17 Aug 2017

RNZ undeterred by Indonesian protest over Papua coverage

4:14 pm on 17 August 2017

New Zealand's public broadcaster says a protest in Indonesia won't deter it from covering West Papua.

Protest against RNZ coverage of West Papua, outside the New Zealand embassy in Jakarta.

Protest against RNZ coverage of West Papua, outside the New Zealand embassy in Jakarta. Photo: Supplied

Last week about twenty people protested about RNZ Pacific's coverage of West Papua in a demonstration outside the New Zealand embassy in Indonesia's capital Jakarta.

Among placards on display were messages accusing RNZ of being manipulated by Papuan separatist interests in its coverage.

One placard called for bilateral relations between Indonesia and New Zealand to be cut.

RNZ's chief executive Paul Thompson said the broadcaster was surprised by the protest against its on-going coverage of West Papua.

He said he had received no complaints about RNZ Pacific coverage which had been fair, accurate, and independent.

According to Mr Thompson, RNZ would continue to assiduously report on issues in the region.