THE Government of Papua New Guinea has condemned an attempt by a Channel 7 newsroom in Australia for attempting to enflame regional tension between PNG and its diplomatic partners Australia, the United States and China.
Minister for State Enterprises, Hon. William Duma, MP, has demanded an apology and internal investigation within Channel 7 after one of its journalists created a false story claiming PNG was selling its electricity grid to China.
“Perhaps the journalist has limited experience in international affairs and so has no idea of the damage that attempting to sabotage diplomatic relations can cause,” Minister Duma said.
“I have been briefed on the matter, so let me be clear and counter the claims made in the highly inaccurate Channel 7 story.
“PNG Power Director Marlen Brunskill never said or implied that PNG could be about to sell its power grid to China. This ridiculous claim was made-up by the journalist with little to no understanding of how the energy sector works.
“We have been and are working hard to turn PNG Power Ltd around so that it provides consistent, reliable and affordable energy to cities, towns and rural areas and are not the frame of mind to be thinking of selling our assets, at this stage.
“Further, Mr Brunskill did not travel to China, as he repeatedly told the journalist he was on a personal visit to Singapore and the Philippines.
“This inaccurate reporting has the potential to cause serious damage to regional stability at a time of heightened tensions between the major powers.
“It is disturbing that the Channel 7 newsroom tried to create even deeper tension by misleading the Australian Government and Opposition to just garner inflammatory comments for the news story.
“Papua New Guinea has a long-held foreign policy as friend to all and enemy to none, and we will not let this particular Channel 7 newsroom interfere with our diplomatic relations.”
Minister Duma said newsrooms must adhere to ethical standards for reporting and he expects this matter will be dealt with properly and never repeated.
“The inaccuracies and misrepresentation in this news story are nothing more than sensationalist media enforcing stereotypes about Australia’s closest neighbour.
We are a country that has experienced many challenges in the past and we are rebuilding with a strengthening economy, and through co- operation with our partners including Australia.
“This attempt by a newsroom to destabilise this relationship between our two countries, either because malice or negligence, is a shame on the Channel 7 organization.”
