The Media Council of Papua New Guinea (MCPNG) condemns the actions of Indonesian
officials who restricted a Papua New Guinean journalist from attending and providing
coverage of the visit of Indonesian President-elect Prabowo Subianto in Port Moresby on
Wednesday.
Harlyne Joku, an experienced Journalist writing for Online news platform, Benar News, was
denied entry to a joint Press Conference between Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James
Marape, and the Indonesian President, despite having all required accreditation to cover the event.
Ms. Joku was initially denied entry by Indonesian Officials at the APEC Terminal to cover
President Subianto’s arrival, and only gained entry after appealing to a senior Papua New
Guinea Government Minister.
She was later told by a local PNG Ministerial Officer that she was not allowed to attend the
joint press conference at the direction of Indonesian officials.
While she was later advised by an Indonesian Government Official that it was a case of
miscommunication, she was still denied access to the joint leaders press conference.
Council President Neville Choi condemned the restrictions against Ms. Joku, describing it as
an attack on PNG’s independent media sector, and an affront on PNG’s political sovereignty.
“This is not the first time for visiting foreign delegations to impose restrictions on PNG
journalists covering their events. It is also not the first time that PNG government officials
have acquiesced to such requests against coverage of events made accessible to all
accredited PNG media.
Mr. Choi said it is even more abhorrent that these restrictions were made because of the
origin and professional work of the journalist concerned.
“The atrocities inflicted on the people of West Papua by the Indonesian government are not
a taboo subject for the media in PNG. Any level of atrocities and humiliation of the worst
kind, must be reported on. Regardless of how it portrays the Indonesian government’s
management of its national issues.
“It is also shameful that the PNG government officials involved in this international visit
allowed this to happen to a PNG journalist,” Mr. Choi said.
Ms. Joku, now based in Port Moresby, was born in West Papua and has recently been
covering stories of human rights abuses and the ongoing push for Independence of the
people in the Indonesian-controlled West Papua region.
Speaking on behalf of the Council, Mr. Choi said the media in PNG, and its coverage of
national news and events, must be allowed to freely practice their craft without fear or
intimidation.
“The human rights abuses against the people of West Papua have been widely reported on.
The restrictions against Ms. Joku portrays a dismal picture of how this issue will be dealt
with under President Subianto’s tenure.”
Mr. Choi said the Council is concerned that these actions reflect the lack of respect for the
rights and freedom of the press. He called on all PNG government to do its part in protecting the rights of journalists in PNG.
