Serving NBC journalist now a lawyer
Maivo Lafanama’s long run to the National and Supreme Court bar ended on Friday when receiving his law practicing certificate, among 126 new lawyers.
The National Broadcasting Corporation [NBC] journalist is now a lawyer after years of walking through the corridors of the Waigani courts as a reporter.
NBC Managing Director Mr Kora Nou who witnessed the admission ceremony said Mr Lafanama's achievement will greatly help NBC in terms of quality and accurate dissemination of news.
"He became a court reporter with NBC and was interested in taking up law [studies], we encouraged him to peruse studies in law and NBC supported him.
"Having a reporter who has more knowledge in the legal process will translate into better reporting at NBC, more in-depth and accurate and that is ideal for NBC," Mr Nou said.
The managing director said the state owned broadcaster will continue to encourage and support journalist to specialize in their reporting rounds.
"I would encourage those doing business and other areas [news rounds] to also be more knowledgeable in the [specific] field, [in order] to do a better [news] story.”
After years of reporting on admission of lawyers to the bar at the Waigani National and Supreme Court, the script changed with Mr Lafanama, been interviewed for this news article.
Mr Lafanama thanked NBC managing director for making time available despite his busy schedule to witness the event.
“Everything has been a challenge, managing a family, studies, and fulltime work was not an easy task.
"The management had faith in me and I am thankful to the NBC Managing Director Mr Kora Nou as well as the management for the financial support over the [last] four years.
"I’ll be giving back to NBC, supporting them through the newsroom.”
Mr Lafanama is currently employed in the NBC newsroom as the chief news editor radio, after starting off in the news organization as a court reporter.
Information and Communications Technology Minister Timothy Masiu commended NBC for supporting one of its senior journalist to attain a law degree.
“Maivo’s increased knowledge and awareness of the law, he will guide his fellow journalist in their daily reporting.”
Mr Masiu further encouraged other content creators in news, national radio and television to go for further studies in their respective specialize areas like political science, economics, climate change, and others, in order for more in-depth and comprehensive reporting.