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A New Era of Media Excellence
National Media Development Policy 2023
Policy Issue Statement:
Papua New Guinea’s media sector is in a state of flux due to technological advancements, shifting audience preferences, and evolving industry norms. Despite its critical role in informing and empowering citizens, the sector faces numerous challenges, including regulatory gaps, limited professional standards, and insufficient support for local content creation. The rise of digital platforms and social media has further complicated matters, leading to issues like misinformation and ethical lapses in journalism. Last but not the least is the outdated existing colonial Printers and Newspapers Act 1956. Given these challenges, there’s an urgent need for a comprehensive policy framework to steer the development of PNG’s media landscape, ensuring its vibrancy, independence, and alignment with societal needs.
Policy Intent:
The National Media Development Policy is designed to address the multifaceted challenges facing the media sector in PNG and to harness its potential as a driver of social, cultural, and economic development. The policy aims to:
- Promote Media Freedom and Independence: Uphold the principles of media freedom, freedom of expression, and editorial independence, ensuring that journalists can operate without undue interference or censorship.
- Enhance Media Professionalism: Establish standards of professionalism, ethics, and accountability within the media industry, promoting accuracy, fairness, and impartiality in reporting.
- Strengthen Regulatory Frameworks: Develop robust regulatory mechanisms to oversee media operations, including licensing, content standards, and adherence to journalistic ethics, while safeguarding press freedom.
- Support Local Content Development: Encourage the creation and dissemination of high-quality local content across various media platforms, reflecting PNG’s cultural diversity and linguistic richness, and supporting the growth of local media entities and content creators.
- Promote Media Freedom and Independence: Uphold the principles of media freedom, freedom of expression, and editorial independence, ensuring that journalists can operate without undue interference or censorship.
- Enhance Media Professionalism: Establish standards of professionalism, ethics, and accountability within the media industry, promoting accuracy, fairness, and impartiality in reporting.
- Strengthen Regulatory Frameworks: Develop robust regulatory mechanisms to oversee media operations, including licensing, content standards, and adherence to journalistic ethics, while safeguarding press freedom.
- Support Local Content Development: Encourage the creation and dissemination of high-quality local content across various media platforms, reflecting PNG’s cultural diversity and linguistic richness, and supporting the growth of local media entities and content creators.
By pursuing these policy objectives, the National Media Development Policy seeks to foster a vibrant, pluralistic, and inclusive media landscape in PNG that contributes to democratic governance, social cohesion, and national development goals.
Contact Information
Dept of Information & Communication Technology
PO Box 784
Vision City, National Capital District, PNG
Email:info@ict.gov.pg
Phone: +675 3250171
Location: Islander Drive, Waigani Drive, NCD