military means to prevent it.”

    Gaza spills over into coverage of sport
    When Leicester City won the English FA cup final on Sunday, two players posed with a Palestinian flag. The TV pictures were only fleeting but — the images went round the world on social media:

    Meanwhile in Melbourne, Wellington Phoenix’s Israeli striker Tomer Hemed was cautioned by the referee for putting out a kippah as part of a goal celebration — and he charged into the arms of fans with Israeli flags after scoring a penalty. That certainly got noticed in Australia too.

    When the Phoenix came home on Monday, media wanted to talk to Hemed — but had to make do with putting awkward questions to general manager David Dome instead at the airport.

    He said Hemed’s celebrations were “a plea for peace.”

    NZME sports writer Michael Burgess said Tomer Hemed is “not playing for Israel at the moment – he’s playing for the Phoenix – and needed to be more respectful of his club and the optics around that and has put them in an awkward situation”.

    “Hemed also needs to be respectful towards Australia and New Zealand, where the majority of people probably have a vastly different view to his own about the current conflict, especially the Israeli concept of ‘defending’ their nation with strikes that cause untold collateral damage, including sleeping children in their beds,” he added.

    Football authorities take a take a dim view of political posturing on the pitch. But Black Lives Matter has changed the game and emboldened players now they know they have the power.

    It also puts the broadcasters in an awkward position.

    Sports authorities will want them to treat players making personal/political/nationalistic statements like streaking or fan violence – and turn the cameras away.

    But is that a form of censorship?

    Some networks suffered blowback in the US for showing sports people taking a knee in support of BLM – but showed the scenes anyway.  And what if the cameras never showed the 1968 Olympic Black Power protest salute?

    This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

    This post was originally published on Asia Pacific Report.

  • RSF asks ICC if Israeli airstrikes on media in Gaza are war crimes

    A building that has housed international media offices including Al Jazeera’s in the Gaza Strip was hit by an Israeli air strike that totally demolished the structure. Video: Al Jazeera

    Pacific Media Watch newsdesk

    Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has called on International Criminal Court chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda to include Israeli air strikes on more than 20 media outlets in the Gaza Strip in her investigation into the attacks on the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

    Targeted Israeli airforce attacks have destroyed the premises of 23 Palestinian and international media outlets in the past week, reports the Paris-based global media freedom watchdog Reporters Without Borders.

    The latest airstrikes destroyed the offices of the US-based news agency Associated Press and the Qatari-based global TV broadcaster Al Jazeera.

    According to the Israeli military, these attacks were justified because the “military intelligence” wing of Hamas, the Gaza Strip’s ruling Islamist movement, had equipment in this building.

    “Deliberately targeting media outlets constitutes a war crime,” RSF secretary-general Christophe Deloire said.

    “By intentionally destroying media outlets, the Israel Defence Forces are not only inflicting unacceptable material damage on news operations.

    “They are also, more broadly, obstructing media coverage of a conflict that directly affects the civilian population. We call on the International Criminal Court’s prosecutor to determine whether these airstrikes constitute war crimes.”

    First Israeli attack on media
    The first Israeli attack on media outlets occurred four days ago, after Hamas fired a series of rockets into Israel.

    In the early hours of May 12, Israeli airstrikes destroyed the Al Jawhara Tower, a 10-storey building in Gaza City that housed 14 media outlets, including the Palestine Daily News newspaper and the pan-Arab TV channel Al-Araby.

    The next day, an Israeli airstrike destroyed Gaza City’s Al Shorouk Tower, a 14-storey building that housed seven media outlets, including the Al Aqsa radio and TV broadcaster.

    The IDF claimed it was “striking Hamas weapons stores hidden inside civilian buildings in Gaza”.

    Israel is ranked 86th out of 180 countries in RSF’s 2021 World Press Freedom Index.

    Al Jazeera bombed
    On May 15 in Gaza,the offices of the US news agency Associated Press, and the Qatari TV broadcaster Al Jazeera were destroyed by targeted Israeli airstrikes. Image: Mahmud Hams/RSF/AFP

    This post was originally published on Asia Pacific Report.

  • Palestine: Hold Israel accountable for crimes against journalists, says IFJ

    Pacific Media Watch newsdesk

    Media offices have been bombed and Palestinian and international journalists arrested, beaten and threatened by Israeli forces amid escalating violence in Gaza, reports the International Federation of Journalists.

    The IFJ has declared in a statement that it stands in solidarity with the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate (PJS) and all Palestinian and foreign media workers that have been targeted.

    It demands immediate international action to hold Israel accountable for its deliberate targeting of journalists and the media.

    On the night of May 11, the Israeli military bombed the Al-Jawhara tower, located in Gaza, which hosts the offices of 13 media institutions and NGOs. The PJS said the attack was deliberate and targeted.

    There were no injuries as journalists evacuated their offices after the Israeli army warned some of the media that the building would be bombed.

    However, media organisations lost their equipment. The IFJ said the Israeli government must compensate the media for their financial losses.

    The offices of the media organisations – the National Information Agency, Palestine newspaper, Al-Arabi Channel, Al-Ittijah TV, Al-Nujaba TV, the Syrian TV, Al-Kufiya Channel, Al Mamalaka channel, APA Agency, Sabq Agency 24, Bawaba 24, the Palestinian Media Forum, the Palestinian Forum for Democratic Dialogue and Development – were completely destroyed.

    The offices of Al Jazeera TV, adjacent to the targeted building, were also damaged

    Spanish news agency EFE’s correspondent in Jerusalem said on Twitter that their correspondent in Gaza had to flee its office at Al Jawhara tower after a warning message from the Israeli military.

    In addition to the targeted attacks against media organisations in Gaza, the PJS reported that the Israeli forces arrested photojournalist Hazem Nasser in the West Bank on May 12.

    Since the beginning of the clashes in Jerusalem, the Israeli authorities have arrested at least 27 media workers in what the PJS and other press groups denounced as a clear attempt to silence media reporting on the ground.

    The PJS said in a statement: “The PJS calls on all the guarantors of freedom of journalistic work, especially the United Nations and its organisations and the Red Cross to provide urgent field protection for journalists, and to activate Security Council Resolution 2222 so to obligate the occupation to implement and respect it.”

    IFJ general secretary Anthony Bellanger said: “We stand in solidarity with all the Palestinian journalists and the PJS during these hard moments. The international community cannot turn a blind eye to the systematic violations of human rights and the deliberate targeting of media and journalists. Urgent actions must be taken to hold those responsible for these crimes internationally accountable”.

    In December 2020 the IFJ submitted two complaints to the UN Special Rapporteurs over Israel’s systematic targeting of journalists working in Palestine and its failure to properly investigate killings of media workers.

    The complaint stated that this was “a violation of the right to life, freedom of expression and in breach of international law and may amount to war crimes”.

    This post was originally published on Asia Pacific Report.