PNG media has boycotted the coverage of APEC leaders’ arrival today.
Local media covering the arrivals in Port Moresby have been refused entry while the National Airport Corporation and protocol officers allowed the international media through.
The media were also refused entry yesterday whilst trying to cover the bilateral meeting between the Chinese President Xi Jinping and the other Pacific leaders.
“We waited all night. The same happened today,” journalist from a local TV station, Quintina Naime, said.
“We filled forms for passes – with the international media – yesterday, around midday, thinking the issue of (airport) access would have been resolved by now.
“We have no idea why they let the foreign media through but restricted us.”
This occurred during the arrival of the US Vice-President, Mike Pence, at around 11am today.
Though staff of the US Embassy later extended an invitation to PNG media to join them, the group refused.
(PNG journalists at the Jackson’s International Airport's VIP terminal today)