IFJ condemns Solomons threat to ban ‘disrespectful’ foreign journalists on China

APR editor — Fri, 26 Aug 2022 08:37:53 +0000

The Solomon Islands government has threatened to ban or deport foreign journalists “disrespectful” of the country’s relationship with China, according to a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office this week.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has condemned this “grave infringement on press freedom” and has called on Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare to ensure all journalists remain free to report on the Solomon Islands.

In the detailed statement, the office of the Prime Minister Sogavare on August 24 criticised foreign media for failing to abide by the standards expected of journalists writing and reporting about the affairs of the Solomons Islands.

The government warned it would implement swift measures to prevent journalists who were not “respectful” or “courteous” from entering the country.

The statement specifically targeted an August 1 episode of Four Corners, an investigative documentary series by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).

The report, entitled Pacific Capture, was accused of “racial profiling” and intentionally using “misinformation” in its recent coverage of the growing influence of China in the Solomon Islands.

“ABC or other foreign media must understand that the manner in which journalists are allowed to conduct themselves in other (countries) does not give them the right to operate in the same manner in the Pacific,” the statement read.

‘Pacific not same as the US’
“The Pacific is not the same as Australia or United States. When you chose to come to our Pacific Islands, be respectful, be courteous and accord the appropriate protocols,” the statement continued.

Journalists could be blocked from Solomon islands. Video: ABC News

On August 24, ABC rejected the claim that the Four Corners programme included “misinformation and distribution of pre-conceived prejudicial information”, with the episode’s main interviewees including two prominent Solomon Islanders.

Solomon Islands has been the subject of global controversy following the signing of a wide-ranging deal with China in April to strengthen Solomon Islands’ national security and address issues of climate change.

On August 1, the government ordered the national radio and television broadcaster SIBC to censor any reports critical of the government, a major blow to press freedom.

Currently, journalists intending to enter Solomon Islands can apply for a visa on arrival. The statement did not reveal how the new restrictions would be enforced nor to whom they would apply.

“The statement released by the office of Prime Minister Sogavare is extremely concerning and, if actioned, will pose a critical threat to press freedom,” the IFJ said.

“The IFJ strongly condemns the threats made by the Solomon Islands government and urges the country to respect the right of all journalists to freedom of expression.”

Dawn Raids – Pasifika ‘liberated’ to talk about painful past

Michael Andrew — Tue, 09 Apr 2019 13:13:24 +0000

By Michael Andrew

An exhibition about the infamous Dawn Raids in the 1970s has opened in South Auckland, providing a window into a painful chapter of New Zealand’s history.

Called Educate to Liberate, the exhibition showcases art projects, memorabilia and photographs of a time when the police were racial profiling and harassing Pacific Islanders in a government-approved campaign.

Curator Pauline Smith told Pacific Media Watch the exhibition raises awareness and invites people to come forward to share their stories.

WATCH TAGATA PASIFIKA: Polynesian Panthers on the Dawn Raids

Polynesian Panthers Will ‘Ilolahia and Tigilau Ness speak to John Pulu and Marama T-Pole about the new exhibition. Video: Tagata Pasifika

“It gives people permission to talk about it. It’s still very painful and shameful for a lot of people,” she said.

The Dawn Raids were part of a police and immigration crackdown on illegal “overstayers” in the 1970s. Pacific Islanders were specifically targeted while overstayers of European origin were overlooked.

Police entered homes in the early hours, demanding to see passports and proof of residency. They often physically removed residents for deportation.

Smith said the raids created a lot of shame among Pacific people, many of whom are reluctant to talk about it due to social stigma.

However, some have opened up about their experiences.

South Island raids
“We had this girl in Invercargill who had a story about how they were dawn raided and the uncle was escorted on to the plane by police, so they looked like criminals.”

Social services then came and put her brother and sister in state care.

“She said her brother never recovered properly.”

Educate to Liberate was exhibited in the Southland Museum and Art Gallery, Niho o te Taniwha in Invercargill last year after the release of Smith’s award-winning children’s book, Dawn Raids.

Co-curator Ari Edgecombe of the Southland Museum said there were many sad stories of the Invercargill Dawn Raids, despite a common misconception they were not carried out in the South Island.

“That’s one of the reasons why we’re asking people to share their voice if they want to,” he said.

“We just figured that this might be the time for healing.”

Polynesian Panthers
The exhibition’s Auckland opening in Fresh Gallery Ōtara last weekend featured talks from Tigilau Ness, Will ‘Ilolahia and Reverend Alec Toleafoa of the Polynesian Panthers, an activist group formed in the 1970s in response to the raids and police discrimination.

The Polynesian Panthers were formed to resist police discrimination. Image: Michael Andrew/PMW

Pacific people were being “systematically targeted” for random street checks in a police initiative called Operation Pot Black.

The Panthers distributed a legal pamphlet to Pacific communities allowing people to know their rights when being harassed by police. A copy of the pamphlet is on display at the exhibition.

They also carried out their own dawn raids on the houses of North Shore MP George Gair and the Minister of Immigration, Bill Birch, turning up at 3am with loudspeakers and spotlights and demanding to see their passports.

The police raids stopped shortly after.

Former chair of the Panthers Will ‘Ilolahia said he and other members of the group served prison sentences for their struggles with the police.

“Some of us were feeling so strong about it that we were prepared to go and do time.”

Institutional racism
A “change consultant” now, ‘Ilolahia and other Panther members visit schools and talk to students about the need to stand up for what is right.

While he said that there have been improvements in the treatment of Pacific people, institutional racism still exists in New Zealand.

“Racism is still here, basically because the system is monocultural in it’s outlook.”

He said there was a need for all New Zealanders to start recognising themselves as migrants.

“Aotearoa is a country of migrants. We’re all migrants.”

“But we’ve got a pretty good place here. That’s why we fought for it.”

The Educate to Liberate exhibition opened at the Fresh Gallery Ōtara on April 6 and runs until May 25.

Michael Andrew is the Pacific Media Centre’s Pacific Media Watch freedom project contributing editor.

Forgotten Dawn Children – Pasifika student film success
An insight into a dark time in history

A replica of a 1970s living room in a Pacific family home. Image: Michael Andrew/PMW

racial profiling – Asia Pacific Report

IFJ condemns Solomons threat to ban ‘disrespectful’ foreign journalists on China

Dawn Raids – Pasifika ‘liberated’ to talk about painful past