An international media freedom watchdog has condemned media freedom violations which it found have marred Papua New Guinea's ongoing general election.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has also taken note of an attempt to muzzle a leading PNG writer and social media practitioner.
Martyn Namorong Photo: RNZI / Johnny Blades
In its first response to the lengthy PNG election, RSF identified a number of specific cases of media restriction in the election.
They include various cases of journalists being denied access to the polling or vote counting process by police or election officials.
RSF also said that "amid many reports on social networks of vote-buying and violence" authorities also took alarming measures against citizen journalists.
RSF has also cited the case of writer and political commentator Martyn Namorong who referred to electoral commissioner Patilias Gamato as 'Tomato' in various posts criticising election process.
Mr Gamato has brought a legal suit against Mr Namorong claiming he 'seriously injured' Mr Gamato's character, credit and reputation.
RSF opposes the national court issuing a gag order banning Mr Namorong from publishing further "defamatory remarks" on Facebook and Twitter.
"Journalists and citizen-journalists have a duty to inform the public about what has gone wrong during an election," RSF said.
With a court hearing on the case scheduled for today, RSF said the authorities must recognise that Martyn Namorong committed no crime and must lift the censorship order imposed on him.
"A country cannot claim to be democratic just because it holds elections. It must also respect and protect media freedom, which is the cornerstone of every democracy," RSF stated.
