anonymous critic attacks PFF as a ghost

. . . UPDATE Roughly five weeks after their inaugural meeting, formal registration of the the Pacific Freedom Forum took place this afternoon in Rarotonga, Cook Islands, a few hours after this post. NEWS An anonymous critic has attacked the region's most vocal media group as a "ghost organisation." The Pacific Freedom Forum has "no credibility" because it is not registered anywhere, does not have an office or a formally written constitution, says the critic.

"Ghost organisation? The PFF is neither a registered nor a formal organisation, nor is it afflicted to any recognised body. It does not have an established office/secretariat and cannot be located at any given formal

address. What is it then? It is not an NGO? It is not an entity of such? It is just a 'discussion board' of people. Therefore its use of a formal letter head is unauthentic nor any of its materials."

It is the second time PFF has been attacked by an anonymous critic. Under a subtitle "FACTS", the critic questions whether PFF has a "hidden agenda" but does not spell out what that might be. "It claims to represent freedom of speech, advocacy, and good governance - But it has no recognised standing, representation nor legality. For example, how PFF elected its Chairman and its members are questionable. The PFF mandate is 'suspect' and is one of self-seeking agenda," reads the email. Sent to IFEX, a global media freedom alert organisation, the email was forwarded to PFF who released it to the forum's private email list, full text below. IFEX and UNESCO Apia were also criticised for recognising and supporting PFF. Both organisations should focus on PINA, the Pacific Islands News Association, as the only formally established media group, reads the email. Most PFF members were dismissive. "Obviously, this person is very jealous and envious of PFF", said one. Another welcomed the attack. "Detractors keep us honest", said the member. There was also debate on whether to respond publicly to the second anonymous email, very similar in tone to the first. The first anonymous email was forwarded by a member of PFF to the forum with a plea not to "shoot the messenger" about the email contents, also critical of PFF not being registered. PFF was set up to support the Pacific Islands News Association on freedom of speech issues, with PFF registration currently taking place in Rarotonga. FULL TEXT Following is the full text of the letter to IFEX:

"It is with surprise that the Pacific Freedom Forum has been endorsed as a "formal" member of your organisation. The Pacific Freedom Forum is an "illegal" organisation. The IFEX have lost credibility by endorsing an unrecognised illegal entity. "You have brought shame on your standing and lost respect for who you are and what you stand for. "The IFEX should de-register the PFF ASAP until the PFF provide full prove of its registration, location, policy (constitution) as a formal entity. "FACTS "Ghost organisation? The PFF is neither a registered nor a formal organisation, nor is it afflicted to any recognised body. It does not have an established office/secretariat and cannot be located at any given formal

address. What is it then? It is not an NGO? It is not an entity of such? It is just a 'discussion board' of people. Therefore its use of a formal letter head is unauthentic nor any of its materials.

"Hidden Agenda? The PFF does not have any policy or constitution. It claims to represent freedom of speech, advocacy, and good governance - But it has

no recognised standing, representation nor legality. For example, how PFF elected its Chairman and its members are questionable. The PFF mandate is 'suspect' and is one of self-seeking agenda.

"The PFF is not a recognised media training entity - It does not have 'recognised' professional trainers nor is it a formally recognised training provider in the Pacific apart from PINA. Yet, the PFF organises workshops and training programs. A clear conflict of status! The PFF is sending project proposals to donors and seeking funds to run workshops, and joint projects - under no formal policy and representation. The recent support by UNESCO in the funding for media workshop in Samoa in May 2009 for the PFF is a clear violation of the 'partnership' of the UN with a nonregistered/unrecognised entity, PFF. This is against all UN mandates for good governance and practise and a mockery of the activities of the media fraternity in the Pacific. "Warning- that PFF members and facilitators are not practising journalists and go by self-appointed 'proxy 'names such as proxy facilitators, proxy consultants, advocates and trainers to promote their own unrecognised personnel. The names appear to camouflage their true positions or standing, and thus hide their false presences. "Warning - PFF project submissions for funding and partnership with PFF are not in the best interest for formal media organisation. Any organisation associated with PFF or uses PFF material should reframe immediately to safeguard the ethics and governance of current collaborations and cooperation's of media organisations, and standing of the media fraternity in the Pacific. "The PFF has no credibility and does not represent the views of Pacific Journalists. The Pacific Media views are represented formally by the Pacific Islands Media Association (PINA), the formal body recognised in the Pacific region, and not PFF. "All media organisations should reframe from using any material from the PFF in so far as its mandate, legality and representation are concerned.

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