Media laws at Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea (PNG) is undergoing significant reforms in its media landscape, aiming to balance media freedom with national development objectives. The government has introduced the National Media Development Policy 2024, which is currently awaiting formal enactment by Parliament.
📝 National Media Development Policy 2024
The policy, titled "A New Era of Media Excellence," was approved by the PNG Cabinet in January 2025 and is set to be presented to Parliament for formal enactment It seeks to address challenges such as sensationalism, ethical standards, and the portrayal of violence in the media Minister for Information and Communications Technology Timothy Masiu emphasized the need for media to evolve and reflect the nation's value
🏛️ Key Provisions of the Policy
Media Council Reform The policy proposes strengthening and re-establishing the PNG Media Council as an independent body to represent and maintain standards within the media profession. The government aims to empower the council to hold mainstream media outlets accountable and establish protection mechanisms for journalists
Media Literacy and Training The policy includes provisions for media literacy programs and the promotion of female inclusion within the media industry, aiming to empower women in media production and dissemination
Local Content Development The government plans to encourage funding and distribution of local digital content, showcasing PNG's rich cultural diversity. A Government Media Advisory Committee (GMAC) has been established to oversee these initiatives
⚖️ Criticisms and Concerns
Despite the government's assurances, the policy has faced criticism from media freedom advocate. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) expressed concerns that the policy could lead to government control over media operations, particularly through the proposed restructuring of the Media Council into a regulatory body with the power to determine who qualifies as a journalist and to impose sanctions, In response, the Department of Information and Communications Technology has defended the policy, stating that it does not intend to infringe on the constitutional rights of freedom of expression. The department emphasizes that the policy aims to provide a legislative framework to strengthen the work of the PNG Media Council and to promote the media industry.
🌐 Social Media and Cybersecurity
In 2018, the PNG government temporarily shut down access to Facebook for one month to address concerns over fake accounts and the dissemination of pornography on the platform The shutdown aimed to allow researchers to analyse user activity and identify those hiding behind fake profiles or spreading false information
The Cyber Crimes Act 2016 provides a legal framework for addressing cybercrimes, including the publication of false information and online harassment The government has indicated intentions to strengthen enforcement of this act to combat cybercrime more effectively.
🧭 Conclusion
PNG's media policy reforms represent a significant step towards modernizing the media landscape. While the government's objectives include promoting media professionalism and supporting local content, the proposed changes have sparked debates about the balance between regulation and media freedom. Ongoing dialogue between the government, media professionals, and civil society will be crucial in shaping a media environment that serves the public interest while upholding democratic principes.
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