2 Jun 2007

PNG media council condemns attack on female journalist

12:35 pm on 2 June 2007

The Media Council of Papua New Guinea has condemned the attack on a female journalist in Port Moresby this week.

The Post-Courier had reported that armed men stormed the home of one of their reporters on Tuesday night with intent to harm her, but she escaped through the back door with her baby in her arms.

The Media Council president, Peter Aitsi, described the attack as cowardly.

He says it is an absolute shame when a small minority attacks journalists and individuals in their own homes.

Mr Aitsi says one of the fundamentals of democracy is the freedom of speech and the freedom of the media.

He says this attack on a journalist is an attack on democracy itself.

Mr Aitsi called for the media and the community to stand together; to raise voices and demonstrate in very loud terms that intimidation and harassment will not be tolerated.