Date: Tue, 26 Nov 1996 09:00:32 +0100 (MET)
Subject: M-G: Bougainville Update - 26/11/96


>X-Sender: sashab-AT-magna.com.au
>Date: Tue, 26 Nov 1996 14:35:16 +1100
>To: (Recipient list suppressed)
>From: Sasha Baer <sashab-AT-magna.com.au>
>Subject: Bougainville Update - 26/11/96
>
>Title -- 323 POLITICS: Pentanu savages leaders
>Date -- 7 November 1996
>Byline -- Peter Niesi
>Origin -- Niuswire
>Source -- Post-Courier (PNG), 7/11/96 (delayed)
>Copyright -- Post-Courier
>Status -- Unabridged
>-------------------
>
>PENTANU SAVAGES LEADERS
>
>By Peter Niesi
>
>Chief Ombudsman Simon Pentanu believes there is a clear correlation between
>the conduct of Papua New Guinea's leaders and lawlessness in the country.
>
>He said this in his opening address at the Southern Region seminar on the
>role and functions of the Ombudsman Commission yesterday.
>
>Mr Pentanu reiterated that the Commission's recent Port Moresby water
>report highlighted common themes found in the Poreporena Freeway and the
>Disciplined Forces Houses projects. These are:
>
>* DISREGARDING of acceptable methods of calling and evaluating proposals
>for major projects;
>
>* A RECKLESS attitude to the laws of our country, particularly the Public
>Finances (Management) Act and the principles of prudent administration
>underlying it;
>
>* TOO MUCH involvement by our political leaders in administrative and
>management decisions; and
>
>* A HIGH level of administrative incompetence, which inevitably had led to
>suspicion of corruption.
>
>"Sadly, we are not learning from mistakes of the past. The fact that the
>same type of mistakes keep being repeated is quite disheartening," said Mr
>Pentanu. "Sometimes, we in the Ombudsman Commission feel as if we are
>bashing our heads against a brick wall."
>
>He said their personal disappointment was reflected in that of the wider
>community, as was evident in the water report case.
>
>"For the public at large, it is extremely frustrating when they are
>informed that the decision making process for a large project has gone
>wrong - and that public money has been wasted - and that the laws of the
>country have been ignored - but that nothing at all is done about it," he
>said.
>
>"And, when our political leaders announce that they are going to disregard
>the Ombudsman Commission's recommendations and - in the face of the facts -
>continue to do what has been clearly shown to be wrong - is it any wonder
>that the people become disillusioned ?"
>
>Mr Pentanu said the Commission was feeling "a kind of helplessness in not
>having its findings and recommendations (on the water report) taken
>seriously."
>
>"The wider general public is also having uneasy feelings about the
>inability - and often incompetence - of our leaders to give a sense of
>direction and purpose to this country. I really believe, as do others, that
>there is a clear correlation between the conduct of our leaders and
>lawlessness," he said.
>
>Mr Pentanu said that when one thought hard about the situation, "it is  no
>wonder that we are faced with an intolerable amount of lawlessness in PNG
>today."
>
>Referring to the housing project report presented to Parliament in August
>1994, he said the Ombudsman Commission had stated "If government of the day
>ignores the laws of our country, then it can hardly expect the ordinary
>citizens to obey them.
>
>"It is not only important but a paramount responsibility and duty for our
>leaders to lead by example. We therefore plea once again that our leaders
>must lead by example."
>
>"Among our political leaders, there seems to be little or no comprehensive
>sense of where Papua New Guinea is; where Papua New Guinea is going; how we
>are going to get there; and, even what we will do when we arrive.
>
>"It is no longer a question of where our leaders are going. It is a
>question of where Papua New Guinea is going. If we ever need direction in
>leadership, it is most obviously now," said Mr Pentanu.
>
>He said that the nation needs "positive, constructive, dynamic, creative
>and effective leadership" now more than ever to give it direction.
>
>Mr Pentanu said that this was because PNG society was facing extreme
>difficulties including economic and social problems, law and order,
>corruption and administrative incompetence which were all closely tied
>together.
>
>Papua Niugini Niuswire
>http://www.pactok.net.au/docs/nius
>
>----------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>Title -- 331 MEDIA: Ombudsman challenges PNG media curbs
>Date -- 11 November 1996
>Byline -- Neville Togarewa
>Origin -- Pacific Media Watch
>Source -- Post-Courier (PNG), 11/11/96
>Copyright -- Post-Courier
>Status -- Unabridged
>-------------------
>
>OMBUDSMAN QUESTIONS PURPOSE OF MEDIA CURBS
>
>By Neville Togarewa Chief Ombudsman Simon Pentanu has questioned the
>motives behind moves by the Papua New Guinea Government and the
>Constitutional Review Commission to "make the media more accountable".
>
>He told a group of journalists at the weekend that the review of the media
>should have been generated by people who had an intimate knowledge of and
>were involved in the industry.
>
>He added that it should be done in a dispassionate and professional manner.
>
>He said the media debate should not have been generated and the review done
>by people who had little idea of the workings of the mass media and the
>communication industry, and who did not have a genuine interest in making
>sure that the media remained free and active to provide a venue for the
>people to openly express their frustration and their disillusionment with
>government.
>
>The Chief Ombudsman described the Constitutional Review Commission as
>having no "clear aims other than perhaps a number of thinly-disguised
>political agendas".
>
>Mr Pentanu was invited by reporters to officially open and address a
>one-day workshop organised at the Granville Motel in Port Moresby on
>Saturday to revive the PNG Journalists Association.
>
>"I don't personally have any fundamental opposition to debate which
>questions the accountability of the Press," Mr Pentanu said, "but it should
>be a meaningful and honest debate. It must be soundly and professionally
>based and generated by people whose views include those who are actively
>involved in the profession or the industry over which extra controls are
>proposed.
>
>"The people generating the debate must have a professional appreciation of
>the issues. But when we look at the composition of the CRC, I don't think
>it can be said, really, that the people who are in fact generating the
>debate have all of those qualities.
>
>"It is unfortunate - when we already have an institution such as the Law
>Reform Commission which has been deliberately set up under the Constitution
>to deal with such issues in a dispassionate and professional way - that we
>have in its place an organisation without clear aims other than perhaps a
>thinly-disguised political agendas."
>
>Mr Pentanu added: "I cannot hide my disappointment at the way in which the
>CRC has been allowed to manipulate such crucial human rights issues as
>Press freedoms.
>
>"What they are basically trying to do is legislate to further suppress and
>undermine the  week and vulnerable; the people out there who make their
>views known through the media. This is misuse and abuse of their mandate
>and authority."
>
>He said "getting it a bit wrong or making a few mistakes" was "quite a
>cheap price" the people paid for Press freedom.
>
>"It is quite frightening to think what the alternative to a vibrant, free
>and dynamic media is," he said.
>
>"Once you suppress the media you stole the free expression of ideas and
>curtail the ability of the people to communicate effectively and engage in
>meaningful dialogue."
>
>He asked: "What are the reasons for imposing extra accountability on our
>media? And who wants these measures anyway ? Is it because a few
>politicians are misquoted or feel that they are misrepresented or unfairly
>dealt with by the media that we are about to have foisted upon us a whole
>range of measures which will restrict one of the most basic freedoms -
>freedom of expression and communication of ideas.
>
>"Let us be frank. There will always be opposition to Press freedom. This
>position invariably comes from people and institutions who do not like
>being disclosed.
>
>"Truth will always hurt some people, but truth is the lifeblood of any
>decent and honest society which we should be trying to make PNG.
>
>"Truth is certainly something worth fighting for."
>
>Papua Niugini Niuswire
>http://www.pactok.net.au/docs/nius
>
>----------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>Title -- 332 JUSTICE: Ombudsman: We're not out to antagonise
>Date -- 11 November 1996
>Byline -- None
>Origin -- Niuswire
>Source -- Post-Courier (PNG), 11/11/96
>Copyright -- Post-Courier
>Status -- Unabridged
>-------------------
>
>OMBUDSMAN: WE'RE NOT OUT TO ANTAGONISE
>
>Chief Ombudsman Simon Pentanu will consider worthwhile joint seminars with
>other government institutions to educate the public on their differing roles.
>
>Mr Pentanu said this after a one-day seminar on the roles and functions of
>the Ombudsman Commission, which drew questions on other institutions' roles.
>
>The Commission had organised the seminar, the sixth in a series aimed at
>bringing the Commission and the faces within it to provincial and local
>government leaders.
>
>Mr Pentanu was quite pleased with the turnout and response of about 100
>politicians, public servants and councillors from the Southern region at
>their seminar partially sponsored by Friedrich Ebert Foundation.
>
>Mr Pentanu said: "The other thing we tried to impress is that we are not
>trying to antagonise, hand down or criticise our leaders but just to
>explain really what we are doing.
>
>"I believe that from the comments we have heard the people are very much
>aware of what we are doing and the difficulties that we have - and also the
>need to get everyone putting their heads together and trying to address a
>lot of the problems that we have."
>
>While opening the seminar, Mr Pentanu also stressed the need to
>collectively restore trust, confidence and honesty in the government systems.
>
>"In my time with the Ombudsman Commission so far, I have come to realise
>that the work of the Commission needs the active support of all people,
>particularly leaders.
>
>"I don't mean just financial or moral support. But actually coming together
>and putting our heads together - discussing important issues in an open,
>friendly and productive manner.
>
>"After all, success in life depends on the support and help of other
>poeple. This includes politicians, at least the good and honest
>politicians," he said.
>
>Apart form the presentations by the Commission's legal services,
>complaints, and leadership divisions, the seminar was also flooded with
>questions which include:
>
>*  the difference in the role of the Ombudsman Commission and the Public
>Services Commission;
>
>*  whether a leader was liable to face the Ombudsman Commission
>investigation for hitting, maiming or killing someone in self-defence;
>
>*  if a leader can sue someone for reporting to the Commission and then
>spreading reports to that effect to the general public; and
>
>*  if the Commission was deliberately picking on National MPs when there
>was misconduct in office in provincial assemblies as well.
>
>When asked how he felt about the questions later, Mr Pentanu said: "I think
>it is the expectation on the part of the public that the Ombudsman is there
>to do everything."
>
>He said that they tried to communicate the fact that they are just one of a
>number of institutions who have been tasked with the kind of jobs that they
>do.
>
>"In our case, it is very a specific area in addressing administrative
>incompetence and also addressing the leadership code," he said, adding that
>the expectation is possibly fuelled in some way by results being achieved.
>
>Referring to the other institutions, he said: "Definitely I think if those
>other institutions can arrange such seminars - in fact even arrange joint
>seminars - it would be something that will be worthwhile in my view."
>
>Papua Niugini Niuswire
>http://www.pactok.net.au/docs/nius
>
>----------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>Title -- 331 MEDIA: Ombudsman challenges PNG media curbs
>Date -- 11 November 1996
>Byline -- Neville Togarewa
>Origin -- Pacific Media Watch
>Source -- Post-Courier (PNG), 11/11/96
>Copyright -- Post-Courier
>Status -- Unabridged
>-------------------
>
>OMBUDSMAN QUESTIONS PURPOSE OF MEDIA CURBS
>
>By Neville Togarewa
>
>Chief Ombudsman Simon Pentanu has questioned the motives behind moves by
>the Papua New Guinea Government and the Constitutional Review Commission to
>"make the media more accountable".
>
>He told a group of journalists at the weekend that the review of the media
>should have been generated by people who had an intimate knowledge of and
>were involved in the industry.
>
>He added that it should be done in a dispassionate and professional manner.
>
>He said the media debate should not have been generated and the review done
>by people who had little idea of the workings of the mass media and the
>communication industry, and who did not have a genuine interest in making
>sure that the media remained free and active to provide a venue for the
>people to openly express their frustration and their disillusionment with
>government.
>
>The Chief Ombudsman described the Constitutional Review Commission as
>having no "clear aims other than perhaps a number of thinly-disguised
>political agendas".
>
>Mr Pentanu was invited by reporters to officially open and address a
>one-day workshop organised at the Granville Motel in Port Moresby on
>Saturday to revive the PNG Journalists Association.
>
>"I don't personally have any fundamental opposition to debate which
>questions the accountability of the Press," Mr Pentanu said, "but it should
>be a meaningful and honest debate. It must be soundly and professionally
>based and generated by people whose views include those who are actively
>involved in the profession or the industry over which extra controls are
>proposed.
>
>"The people generating the debate must have a professional appreciation of
>the issues. But when we look at the composition of the CRC, I don't think
>it can be said, really, that the people who are in fact generating the
>debate have all of those qualities.
>
>"It is unfortunate - when we already have an institution such as the Law
>Reform Commission which has been deliberately set up under the Constitution
>to deal with such issues in a dispassionate and professional way - that we
>have in its place an organisation without clear aims other than perhaps a
>thinly-disguised political agendas."
>
>Mr Pentanu added: "I cannot hide my disappointment at the way in which the
>CRC has been allowed to manipulate such crucial human rights issues as
>Press freedoms.
>
>"What they are basically trying to do is legislate to further suppress and
>undermine the  week and vulnerable; the people out there who make their
>views known through the media. This is misuse and abuse of their mandate
>and authority."
>
>He said "getting it a bit wrong or making a few mistakes" was "quite a
>cheap price" the people paid for Press freedom.
>
>"It is quite frightening to think what the alternative to a vibrant, free
>and dynamic media is," he said.
>
>"Once you suppress the media you stole the free expression of ideas and
>curtail the ability of the people to communicate effectively and engage in
>meaningful dialogue."
>
>He asked: "What are the reasons for imposing extra accountability on our
>media? And who wants these measures anyway ? Is it because a few
>politicians are misquoted or feel that they are misrepresented or unfairly
>dealt with by the media that we are about to have foisted upon us a whole
>range of measures which will restrict one of the most basic freedoms -
>freedom of expression and communication of ideas.
>
>"Let us be frank. There will always be opposition to Press freedom. This
>position invariably comes from people and institutions who do not like
>being disclosed.
>
>"Truth will always hurt some people, but truth is the lifeblood of any
>decent and honest society which we should be trying to make PNG.
>
>"Truth is certainly something worth fighting for."
>
>----------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>Title -- M54 MEDIA: Micah blasts Chief Ombudsman
>Date -- 12 November 1996
>Byline -- Kevin Rale Pamba
>Origin -- Pacific Media Watch
>Source -- The National (PNG), 12/11/96
>Copyright -- The National
>Status -- Unabridged
>--------------------
>
>MEDIA BILL: MICAH BLASTS PENTANU
>
>By Kevin Rale Pamba
>
>PORT MORESBY: Constitutional Review Commission chairman Ben Micah yesterday
>branded Chief Ombudsman Simon Pentanu as "unprofessional" for his remarks
>on the issue of media accountability.
>
>"If journalists or the Chief Ombudsman are playing funny games to derail
>this (the media accountability recommendations), they are wasting their
>time. It will be passed in Parliament," Mr Micah told a press conference at
>Parliament House.
>
>Parliament resumes at 2pm today and the Media Bill is among the priority
>bills to be debated and passed.
>
>Mr Pentanu, in a keynote address at a workshop jointly organised by
>journalists and the Friedrich Erbert Foundation on Saturday, said: "I
>cannot hide my disappointment at the way in which the CRC has been allowed
>to manipulate such crucial human rights issues such as press freedom.
>
>"What they are basically trying to do is to legislate to further suppress
>and undermine the weak and the vulnerable; that is the people out there who
>make their views known through the media."
>
>Mr Micah said: "He (Mr Pentanu) has acted in a very irresponsible and
>unprofessional manner by going public."
>
>He said: "There is no recommendation to suppress press freedom in the
>country as claimed by the Chief Ombudsman and other critics of the task
>placed upon the CRC by the National Government and endorsed by Parliament."
>
>Mr Micah said there is no manipulation of any rights and challenged Mr
>Pentanu and other critics to show specific proof of their allegations.
>
>"Mr Pentanu's assertion that the CRC is manipulating certain rights is
>totally wrong.
>
>"I condemn his statement and have come to the conclusion that either he has
>not read the report or not understood it. It would appear that he has
>jumped on the bandwagon which may have a vested interest in distorting the
>true recommendations of the report."
>
>He said the CRC recommendations for Media Accountability Bill will seek to
>keep the media accountable for its actions.
>
>Mr Micah said leaders who take public office do so with the knowledge that
>if they breach the Leadership Code they will pay the ultimate price from
>being dismissed from office.
>
>"Why shouldn't journalists or the media be penalised for their wrongs? They
>are not rights unto themselves."
>
>Mr Micah said the predominantly foreign-owned media, like any corporate
>business, should adhere to the laws of this country. And the government as
>the supreme authority has the right to make laws for the country, he said.
>
>The CRC has also recommended the formation of the Communication and
>Information Authority.
>
>The authority, Mr Micah said, will be responsible for issuing licences to
>media companies and other related issues.
>
>Papua Niugini Niuswire
>http://www.pactok.net.au/docs/nius
>
>----------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>Title -- 333b MEDIA: Micah out to make media accountable
>Date -- 12 November 1996
>Byline -- Neville togarewa
>Origin -- Niuswire
>Source -- Post-Courier (PNG), 12/11/96
>Copyright -- Post-Courier
>Status -- Unabridged
>-------------------
>
>MICAH OUT TO MAKE MEDIA ACCOUNTABLE
>
>By Neville Togarewa
>
>Parliament would pass legislation to make the media more accountable,
>whether journalists or anybody like it or not, Constitutional Review
>Commission chairman Ben Micah said yesterday.
>
>The Post-Courier understands that one of the two draft Bills now being
>considered by the CRC would make it mandatory for all journalists to be
>"registered".
>
>Mr Micah was responding to criticisms Chief Ombudsman Simon Pentanu made
>against the CRC in relation to the proposed media laws when he opened a
>one-day workshop for journalists on Saturday.
>
>"If the media, the Ombudsman Commission or anyone are thinking of derailing
>these laws, they're wasting their time," Mr Micah said.
>
>"The laws are going to be passed because Parliament has adopted the media
>accountability report and we are drafting the Bills."
>
>But Mr MIcah also said: "I don't think the media should be fearful of any
>government closing them down as an avenue for the people to express what
>they think.
>
>"I don't think any leader can go that extreme by using the law to close
>them down, unless the media brings it upon themselves."
>
>The CRC was yet to agree to the drafting instructions which would then be
>sent to the National Executive Council for approval before the Legislative
>Council endorses the draft Bills. The CRC met yesterday to discuss two
>Bills, one on Information  and Communication Authority Act 1996 and the
>Media Commission Act 1996.
>
>The proposed ICA Act, when passed, will be the umbrella body which will
>regulate and control the media and the information and communication industry.
>
>The ICA's main task will be licensing and regulation.
>
>Its job will cover the Post Telecommunication Corporation which the
>government has decided to privatise.
>
>Under the Media Commission Act, an independent media commission will be set
>up and work closely with the ICA.
>
>The organisations will promote the interests of the media industry as well
>as taking on the role of policing the relevant laws that apply.
>
>The Post-Courier understands that under the Media Commission Act 1996, a
>provision will provide that all journalists must be registered, like
>lawyers, engineers, doctors and accountants.
>
>Papua Niugini Niuswire
>http://www.pactok.net.au/docs/nius
>
>----------------------------------------------------------------------------
>




     --- from list marxism-general-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu ---