New Zealand's parliamentary press gallery has echoed outrage in Australia at the Nauru government's decision to ban the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Baron Divavesi Waqa, President of the Republic of Nauru, addresses the United Nations high-level summit on large movements of refugees and migrants. Photo: UN Photo/JC McIlwaine
The Nauru government said it would not issue a visa to anyone from the ABC to cover September's Pacific Islands Forum summit, accusing it of bias and being disrespectful to its president.
The public broadcaster was to send a cameraman as part of a three-person media pool to accompany Australia's prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull.
Media advocates around the region have reacted with outrage, with the head of Australia's press gallery calling it an appalling breach of media freedoms.
The chair of New Zealand's press gallery, Stacey Kirk, said Nauru's decision was a clear violation of the right to freedom of expression, and follows already restrictive reporting conditions for the summit.
New Zealand is allowed six journalists at the summit.
The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat is yet to comment.
