Overview:
The Pacific Freedom Forum has condemned the alleged assault of senior Papua New Guinea journalist Rebecca Kuku, calling it a “shocking attack on press freedom.” Kuku, a respected reporter known for her coverage of governance and gender-based violence, says she was verbally abused, punched from behind, and threatened by officers of the Papua New Guinea Correctional Service while seeking comment on human rights concerns at Bomana prison. PFF is demanding a swift and transparent investigation, warning that intimidation of journalists — especially women reporters — undermines democracy and accountability across the Pacific.
28 Feb, 2026– The Pacific Freedom Forum (PFF) strongly condemns the alleged
assault of senior journalist Rebecca Kuku by officers of Papua New Guinea’s
Correctional Service in Port Moresby.
Kuku was hoping to attend a presser at the CS offices on Friday, 27 February 2026 to
follow up on an earlier bylined piece in the National newspaper reporting human rights
concerns from PNG Prime Minister James Marape over assault and treatment of
inmates at the nation’s Bomana remand facility. In his interview four days before,
PM Marape had told the National he wanted an independent investigation into the issue.
(link to National story on Bomana and PM remarks) Kuku says she was confronted by a
group of five officers at the main gate of the Correctional Service headquarters,
questioning her about the news report on the Prime Minister’s remarks and the source
of a video documenting assaults on inmates, leaked to the National and shared on
Meta.
During the encounter, Kuku told PFF, she was verbally attacked, then punched from
behind, and threatened by officers. PFF has also received information showing the
assault on Kuku was intentional and planned.
PFF Chair Robert Iroga, Solomon Islands, described the alleged assault as “a shocking
attack on press freedom and the safety of journalists doing their jobs.” “No journalist
should ever face intimidation or physical harm for reporting on matters of public
interest,” he said,
“Ms Kuku has filed a statement to Police and authorities must act swiftly to identify
those responsible. This will demonstrate that such behaviour has no place within state
institutions.”
Pff also Iroga called for protection of journalists especially female reporters who
maybe soft targets
PFF urges the Papua New Guinea Correctional Service and national police to take any
grievances through written and direct complaints to media organisations to allow media
to carry out a transparent, independent investigation and ensure the safety of all
journalists covering public agencies.
“We also commend the National team and all editors and publishers who take swift
action and call out these threats to their front line staff, particularly women journalists
who are often targeted with specific verbal abuse, shaming and sexualised threats in
ways that men do not suffer,” he said.
A widely respected senior reporter amongst Pacific colleagues, Kuku is well known for
her analysis and coverage of governance and gender-based violence.—ENDS
Related
Pacific media watchdog condemns alleged assault on PNG journalist Rebecca Kuku, calls for swift investigation
Share this:
Overview:
The Pacific Freedom Forum has condemned the alleged assault of senior Papua New Guinea journalist Rebecca Kuku, calling it a “shocking attack on press freedom.” Kuku, a respected reporter known for her coverage of governance and gender-based violence, says she was verbally abused, punched from behind, and threatened by officers of the Papua New Guinea Correctional Service while seeking comment on human rights concerns at Bomana prison. PFF is demanding a swift and transparent investigation, warning that intimidation of journalists — especially women reporters — undermines democracy and accountability across the Pacific.
28 Feb, 2026– The Pacific Freedom Forum (PFF) strongly condemns the alleged
assault of senior journalist Rebecca Kuku by officers of Papua New Guinea’s
Correctional Service in Port Moresby.
Kuku was hoping to attend a presser at the CS offices on Friday, 27 February 2026 to
follow up on an earlier bylined piece in the National newspaper reporting human rights
concerns from PNG Prime Minister James Marape over assault and treatment of
inmates at the nation’s Bomana remand facility. In his interview four days before,
PM Marape had told the National he wanted an independent investigation into the issue.
(link to National story on Bomana and PM remarks) Kuku says she was confronted by a
group of five officers at the main gate of the Correctional Service headquarters,
questioning her about the news report on the Prime Minister’s remarks and the source
of a video documenting assaults on inmates, leaked to the National and shared on
Meta.
During the encounter, Kuku told PFF, she was verbally attacked, then punched from
behind, and threatened by officers. PFF has also received information showing the
assault on Kuku was intentional and planned.
PFF Chair Robert Iroga, Solomon Islands, described the alleged assault as “a shocking
attack on press freedom and the safety of journalists doing their jobs.” “No journalist
should ever face intimidation or physical harm for reporting on matters of public
interest,” he said,
“Ms Kuku has filed a statement to Police and authorities must act swiftly to identify
those responsible. This will demonstrate that such behaviour has no place within state
institutions.”
Pff also Iroga called for protection of journalists especially female reporters who
maybe soft targets
PFF urges the Papua New Guinea Correctional Service and national police to take any
grievances through written and direct complaints to media organisations to allow media
to carry out a transparent, independent investigation and ensure the safety of all
journalists covering public agencies.
“We also commend the National team and all editors and publishers who take swift
action and call out these threats to their front line staff, particularly women journalists
who are often targeted with specific verbal abuse, shaming and sexualised threats in
ways that men do not suffer,” he said.
A widely respected senior reporter amongst Pacific colleagues, Kuku is well known for
her analysis and coverage of governance and gender-based violence.—ENDS
Like this:
Related