Papua New Guinea’s Communication Minister Timothy Masiu has expressed openness to criticism regarding the government’s proposed new media policy. The policy, now in its fifth draft, aims to promote freedom of expression and support media development through training and capacity building.
Speaking at last week’s Pacific International Media Conference in Fiji, Masiu acknowledged the criticism from organisations like Transparency International PNG and the Media Council of PNG. “It’s good to get critiques. That’s what makes us strong and want to move forward,” he told RNZ Pacific. “We want the policy to be widely accepted by our people.”
Masiu emphasised the need for media practitioners to understand their roles and responsibilities, noting concerns about untrained individuals writing for media companies. “If they are good enough to write, we send them to school, give them funding support,” he said.
He also pointed out that many parliamentarians might not fully understand the media’s role, highlighting the importance of protecting media freedom in PNG. “It’s an industry on its own, a pillar on its own,” Masiu said.
