ACT NOW! has condemned the suspension of award winning journalist Scott Waide who has reportedly been sidelined on the orders of the government for his reporting on current issues affecting the country.

ACT NOW! says the suspension is a huge attack on media freedom and should be condemned by everyone in PNG and the region.

ACT NOW! has reiterated the Media Council’s call for the government to immediately reverse the suspension. 

Scott Waide, one of Papua New Guinea’s best-known and most acclaimed reporters, has been removed from his post as the Lae bureau chief and senior journalist for state-owned media company EMTV.

EMTV says it has been forced into taking action by the government and Prime Minister Peter O’Neill.

ACT NOW! says the move is deplorable as Scott Waide has always shown courage and integrity in his reporting. He has also been a tireless advocate for media freedom and a shining light in a country where investigative journalism is under-resourced.

ACT NOW! says the government’s move is a reflection of the rising tensions in the country over massive corruption and mismanagement of the economy.