The president of the Media Council of PNG, Joe Kanekane, pleaded for the media to be respected as the “fourth estate” which was supposed to be independent to perform the functions of a watchdog.
“Please understand that the media must keep a skeptical eye on the activities of the government and the powerful.
“Without a free and independent media, the public interest will not be guarded, and those in powerful position can abuse the power for personal gains,” he said.
Kanekane said the military regime must also respect the freedom of expression and freedom of the media as a basic human right enshrined in Article XIX of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
