The Pacific Islands Regiment Veterans League (PIRVL), representing current and former members, has strongly condemns the assault of a female journalist at the Correctional Service headquarters in Port Moresby on Friday.
“This cowardly and ill-disciplined act by five rogue officers is unacceptable and undermines the very foundations of our democracy and tarnished the name of the Correctional Service,” PIRV President Rtd Maj Gen Jerry Singirok said.
“The media is the fourth arm of government. It plays a vital role in ensuring transparency and accountability. Throughout my career—from the Bougainville crisis to the Kangu massacre and operations such as High Speed 1 and 2 and in 1997 Operation Rausim Kwik and currently the exposure of Illegal Gun violence implicating our leaders, we allowed media to report accordingly.
“We must collectively uphold the principle that the public must be informed openly and truthfully, even in times of conflict.
How do we as a democratic nation claim Freedom of the Press when we either suppress media freedom or threaten and assault members of the media who are only doing their jobs by reporting the facts?
“I call upon the Commissioner of Correctional Service to show decisive leadership by immediately investigating this incident and, where necessary, pursuing criminal charges against the offending officers. Such actions are essential to restore public trust and uphold discipline within the service.
“We collectively condemn this disgraceful behavior. Democracy cannot thrive when journalists are silenced or attacked. It is the duty of our institutions to protect the press, not assault them.”