BBC Media Action partners with NBC to boost media capacity in PNG

Acting British High Commissioner to PNG, Julian Murray handing over a High Definition camera to NBC Managing Director, Kora Nou at the NBC Headquarter in Port Moresby (NBC News)

BBC Media Action has signed a landmark agreement with the National Broadcasting Corporation [NBC] to strengthen media capacity and content production in Papua New Guinea.

Under the new Memorandum of Understanding [MOU], BBC Media Action, the international development charity of the BBC, has donated four high-definition cameras to NBC’s headquarters in Port Moresby. The donation marks the start of BBC Media Action’s first-ever project rollout in the country.

The signing took place in the NBC newsroom today between Acting British High Commissioner Julian Murray and NBC Managing Director Kora Nou.

Project Coordinator Reilly Kanamon said the collaboration aims to enhance NBC’s production capabilities and improve the quality of public-interest journalism in PNG.

“This is the first time BBC Media Action is implementing projects in Papua New Guinea, and we’re proud to be partnering with NBC in this important step,” Kanamon said.

Nou thanked the BBC World Service, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office [FCDO], and other donors supporting BBC Media Action’s work. He assured that the donated equipment will be properly managed and maintained.

BBC Media Action project coordinator Reilly Kanamon (left) and NBC managing director Kora Nou signs the MOU as British high commissioner to PNG Julian Murray looks on (NBC News)

“We have a written agreement in place to ensure staff exercise due care, both in reporting and in handling the equipment,” he said.

High commissioner Murray said the partnership with NBC reflects United Kingdom's government’s commitment to strengthening resilient and independent media across the Pacific through the Integrated Security Fund [ISF].

“NBC is the first recipient of this kind of support under the program. We’re delighted to begin this next chapter with them,” he said.

He added that the BBC Media Action program is already delivering impact through regional social media training workshops for journalists in Lae, Mount Hagen, and Kokopo, reaching 37 provincial reporters and 10 national trainers so far.

“This initiative is a vital step in building stronger, more trusted media in PNG and the Pacific. We look forward to many more fruitful engagements with NBC and our media partners,” Murray said.

The donated camera kits will support NBC’s content production and co-production work under the PNG Media Strengthening Project, paving the way for long-term collaboration between the two organisations.