By Lucy Kopana – EMTV News, Lae
As Papua New Guinea (PNG) marks Media Freedom Day, there is a lot to talk about including the past, present and the future of media freedom in PNG.
When the country gained independence, we had one of the most vibrant media in the pacific.
In the 70s and 80s, PNG, on the fringes of Asia, saw to the West, abuses by Indonesian Authorities against free press. To the islands, in New Caledonia, the Independence movement triggered threats and intimidation.
Over the last 30 years, Papua New Guinea has been faced with its own media freedom challenges. Assaults and intimidation have become regular with journalists, camera crews and photographers bearing the brunt of the assaults.
Over the last 12 months, journalists in Lae have been the focus of international attention after one was assaulted and another threatened.
In February this year, Lae based Post Courier Frankiy Kapin was assaulted following reports published on the media.
He reflected on the incident, saying It has made him realize that people still need to understand the role of the media, and the challenges faced in obtaining and disseminating information.
“For us in Papua New Guinea we still have along way for the general public at the most to really understand and appreciate the role of journalists with regards to media freedom. That’s the thing that is lacking. After the assault on me, that is my assessment of Media Freedom”.
The National Newspapers Bureau Chief in Lae, Junior Ukaha said the media should not be controlled, harassed or assaulted for doing their job.
“The media in my view represents the public so if you don’t allow members of the media to practice their profession, you are indirectly restricting the public from being given information.”
Sylvester Gawi from the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), says the media in PNG is not free.
“A lot of times we don’t have access to interview people. We don’t get to ask the questions that people want to know the answers to. Sometimes we are being barred from asking the questions that matter.”
“We have been threatened, given court orders and suppressed’”.
As journalists all over the world reflect on the future of media freedom, new challenges have come to the fore. How does the mainstream media handle the inaccuracies of social media? How does it remain relevant and maintain its integrity in the face of rapidly delivered user generated content?
