PNG ranked 11 out of 14 PAC media index

Papua New Guinea has been ranked 11 out of 14 countries in the first ever Pacific Islands Media Index 2023 report launched today in Niue, on the sidelines of the Pacific Islands News Association or PINA summit.

The Pacific Media Freedom Index identified four common challenges faced by Pacific journalists which include weak legal protection for free speech and media, safety of journalists, economic challenges and socio-cultural barriers.

Pacific Freedom Forum Chair Robert Iroga says the main challenge in PNG were safety of journalists and socio-cultural barriers.

"Some reports may not be possible. Reporters may not be able to do some stories because they are related to a certain politician. That itself is a threat to media freedom and of course, if you report here, it tells you that some journalists are physically abused because of the reports they write about people they know or politicians," Mr. Iroga said.

Mr. Iroga says the Pacific Freedom forum has recommended for among others, that Government's across the region push for greater protection laws for journalists:

"We want to encourage media houses to diversify, if you are relying only on adverts, you have to find the means to support your business. Because once you are financially healthy, you can write stories that are deemed not to favor anybody but stay neutral", Mr Iroga further said.

The findings, a pilot from the Pacific Media were derived from an online questionnaire from 73 journalists across the region, the largest of 14 from PNG.

PINA commends PAC media index report

The Pacific Islands News Association has welcomed and commended the work by the Pacific Freedom Forum in the 2023 Pacific Media Index.

President and NBC Managing Director Kora Nou says it forms a baseline for other similar work in media freedom in the Region:

"We look forward to further comments to improve on. Like you said, 73 is not quite representative of the media situation in the region, but it's a starting point. So, we look forward to helping you guys further improve your efforts in 2020 going forward.

"I know it's not good reading for PNG as well, but like I said, it's better to be told where we stand and then the major challenge will be how to improve on our situation. So hopefully by 2024, we can have a better ranking and better readings, Mr Nou said.