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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
World
Kate Lyons

Pacific faces ‘critical moment’ in fight for press freedom, media watchdog warns

Palau
Palau journalist Leilani Reklai (left), chair of the Pacific Freedom Forum Robert Iroga (centre) and Katalina Tohi, the Polynesian co-chair of the Forum.
Palau journalist Leilani Reklai (left), chair of the Pacific Freedom Forum Robert Iroga (centre) and Katalina Tohi, the Polynesian co-chair of the Forum. Photograph: Pacific Freedom Forum

The Pacific is facing a “critical moment” for press freedom, the region’s media watchdog has warned, as a number of senior journalists in a range of Pacific countries are facing costly lawsuits and criminal prosecution for alleged defamation.

“We have seen a few cases coming up … challenging the fundamentals of press freedom in the region,” said Robert Iroga, the chair of the Pacific Freedom Forum.

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