Parliamentary Committee to look into journalists’ suspension cases

The Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Communication plans to hold an inquiry into cases of journalists’ suspensions because of their work in the country.

This is after public backlash on the suspension of Kalang Advertising Ltd’s FM100 Talkback Show host Cullighan Tanda, following an interview with Governor for East Sepik Province, Allan Bird on the popular radio show recently.

Committee Chairman and Member for Wau-Waria, Marsh Narewec made this announcement following a meeting yesterday with Mr Tanda, FM100 CEO Bill Wartovo and Media Council of Papua New Guinea [MCPNG] President Neville Choi who each provided a brief to the Committee, their standpoints of the issue.

Mr. Narewec stated that, as the Committee responsible for oversight on communication and media issues in the country, it will convene to deliberate on the recent suspension, as well as similar cases in the past.

He said that this falls within the Committee’s jurisdiction and is aligned with its Terms of Reference [TORs], which mandates the protection of media freedom—a fundamental principle that ensures the right to communicate and express oneself freely through various media, including print and electronic platforms.

Relevant stakeholders, both organizations and individuals, will be invited to present their respective submissions on the issue.