Reporters Without Borders has added its weight to calls on the Vanuatu government to review its rejection of a newspaper editor's work permit.
The media director of Vanuatu's Daily Post newspaper, Dan McGarry. Photo: Facebook / Dan McGarry
The rights group describes the move against Vanuatu Daily Post editor Dan McGarry as disgraceful.
Mr McGarry has linked the government's decision to his reporting critical of Vanuatu's deportation of Chinese nationals to China.
Vanuatu officials have denied the rejection is political, saying the Daily Post must be headed by a ni-Vanuatu under local laws.
Reporters Without Borders Asia-Pacific director, Daniel Bastard, said Mr McGarry had been punished for annoying the government.
"We call on Prime Minister Chariot Salwai to immediately reconsider a decision that is both mean and unjust.
"This crude violation of press freedom fuels grave concern about the situation throughout the Pacific region and must not serve as an example."