A group of 20 Pacific journalists and media professionals have called on Pacific governments to meet their commitments to good governance by introducing and implementing Freedom of Information legislation.
This was the outcome of an anti corruption workshop organised by the United Nations Development Programme in Fiji last week during the Pacific Media Summit.
The Fiji Times reports the group identified significant challenges in reporting on corruption in the Pacific that were unique to the region.
In a statement they say journalists continue to report corruption against a backdrop of low accountability and lack of follow up prosecution.
Journalists fear for their safety and the safety of their families if they report on corruption, and without the awareness of their media rights and the protection of independent, well-resourced and active anti-corruption bodies they are unwilling to take that risk.
