The Solomon Islands government is being urged to make its ministers and officials more accessible to the media.
Solomon Islands prime minister Manasseh Sogavare delivering his weekly public address which is broadcast on radio and online without journalists present to ask questions. Photo: SIG News Service
A statement from the Solomon Islands Media Association said journalists had great difficulty getting answers from the government and it was having a detrimental effect on media coverage.
The president of the association, Georgina Kekea, said having transparency and accountability was particularly important during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Kekea said the government's focus had been on making public statements and announcements without journalists present to ask questions.
"It's just like a one way thing that comes from government and reporters or journalists do not really have the chance to speak to the people, especially those in government representing the issues which we are faced with now when it comes to the issues with Covid and the information the the public needs to know."
Kekea asked that the government start by scheduling a weekly press conference for all media outlets.