Pacnews/Radio Australia: 5 June 2001
MEDIA: ROW IN COOK ISLANDS BETWEEN RIVAL GROUPS
In the Cook Islands, a row has broken out between the body representing independent media outlets and the body claimed to be acting as a media mouthpiece for the Government, reports Pacnews citing Radio Australia.
RAROTONGA (Pacnews) ---- In the Cook Islands, a row has broken out between the body representing independent media outlets and the body said to be acting as a media mouthpiece for the Government.
A journalist from the independent daily paper Cook Islands News, Jason Brown, whose reporting has been under attack, believes the Cook Islands Media Group's plan to set up a media tribunal is a Government ploy to suppress independent reporting.
Last week, Brown was discharged without conviction in the High Court following a complaint from media boss George Pitt over what he described as an obscene phone call.
Brown claimed he abused Pitt only after severe provocation, including months of ridicule and abuse from the Cook Islands Herald, which is owned by Pitt.
Outside the court, Brown claimed the Pitt family media services have a well-known history of personally attacking people who go against their pro-government views...PNS