Nauru a fake news victim like Clinton

The Nauru government claims the tiny Pacific island nation has become a victim of fake news - just like Hillary Clinton.

After losing the US presidential election Clinton warned of the "real world consequences" of the epidemic of so-called fake news - made up reports peddled by conspiracy theorists online.

Nauru's Justice Minister David Adeang says his country is also reeling from the toll of what he considers fake news.

Mr Adeang criticised Australian and New Zealand media outlets for their "irresponsible and shameful" reporting of what he says are fabrications from refugee supporters.

"These reports have a detrimental emotional effect on the peaceful people of Nauru who are being wrongly portrayed as violent by refugee advocates who care not about human rights but about political motives," he said in a statement.

There have been numerous allegations of violence towards refugees and asylum seekers on the island, however it is difficult for journalists to verify claims because access is restricted.

Nauru charges media outlets $8000 to lodge an application for a journalist visa.

So far it has allowed only an Australian commerical television film crew and newspaper reporter to visit Nauru.

Mr Adeang said because of "irresponsible reporting" other media outlets "could not be trusted to visit Nauru".

"We are concerned about the safety of all people on Nauru and would be putting lives at risk if we allowed irresponsible and disrespectful media to whip up trouble," he said.