Page 29 - IB April 2025

Media
DEATH OF A HERO

VANUATU MEDIA FREEDOM FIGHTER FALLS
By Len Garae This was an independent print medium which planned to
challenge a traditionally male-dominated society in which ‘big
Once seen as a troublesome foreign media person, Marc- men’ were not used to be criticised or told they were wrong.
Neil Jones has been laid to rest as a hero in his new home, The Daily Post started with five people on the staff. MNJ
Vanuatu. was a generous publisher who loved his kava.
Often referred to as MNJ, Jones arrived in Vanuatu over 40 He would spend Vatu 5000 on kava for reporters to tail
years ago from England and immediately introduced a brand MPs and Ministers to popular nakamal (kava bars) where they
of investigative, confrontational journalism to the country. would imbibe enough drink to reveal sensitive government
As publisher of the Vanuatu Daily Post, the country’s decisions on issues of national interest.
only privately owned newspaper, MNJ bravely lit the flame As the Editor, I was working late one evening when a
for media freedom and paid for it by being verbally and number of men quietly entered the front door.
physically attacked. Focused on my computer screen, I recognised a voice
Most of those attacks were instigated or performed by behind me, which called: “Tawi, yu go hom naoia kwiktaem!”
people of power and influence. (Brother –in-law, please hurry home now!”)
MNJ was once threatened by a government minister who I rushed home thinking someone wanted an urgent
was prepared to send a bulldozer to drive through the Post’s interview, only to find no one at home. Then I received an
office. But MNJ and his staff continued to work unperturbed. urgent phone call which warned: “Please do not come back.
In a few short years, he created a platform for independent Come tomorrow; our sports reporter was badly assaulted and
news in Vanuatu and became a recognised symbol of taken to hospital.”
resilience and a staunch defender of press freedom Next morning, I arrived at work to find dried blood outside
throughout the region. the door, which was padlocked. MNJ arrived and had the
Generations of journalists were influenced by him and his appropriate authorities unlock the door. We all returned to
fight for the truth, which helped shape the media landscape our desks and continued writing as if nothing had happened.
in the Pacific. Another afternoon, some people quietly entered the
MNJ’s initial Pacific arrival was in Papua New Guinea but he newsroom and went straight to MNJ’s office and assaulted him
soon crossed the sea and settled down in Vanuatu where he at his desk.
married Jenny. I heard him scream, “Please don’t,” and realised his office
He bought a local business advertising company—the was full of men. Two senior reporters who knew the men
Trading Post—and wanted to turn it into a proper newspaper. spoke to them in their language, and ordered them off the
Two challenges loomed large for MNJ: he was not a journalist; premises.
worse, he was a foreigner. Then there was a case involving MNJ’s sudden deportation.
Around that time, I had resigned as editor of the He was placed on a plane and flown to Sydney.
government mouthpiece, Vanuatu Weekly, due to political His lawyer had the case overturned overnight.
pressure. MNJ became the first foreigner to be ordered back to Port
I had drafted a letter on behalf of my 26 colleagues in the Vila within a record 48 hours.
Department of Media Service (which comprised Radio Vanuatu From 2017, The Trading Post became the successful
and Vanuatu Weekly). The letter challenged the decision of Vanuatu Daily Post. The newspaper had its own printing press
the PM’s Office to appoint a new Media Director. and successfully killed the government’s Vanuatu Weekly.
The response from the PM’s Office was akin to: “You are a All 13 government ministries began to treat the newspaper
tool to do what the government instructs you to do. You have as their own, and political threats died down.
no right to tell the government what to do. If you are not Speaking at a funeral service for MNJ, his business partner
satisfied, the door is open.” said Jones left a lasting impact on the development of
That was when I walked out and became a freelancer. independent journalism in Vanuatu, ensuring that the
MNJ sent the editor of the Trading Post brochure at the country’s media continued to evolve and grow despite the
time, Kalvau Moli, to find me and take me to Hotel Rossi for odds.
lunch with the man and his colleague Gene Wong. ITS News reported, “Marc Neil-Jones’ legacy is
“Len, can you start a newspaper for me?” immeasurable. He not only created a platform for
“Why me?” I asked. independent news in Vanuatu, but he also became a symbol of
“Because you are a trained journalist and readers in resilience and a staunch defender of press freedom.’’
Vanuatu know your name. I will make sure your stories carry MNJ died following a long fight with diabetes and was
your byline on the front page. People will see your name and buried at Mele Maat Village Cemetery. He is survived by his
buy my paper,” he replied. son, Manu, and his widow, Jenny.
I agreed. It worked.

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