12 Feb 2009

Solomon Islands commission says it has a right to summon journalists

12:56 pm on 12 February 2009

The Solomon Islands'leadership code commission says it has the right to summon journalists to help in its investigation.

The commission has issued the summons to two reporters, who had written articles alledging the wrongdoing of several MPs.

This has sparked an outcry in the country accusing the commission of intimidation and violation of media freedom.

The commission's director for legal services, Celestine Solosaia, says it has the right to ask journalists to verify their source of information.

"What the commission did is legally within its power to summon anybody to appear before it if it considers that they might have information or documents relevant to its investigation."

Celestine Sosaia says it's at a dead point in its investigation and needs help from the media, but the reporters' have the right to refuse its request.