Defending press freedom in the pacific is Australia's next challenge

This should probably not come as a surprise, but there is some evidence that China is exercising undue influence over the media in the Pacific. and more particularly Papua New Guinea.

Our closest neighbour has robust social media platforms. Some of the material published online is highly defamatory, but some of reflects a nation which values press freedom, freedom of speech generally, and a highly competitive political environment.

The National Constitution of PNG guarantees freedom of speech and essentially guarantees press freedom. Action for defamation is rare in the PNG courts.

One blog site, PNG Blogs, carries a piece this week purportedly from a PNG Post Courier journalist, alleging that reporters, and executives, of the Post Courier, and the second daily, the National, are effectively on the payroll of the PRC Embassy in Papua New Guinea.

That essence of the story is that journalists are regularly paid substantial sums for writing stories favourable to China's activities in Papua New Guinea and suppressing items that are critical.

I am not in a position to verify the claim. What I have done is consult my PNG contacts, including media contacts, to secure their views on the blog.

Without exception they believe there is substantial truth in the claims.

Reading the daily newspapers online as I do does from time to time raise questions in my mind about the number of pro-China stories in the daily media in PNG, most notably in the Post Courier.

I have put it down to the Chinese Embassy in PNG being pro-active, and frankly aggressive in promoting China's interests most favourably. That is of course its job.

It stands in stark contrast to the benign Australian High Commission which is high on staff numbers but low on quality engagement with the people of PNG.

The Australian High Commission in PNG needs a total make over. The new Australian Government could well consider replacing the current High Commissioner, a diplomat, with a former Australian federal or state politicians who could effectively engage with PNG's political leaders.

But back to press freedom.

Australia needs to urgently get our security agencies to check as far as it is possible to do so into the allegations of bribery and improper practices on the part of the PRC Embassy in dealings with the PNG media.

We also need to examine what is happening in other countries that are under increasing PRC influence - notably the Solomon Islands.

China's views on press freedom are well known - it does not exist!

The new Australian Government should give a high priority to measures that can encourage press freedom and media diversity not just in Papua New Guinea - but across our region.

The proposal advanced some time ago to re-engage the ABC more actively and effectively in the region needs to be implemented without delay - and with adequate funding.

Australia should offer to assist with the professional development of journalism in our region - but awarding young journalists, and journalism students, scholarships to study at universities in Australia, and through placements in our media outlets.

The government should also consider subsidising Australian media companies to establish operations in countries such as Papua New Guinea and Fiji.

In my time there were as many as five Australian news outlets with PNG posts. Today only the ABC has a permanent presence in our closest neighbour.

Helping to strengthen parliamentary democracy in our region is a vital component in at least limiting China's influence.

The maintenance of a free press - and one certainly free from improper influences and bribes - ought to go hand in hand with a comprehensive campaign to strengthen representative parliamentary democracy.

The PNG Blog piece should not be dismissed simply because the author is not named - except to see he or she is a Post Courier journalist.

The Chinese Ambassador to PNG is remarkably active in PNG, including through dialogue with political leaders at national and provincial levels. Remarkably active and remarkably effective.

The current visit by the PRC Foreign Minister to the Region armed with wide ranging co-operation agreements he wants up to ten of our regional neighbours to sign is just further evidence of how aggressive and determined China is.

Our agenda must be led by steps to strengthen parliamentary democracy. To that clearly needs to be added upholding press freedom.

As I have written on numerous occasions in this column, the China advance MUST be taken seriously. The Solomon Islands is just the first step.

The threat to press freedom is a new development, but one that should not come as a surprise.

It must be addressed with urgency., and with sophistication...before it is too late!