8 Nov 2013

PNG Prime Minister warns media over reporting standards

5:12 pm on 8 November 2013

The Papua New Guinea Prime Minister has issued a warning to media outlets who he says write false or defamatory reports against the Government.

Peter O'Neill responded to questions by journalists over the recent demotion of three senior editors and producers of the national broadcaster, NBC.

He says the internal disciplinary issues of the NBC or any other media organisation is not a matter for the government to decide, but says the state has the right to complain to management about reports it finds to be defamatory and unproven.

The journalists involved in the reporting on the government take-over of the Ok Tedi mine, and on allegations the prime minister is implicated in the allegedly corrupt payments to the arrested lawyer Paul Paraka, say they stand by the quality of their reports.

Mr O'Neill also says he is reviewing media ownership regulations to see how citizens can become more involved in the ownership of media outlets.