Traditional Chiefs Want to Expel American Journalist from Yap Island

Traditional chiefs want to expel an American journalist, Joyce McClure, from Yap Island in the Federated States of Micronesia. The chiefs have written a letter to the Yap Legislature requesting for Joyce to be made 'persona non grata'. The letter which has been signed by nine chiefs, describes the journalist's activities as 'disruptive to the state environment and/or to the safety and security of the state'. They have also written off her news magazine and website, Pacific Islands Times, as 'fake news agency'.

The chiefs have alleged that Joyce's articles contained 'biased strong opinions against Asian ethnicity. Sources say efforts are being made to expel the journalist for her scrutiny of Chinese investment on the island. "They have been what I call cautionary tales about what the Chinese government is doing in terms of their Belt and Road initiative. Such stories have investigated pollution from a Chinese resort development and the operation of Chinese fisheries in local waters."

Joyces says she does not know which story the chiefs have issue with. She said it is a mystery. "I do wish they would come forward with examples of what they are talking about." The publisher editor-in-chief of Pacific Island Times, Mar Vic Cagurangan said the campaign against Joyce was consistent with a publishing climate where 'community connections influence what gets published'. She said it is not easy for a journalist in a small community, where everybody knows everyone - everyone is related.