GOVERNOR MUTHUVEL PUSHES FOR JOURNALIST PROTECTION LAWS
Photo Credits to OFC Media.
BY LETHISA KOLOKOL
WEST New Britain Governor, Sasindran Muthuvel has called on the Parliament to introduce Journalist Protection Clauses in the criminal code, a legislative measure designed to specifically safeguard journalists, media professionals, and their sources from violence, harassment, and interference in the exercise of their profession.
The governor made these remarks during parliament debate on the adoption of the report of the Standards and Integrity of Journalism in PNG.
He urged parliament to consider the report as a reform for the media industry in the country which is rapidly changing to digitalization. He adds that as lawmakers, it their duty to protect the journalists of the country.
He said journalists have been assaulted, intimidated and had their equipment destroyed while performing their professional duties.
In his debate, he suggested that parliament consider amending the criminal code to make assault on a journalist an aggravated offence.
As an aggravated offence, attacks on journalist will have stronger penalties.
The governor also suggested criminalising the obstruction of journalist in obtaining critical information needed for their work, the destruction of media equipment and the intimidation of media workers.
The West New Britain governor said, a democratic country protects those who hold power into account, journalists.
Governor Muthuvel is a member of the Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Communication, Chaired by Wau Waria MP Marsh Narewec who presented the report last week.
