A University of the South Pacific academic says moves to restrict journalists from the Pacific Islands Development Forum amounts to government harassment of the media.
Journalism lecturer, Pat Craddock, says the Islands Business editor, Samisoni Pareti, was denied accreditation to the forum without explanation, and Netani Rika, the Pacific Conference of Churches communications manager, was visited by police multiple times at his Nadi hotel.
Mr Craddock says this yet another example of the government intimidating journalists.
"I just see it as an insult of freedom of speech. Netani Rika, the police say they are worried about him talking about the West Papua issue. Samisoni Pareti was there to cover it for Islands Business, which is a very well-established magazine around the Pacific."
Pat Craddock says it is disappointing the Media Industry and Development Authority has been silent on the issue, despite often talking about the importance of robust journalism.
