Regional media organisations PINA and Pacnews must be immediately moved away from Fiji and the Bainimarama regime's intimidation, a major media event was told.

They should instead be resited in a safe media environment like the Solomon Islands, Media Association of Solomon Islands (MASI) president John Lamani said.

Regional news media must send a clear message against the worsening trampling on fundamental human rights in Fiji by moving PINA and Pacnews from this environment, he said.

Mr Lamani said in Solomon Islands the fundamental human rights to freedom of expression and information are cherished and flourish.

As a result Solomon Islands has one of the most free and vibrant news media in the region. Honiara is a place where PINA and Pacnews could operate properly and freely and without any questions marks over them, Mr Lamani said.

Mr Lamani, a Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) founder and life member, made his call on Saturday during World Press Freedom Day celebrations in Honiara.

The Solomon Star publisher told a large gathering at King Solomon Hotel that included Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua, Government and international officials, the judiciary, diplomats and MASI members:

"I want to make an offer.

"I want to say that MASI and Solomon Islands are prepared to become the regional news media centre Fiji no longer can be.

"For example.

"The regional media's PINA Secretariat is based in Fiji.

"It is supposed to fight and work for media freedom.

"But how can it do this properly from Fiji any more?

"A country where the news media are being attacked and intimidated by the Bainimarama regime?

"A country where the fundamental human rights to freedom of expression and information are being abused.

"A country where the rule of law is ignored.

"The PINA Secretariat must be moved from Fiji.

"Immediately.

"Moved to a free country like Solomon Islands where it can operate freely and without fear.

"PINA's regional news service Pacnews is also based in Fiji.

"But how can it operate and report freely from the Fiji of today?

"How can anyone be sure about what Pacnews is reporting?

"How can anyone in the region be sure Pacnews has not been intimidated?

"Pacnews and PINA need to be moved from Fiji.

"They need to be moved to a free country like Solomon Islands.

"Just as Pacnews was one time before because of the situation in Fiji."

Mr Lamani outlined how Honiara is already becoming a regional media centre.

MASI successfully organised and hosted last year's PINA convention, where Fiji journalists were able to tell of their suffering. Something they were not able to do freely in Fiji.

This year Honiara hosted a major regional Commonwealth training programme on development journalism. Something that could not be held in Fiji because Fiji is suspended from the Commonwealth.

Now as part of World Press Freedom Day events MASI had Fiji Sun publisher Russell Hunter in Honiara to give the World Press Freedom Day address. Something Mr Hunter was unable to do in Fiji after being forcibly expelled by the Bainimarama regime.

Mr Lamani said: "I love Fiji and the many good people of Fiji.

"I went to university in Fiji.

"I have many true friends there.

"I am saddened by what is happening to them.

"But the region cannot just sit by and watch what is happening in Fiji today.

"The region's news media cannot sit by and do nothing while the regime tramples on fundamental human rights we cherish.

"The right to freedom of expression.

"The right to freedom of information.

"Not forgetting the right to the rule of law.

"The regional news media must send a clear message to the Bainimarama regime.

"It's time.

"Time to move regional media bodies like PINA and Pacnews out of Fiji. Immediately.

"Time to move them to a free country like Solomon Islands.

"A free country where PINA and Pacnews can operate freely and without fear.

"Without a climate of intimidation.

"Without question marks over everything they do because of the situation in Fiji today." Solomon Star, 11/05/08.