{"id":996641,"date":"2023-02-17T01:18:23","date_gmt":"2023-02-17T01:18:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/asiapacificreport.nz\/?p=84756"},"modified":"2023-02-17T01:18:23","modified_gmt":"2023-02-17T01:18:23","slug":"ngo-group-criticises-haste-over-media-policy-that-may-hit-png-freedom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/radiofree.asia\/2023\/02\/17\/ngo-group-criticises-haste-over-media-policy-that-may-hit-png-freedom\/","title":{"rendered":"NGO group criticises \u2018haste over media policy\u2019 that may hit PNG freedom"},"content":{"rendered":"
PNG Post-Courier<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n An anti-corruption NGO in Papua New Guinea has criticised the haste with which the government is conducting consultation on a draft National Media Development Policy that could undermine media freedom.<\/p>\n The Community Coalition Against Corruption (CCAC) has called on the Department of Information and Communication Technologies to extend the time and breadth of consultation on this proposed national policy.<\/p>\n \u201cExtended and broader consultation is required for this as media freedoms are vital to our democracy,” the coalition said in a statement.<\/p>\n Minister for Information and Communication Technology Timothy Masiu responded quickly<\/a> and extended the deadline by one week from February 20.<\/p>\n In his capacity as co-chair of the coalition, Transparency International PNG chair Peter Aitsi said: \u201cThe two weeks given for consultation is not sufficient to consider the national and societal impact of this media policy and whether it is actually required.<\/p>\n \u201cFor instance, while the abuse of social media platforms is a new issue that is given as justification for the media policy, there are already existing laws that address the issue without undermining media freedom.<\/p>\n \u201cThis month, when we commemorate the legacy of the Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas Somare, we recall his personal stance when Prime Minister opposing the regulation of PNG\u2019s media when a similar bill was proposed in 2003.\u201d<\/p>\n Editorial independence ‘cornerstone’<\/strong>\n
\nAnother senior media spokesperson also said the government had failed to provide adequate time and conduct meaningful consultation over the draft National Media Development Policy 2023<\/a>.<\/p>\n