PNG Speaker Refers Post Courier Newspaper to Parliamentary Privileges Committee
Port Moresby: The Speaker of the Papua New Guinea (PNG) Parliament, Job Pomat, has referred the editor and reporter responsible for a controversial front-page headline in the Post Courier newspaper to the Parliamentary Privileges Committee for further deliberation and action.
The referral was announced during Parliament’s morning session, where Speaker Pomat raised concerns over the newspaper’s front-page headline, “PERPETRATORS IN THE HOUSE”, which featured images of three Members of Parliament. He argued that the wording of the headline implied that the MPs were wrongdoers, which could mislead the public, as many readers only focus on headlines rather than the full article.
“The choice of words is not proper and gives the wrong implication about the three MPs,” Pomat stated.
In addition to the headline, the Speaker also expressed dissatisfaction with the Post Courier’s ongoing “roll call update” on Members of Parliament. He clarified that he had not authorized the newspaper to track MPs' attendance and questioned the paper’s decision to directly contact a member regarding their absence.
“Who told you to keep a roll call and check on Members’ attendance in Parliament?” Pomat asked.
The Speaker emphasized that while the media has the freedom to report on parliamentary proceedings, the authority to allow or restrict media access to Parliament lies with him. Under the Standing Orders of Parliament, he affirmed his right to refer the matter to the Parliamentary Privileges Committee, which is responsible for investigating and reporting on any alleged breaches of privilege.
PNG Minister Calls for Apology
Meanwhile, PNG’s Minister for Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs and Member for Kikori, Soroi Eoe, expressed strong disappointment over the newspaper’s coverage. His image was among those featured on the front page, which he said had caused him personal distress.
“Today, I came out from a hotel and lowered my head because I wondered what people were thinking of me after this report,” Eoe said.
He argued that discussions in Parliament about domestic violence, led by Member for Madang Bryan Kramer, had been taken out of context by the Post Courier. The Minister described the coverage as “gutter reporting” and called on the newspaper to issue a public apology to him and Jiwaka Governor Simon Kaiwi.
Furthermore, Eoe suggested that Post Courier should be barred from attending parliamentary sessions or that the reporter responsible should face disciplinary action.
The matter now awaits further deliberation by the Parliamentary Privileges Committee.
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