Pacific Media Centre hosted a May 3 seminar on media freedom. (Credit: Pacific Media Centre, screenshot)

University of the South Pacific professor Crosbie Walsh calls for a “code of ethics for journalists  in the Pacific to guide their performance to ensure balance with background information that puts news in perspective,” Scoop.co.nz reported.

He also highlighted during his speech at a May 3 Pacific Media Centre seminar on “Media Freedom in the Pacific,” lack of balance in reporting and the use of language that is either “inciteful” or related to “race or regional differences,” according to Scoop.co.nz.

Walsh related unethical reporting to “restrictions on the media” referencing criticism of the media’s balance and accuracy in reporting  by Papua New Guinea police and political officials.