11 December 1997

Alert

Anti-independence leader pressures broadcasters


Incident details

harassed

(PINA/IFEX) - The visiting head of the French overseas
broadcasting service told staff in New Caledonia on 8 December
1997 that they will continue to be free to report without
restrictions. Societe National de Radio Television Francaise
D'Outre Mer (RFO) president Jean-Marie Cavada pledged that RFO
journalists in the French Pacific territory would be protected.


His comments follow accusations of bias against RFO broadcasters
made by the powerful leader of New Caledonia's anti-independence
movement, Jacques Lafleur. A wealthy businessman, Lafleur heads
the Rassemblement pour la Caledonie dans la Republique (RPCR) and
is president of South Province, which includes the territory's
capital, Noumea. Lafleur said RFO broadcasters are taking
unconsidered points of view and seem to be indifferent to the
harm they are causing.


His comments came as the nickel-rich territory prepares for a
year in which a referendum on whether it remains French or
becomes independent is due.


This follows ten years of peace and economic development after
the signing of accords ending a bloody conflict involving French
security forces and pro-independence (mainly indigenous Kanak)
and anti-independence (mainly European) groups.




Source

Pacific Islands News Association
Level 2, 46 Gordon Street, Damodar Centre
Private Mail Bag, Suva
Fiji Islands
pina (@) connect.com.fj
Phone: +679 3303623
Fax: +679 3317055

At a glance

New Caledonia (France)

See more

New Caledonia (France)
 

At a glance

Asia & Pacific

See more

Asia & Pacific

IFEX members working in this region 24

See list

 
More from Asia & Pacific
  • TRUTH VS MISINFORMATION: THE COLLECTIVE PUSH BACK

    SOUTH ASIA PRESS FREEDOM REPORT 2018-2019

    International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) 3 May 2019

  • The Campaign for Justice: Press Freedom in South Asia 2013-14

    Journalism in South Asia is far from an easy profession, as the 12th annual review of journalism in the region "The Campaign for Justice: Press Freedom in South Asia 2013-14" portrays. But this year's report also tells the story of the courage of South Asia's journalists to defend press freedom and to ensure citizens' right to information and freedom of expression in the face of increasing challenges to the profession and personal safety.

    International Federation of Journalists 3 May 2014

  • THE STORIES WOMEN JOURNALISTS TELL: Women in Media in South Asia

    The report is the first created by the South Asia Media Solidarity Network (SAMSN) looking specifically at the experience of women journalists in the South Asia sub-region

    International Federation of Journalists 13 March 2014