Toroama unhappy with report

THE media plays an integral role in the socio-economic and political aspects of development in Bougainville’s journey to self-determination, Bougainville President Ishmael Toroama says.
Toroama said he was appreciative of the support by local media in reporting Bougainville news that was “factual, objective and sensitive to the ongoing process”.
He, however, did express disappointment with a recent report insinuating that Bougainville was providing paramilitary support to factions in the Solomon Islands conflict.
“The deliberate use of my image as well as the Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manaseh Sogavare inferring that Bougainville is involved in a ‘secret plot’ is defamatory and disrespectful to the people of Bougainville and the Solomon Islands,” Toroama said.
“The retraction stating that there had been a misquote in regards to the Commissioner of Police David Manning is inexcusable, especially when they had a senior reporter who ignored all manner of journalism standards and ethics when reporting the misleading story.”
Toroama said the post referendum period was an important time for Bougainville and PNG.
“The Bougainville issue on independence has become a national issue that demands objective and factual reporting that does not incite discord and misunderstanding, especially when dealing with geopolitical issues that will have ramifications on the current process on Bougainville. The vitality of the role media, as an important stakeholder in the Bougainville process, must never be compromised.”
Toroama said social responsibility needed to be the key element when reporting news and influencing public perception in a manner that promoted democracy, transparency and growth.