PORT MORESBY: Chief Ombudsman Simon Pentanu says the South Pacific is a haven for probing journalism.

Speaking at the launching on Friday of the latest edition of Pacific Journalism Review and several other books, he noted that the Review focused on the Sandline affair with the theme "media and the mercenaries" and other regional press freedom issues, and was being published on the day after the second Sandline inquiry went into recess to prepare its report.

"Sandline proved inconclusively that in PNG truth is stranger than fiction," Pentanu said.

"How could such a stupid, costly decision - such as engaging Sandline - be made?"

He added: "We are all convalescing from Sandline."

The Chief Ombudsman also spoke in support of the University of PNG's School of Journalism, which has been at the centre of a week-long controversy about its future and shortage of staff.

Paying tribute to coordinator David Robie, who is leaving to join the University of the South Pacific, Pentanu said: "The School of Journalism has, in a relatively short time, generated its own vibrancy and its own energy.

"It gives a positive image of the university as a place of ideas and intelligent and considered thought.

"It has produced the goods not only in terms of its graduates, but also in 'hard copy' such as Pacific Journalism Review and the award-winning Uni Tavur newspaper."