Media Responds To Minister's Attacks * Honiara

Media Responds To Minister's Attacks * Honiara

An attack by the Solomon Islands Minister for Health and Medical Services Benjamin Una on the media last week in Parliament "lacks substance" and was a personal attack on certain media organisations, says a senior media spokesperson.

The president of the Media Association of Solomon Islands (MASI), Robert Iroga, was reported as saying that the minister's comment alleging the media did not bring peace to the country was a slap on the face of the profession and must not be left unchallenged.

Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) News had reported an incident last weekend in which Health Minister Una, apparently drunk, said the Pacnews report, had a heated argument with the hospital security staff because he and others who were with him at the time were not allowed in well after visiting hours.

In attacking the media during the Parliament session, Una said the media did not bring peace to the country.

In reply, MASI president Iroga said the comments were not only humiliating but showed Una's lack of respect for other professionals.

Iroga said that it was the media that highlighted militia and criminal activities in the country leading to the intervention by the Regional Assistance Mission (RAMSI).

+++niuswire

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