Naguri calls on journalists to have the urge for News

Member for Bogia, Robert Naguri has challenged all journalists in the country to have the urge for News and not sit down and wait for stories to find them.

He stressed this yesterday whilst speaking at the Regional Parliamentary Inquiry into the Standards and Integrity of Journalism in Papua New Guinea.

He said journalists must not sit down in the comforts of their newsrooms and ring around for stories.

Rather, they must make it their business to travel to the place where the stories are and collect them.

"Your job is to educate people, not report stories only. You must seek the truth for facts. You must have the urge for News. You must make it your business to find correct information," he stressed.

Mr Naguri also challenged journalism schools in the country to train good journalists, adding that the standard of journalism in Papua New Guinea has declined. He said the level of journalism reflects what's being taught in the institutions.

He further stated that journalism must be taught in the PNG context. For too long, journalism in Papua New Guinea is being practised according to some foreign concepts that do not suit our culture.

The Bogia MP also highlighted the need for the PNG Media Council to be strengthened and for journalists to always observe their code of ethics when writing stories for public consumption.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Inquiry and Member for Wau/ Waria, Marsh Narewec, suggested PNG journalists must be properly licensed to practice so that when one falls out of line, he or she can be disciplined or corrected by their association and according to their code of ethics.