The International Federation of Journalists has strongly condemned an recent attack on a Papua New Guinea journalist by officials working for the governor of Morobe.
The Post Courier office in Konedobu, Port Moresby. Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades
The IFJ is joining the PNG Media Workers Association in demanding an immediate investigation.
A PNG Post Courier journalist, Franky Kapin, was assaulted by the officers after they made allegations that his reporting was biased.
News of the assault only came to light after the PNG Media Council released a statement condemning the attack, following Mr Kapin making a report to police.
The PNG Media Council said "intimidation of media practitioners is draconian behaviour, and something neither accepted, nor condoned by the industry".
The media union called on the governor of Morobe to immediately sack the people responsible, saying journalists play a vital role in ensuring news and events are reported for public consumption.
The IFJ said when the media is intimidated, it only serves to weaken press freedom and the ability of the media to report freely and independently.
