When our Pacific media are told by management that they can’t ask the hard questions about issues affecting their community – then something is seriously wrong. Efeso Collins has been taken off the 531 PI Saturday morning breakfast show for refusing to toe the line. He has continued to challenge the $4.8 million that was allocated to the Pacific Economic Development Agency and now has been taken off air without any explanation provided.
Only about 6 weeks ago the world celebrated the World Press Freedom day – who would have thought that here in our own little developed country – Freedom of the press could be breached in this way.
I’ve attached links to the Pacific Eyewitness website that provides some information on what has been unfolding with regards to the silencing of our Pacific media.
http://pacificeyewitness.com/2010/06/12/why-i-will-not-stop-asking-questions-on-pacific-eda/
You know your country’s media’s in a dire state when people get so uncomfortable at the thought of decent journalism being practised! I hope these people get a fair outcome – it’s so wrong to punish somebody for doing their job to a high standard!
Someone’s deliberately encouraging moves to a US style superficial media circus. Keep the people ignorant and distracted by irrelevancies so those in power can I have their way.
Scary media control, great post.
This whole issues got some mileage and I think is going to cause National some embarrassment.
Interesting to see if the local branch of the Commonwealth Press Union press freedom committee gets involved, or turns a blind eye.
@Jennifer
Excellent idea, Ive just sent them this link
Orwell lives. Efeso Collins is guilty of Thoughtcrime.
I hope the Economist is listening. They’ve already checked our green credentials and found them getting worse under this government; now our intellectual freedoms are third world.