unsubscribe me says asian media appointee

OVERVIEW Island journos are bemused over the sudden declaration of resignation of an editor from pacific islands journalists online. "Unsubscribe me !" said National editor Yehiura Hriehwazi from Papua New Guinea. His email to the group contained no criticism or explanation for his decision to jump out of the region's newest - and only - functioning media forum, barely two months old. Former editor, as it turns out. Hriehwazi, casual research reveals, no longer edits the National newspaper. In April 2007, ethnic Chinese owners from Malaysia had him "redesignated" regional manager of the company's new office and printing plant in Lae, to "cater for increasing circulation nation-wide." BACKGROUND Hriehwazi slid into the crosshairs this week when parts of an off-the-record debate online appeared in an editorial about the deportation of Fiji Sun editor Russell Hunter. He offered an immediate apology, and an explanation. Then resigned, without one. Lively debate continued. Pretty much like it used to at regional media mecca, the Fiji Press Club meetings at Traps, in Suva, Fiji. Someone would generally bang out the door before the night was through, an ethical dressdown from colleagues ringing in their ears. Online, pretty much the same, just without the beer, smokes and shouting. OUTLOOK Early days yet, but one media advocate described the forum as the "liveliest" she had seen in years. Welcome signs of life from a profession that has hid under an aid-funded blanket of silence for years. Evidence of the chilling effects of aid on freedoms of speech? Perhaps. But also of corporate correctness in Australia, and New Zealand, especially, where journalists are actively discouraged from self-examination, much less self-criticism. Welcome, also then, that PNG-led PINA, the Pacific Islands News Association, has gone on record in response to the Hriehwazi leak, rather than simply ignore everything, like former presidents, most recently from Samoa. As a private forum, pijo does not have as much transparency as some members would like. But OTR discussions from newsroom floors apparently help encourage public accountability from PINA, established, in Samoa, in 1976 and still the only regional media body more than three decades later. 30 days headlines PINA steers clear of RAMSI issue PINA urged Pacific media to be responsible Deported publisher 'touched' by support Outrage over publisher’s deportation from Fiji PINA condemns Hunters deportation Fiji deports Australian publisher, citing threat to national security MEDIA-FIJI: Activists Condemn Expulsion of Aussie Publisher Ombudsman unaware of facts related to Hunter's case but PINA ... Solomons in Need for Media Cooperation Government TV to telecast live on Independence Day 30 days google links web: ifex alerts for "pacific islands news association" news: ifex alerts for "pacific islands news association"