Solomon Islands newspaper pledged to promote ‘truth about China’s generosity’ in return for funding

A display case of photos outside the Chinese embassy in Honiara, Solomon Islands. Newspapers have been accused of compromising their independence in return for resources from China. Photograph: Charley Piringi/AP

Local media in Solomon Islands have been accused of compromising their independence by entering into agreements with Chinese news organisations and accepting thousands of dollars’ worth of equipment from the Chinese embassy.

Since the Solomon Islands government signed a high-profile security agreement with China in March 2022, some newspapers in the Pacific country have received cars, cameras, phones and printing machinery that costs thousands of dollars from the Chinese government, via its local embassy, according to local journalists. Some have raised concern about the gifts and the continued close dialogue between media organisations in China and Solomon Islands.