Rapa calls for responsible media as inquiry opens in Highlands

Western Highlands Governor Wai Rapa has officially welcomed members of the Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Communications to the Highlands region, ahead of a three-day consultation which concludes today.

The delegation arrived in Mt Hagen over the weekend from Port Moresby and was received at the Sir Mara Haus, the Provincial Headquarters, where a formal welcome and briefing were held.

The committee is in the region to conduct consultations for the Highlands from June 22 to 24 at the Jiwaka Mission Resort in Jiwaka Province.

During the welcome, Governor Rapa acknowledged the importance of the committee’s visit and its focus, noting that misinformation and disinformation on social media, which have become widespread.

Rapa said the committee’s work was timely, saying that people need to better understand the distinct roles of mainstream and social media, and more importantly, the welfare and professional conditions of journalists and the media organizations they represent.

Goilala MP and Committee Chairman Casmiro Aia said the main purpose of the Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Communications is to promote responsible, high-quality, and ethical journalism to restore public trust in the media sector.

He said the committee will be reviewing the Cybercrime Act 2016 as part of its inquiry, and will also examine the challenges faced by the media industry. This includes exploring ways to strengthen journalism education, regulation, and professional standards across the country.

Aia encouraged journalists, media professionals, civil society groups, public institutions, and members of the public from the Highlands region to actively participate in the consultation.

He said their voices are essential in shaping a stronger and more transparent media environment for Papua New Guinea.