13 Jul 2015

Vanuatu media assoc says govt control not needed

5:22 pm on 13 July 2015

The Media Association of Vanuatu says the Government's proposed curbs on media are excessive and unneccessary.

Vanuatu Foreign Minister Sato Kilman

Vanuatu Foreign Minister Sato Kilman Photo: UN.org

The new Sato Kilman led Government is proposing new media laws to control what it calls unbalanced and unfair reporting in both the mainstream and social media.

It has raised concerns of stories focussing on political instability in the country and the government's position on West Papua's bid for membership of the Melanesian Spearhead Group.

A draft of the proposed media laws is expected to be made public this week before it is put before parliament next week.

The Media Association says there are already legal avenues to deal with any issues.

It also says setting up a media disciplinary council would be preferable to a government controlled regulatory body.