Palau’s President Blames Media for Losing Credibility

The leader of the North Pacific island nation, Palau, has claimed that the country’s media has “lost its credibility” and is “not ethical”. President Surangel Whipps Jr made the statement in response to concerns raised by press freedom advocates after a company owned by his father sued the national newspaper, Island Times Palau.

The Lawsuit and its Aftermath

Surangel and Sons alleges that Island Times and its editor Leilani Reklai published an article with “false and unsubstantiated allegations” about how much tax was paid by Whipps Sr’s business. The company is suing both the newspaper and Reklai, seeking substantial compensation.

The lawsuit has sparked a heated debate about press freedom in Palau, with President Whipps branding the reporting as “propaganda” and “inaccurate”. Reklai has countered that Islands Times was being “intimidated”, and the defamation suit was aimed at “control[ling] how media in Palau tells a story”.

Support for Press Freedom

In a statement on 27 November, the Palau Media Council and Island Times thanked supporters for contributing toward the newspaper’s fundraising plea to cover legal costs.

“In these challenging times, when press freedom is increasingly under threat from legal pressures and attempts to silence critical reporting, your unwavering support sends a powerful message: our community stands united in defence of truth and transparency,” the statement said.

The President’s Views on Media

President Whipps told RNZ Pacific this week that media sometimes takes political positions and does not speak the truth because of politics. He emphasized the importance of media accountability and responsibility to the public.

“It’s about media being accountable and being responsible to the people,” he said. “Sometimes the media has its own twist on things, and everything from misprinting, not disclosing that and an ad in the newspaper was a paid political ad, or other issues that they did.”

Palauans’ Expectations of Media

Palauans want a reputable media that people can trust and that speaks the truth. The President believes that the media plays an important role in ensuring that the public is well-informed.

“The media in Palau has lost credibility, and if anything, what we need to do is help rebuild its credibility because of some of the practices,” he said. “Sometimes why media loses its credibility, is because they start playing politics and trying to sway opinion, not being ethical.”

Conclusion

The lawsuit against Island Times Palau has highlighted the challenges faced by press freedom in Palau. The President’s comments have sparked a debate about the role of media in the country.

It remains to be seen whether the media in Palau can regain its credibility and meet the expectations of the public. One thing is certain, however: the importance of a free and independent press in a democratic society cannot be overstated.