China in a “demeaning” or “racial profiling” manner will be expelled.
The ABC’s Four Corners documentary, which examined China’s expanding footprint throughout the Solomon Islands, has received repeated criticism from the office of Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.
The agency accused Four Corners of participating in racial stereotyping and the “deliberate use of misinformation and distribution of preconceived discriminatory information” in an extraordinary and lengthy statement released on Wednesday that was directed at the national broadcaster and the show.
The ABC has already denied these allegations, stating that it stands by the program and emphasizing that its primary interviewees were Solomon Islanders who expressed alarm about China’s position there rather than outside experts.
However, the ABC was “trying to tell the Solomon Islands people that the Government of Solomon Islands is wrong, unfit, and corrupt because the Government of Solomon Islands is opening up to partners who are not, in ABC’s opinion, white and does not operate a democratic system,” according to a statement from Mr. Sogavare’s office.
It then seems to use that claim as a basis for entry bans on reporters, saying “the Constitution of Solomon Islands protects Solomon Islands from racial discrimination and the government of Solomon Islands will ensure that racial practices are eliminated from Solomon Islands.”
“ABC or other foreign media must understand that the manner in which journalists are allowed conduct themselves in other [countries] does not give them the right to operate in the same manner in the Pacific,” it reads.
“The Pacific is not the same as Australia or United States. When you chose to come to our Pacific Islands, be respectful, be courteous and accord the appropriate protocols.”
“Such organisations or journalists who possess such qualities will not be allowed to enter Solomon Islands and other Pacific Islands nations.”
The statement gives no information regarding the precise implementation of this ban or the precise limitations that might be placed on foreign journalists.
Whether any guidelines have been created yet, when the new regulations will go into effect, and whether they will apply to all foreign journalists are all unknowns. Journalists from Australia can currently apply for a visa upon arrival if they want to enter the nation.
