by Marie Kauna – EMTV Online, Port Moresby
In his panel discussion with EMTV’s YourVote2017, Governor for Northern Province, Gary Juffa among other priority points of discussion, highlighted social media and its benefits.
With today’s trending technology reaching out, the majority population in Papua New Guinea have smartphones and access to the internet. This sees rapid increase in the demand for smartphones and the use of internet.
Giving this as an example, Governor Juffa said social media is the way of the future and is becoming an important communication platform and information sharing avenue.
“I am on social media significantly. Apparently people can do this. It’s one way I get my information out to the people, it’s the future and a lot of people are connected”, said Juffa.
He said many people in the remote areas are now connected to social media, in particular Facebook. This makes communication a lot easier as well as sharing of information, and today, many read news and keep themselves informed on the happenings around the country.
While many see social media concept in this manner, there are still many yet to tap into it. He said leaders in the country should see social media as an important avenue both for communication and for the sharing of information.
“This is one thing a lot of leaders don’t realise, that a lot of people in their provinces in their electorates have social media, have access to the internet, they have smart phones, and you may not realise this but they are reading, they are catching up with what’s happening, Papua New Guineans are intelligent people, when they find something that’s fascinating, they tap into it, and that’s what they have been doing throughout this country.”
For someone who sees social media as a significant avenue for delivering information to the people, Juffa said those who dismiss social media, are truly moving backwards and not forward.
