[asia-apec 1123] NZ: Journalist barred from Apec meetings

[Gatt Watchdog]

Evening Post, Wellington, New Zealand, 27/04/98

Journalist barred from Apec meetings

A man has been refused media accreditation to this week's Asia
Pacific Economic Co-operation (Apec) meetings in Christchurch for
what organisers say are security reasons.

Joe Davies, who works for Corso's Overview magazine, said his
previously approved media accreditation was revoked early
yesterday.

He planned to protest outside the Christchurch Convention Centre,
where the event was being held, with tape over his mouth.

"My only weapons are my tape recorder, my camera and my pen," Mr
Davies said. "Why is Apec, a huge organisation...afraid of me?"

Corso editor David Small said the decision was an "outrage against
free speech and critical reporting".

Apec Taskforce communications manager Brad Tattersfield confirmed
Mr Davies had his media accreditation turned down on the advice of
the police.  However, he denied it was simply because Overview and
Mr Davies were known to be anti-Apec.

"Anti-Apec journalists have been accredited and have attended
previous Apec meetings," Mr Tattersfield said.

Of the 76 people who had applied for media accreditation only one,
Mr Davies, had been declined, he said.

Operation Apec 99 media manager Robyn Orchard said police had
advised the taskforce of security concerns about Mr Davies.

"Police believed there was potential, in respect of this person,
for actions involving disorder," Mrs Orchard said.

"The taskforce took notice of police concerns and subsequently
declined his application for accreditation on the basis of
security.

"This was a matter we did not treat lightly and a recommendation
was only made after considerable deliberation." - NZPA