SOCIAL MEDIA & COALITION PARTNERS MEDIA CONFERENCE TO DELIVER PETITION

By Sonja Barry Ramoi

For the first time in PNG's political history (possibly World History) an Opposition Leader has publicly advised that he will not hold any more press conferences with mainstream media until he becomes PM.

Opposition Leader, Hon. Belden Namah has agreed to receive a petition from Social Media anti-corruption activists at a press conference at 3pm today; which is addressed to the Prime Minister of PNG, Peter O’Neill. 

The presence of all social media admins does not necessarily indicate that they support the petition. They are invited to be present to report on an event which is history in the making.

Invited Facebook groups, blogs and websites:

PNG NEWS

Sharp Talk

BLUNT TALK SHARP ACTION

Dear Govt of PNG

Defence of PNG and its National Interests

Malum Nalu Blog

Masalai Blog (Emmanuel Narakobi)

Media Watch

Namorong Blogspot

National Affairs Council

Paitim Garamut

PIKSA

PNG Anti-Corruption Movement (PNGACM)

PNG Perspectives.com

PNG THINK TANK

PNGFacts.Com

Public Policy Digest

Sharp Shooters

Talking Edge

The Nationalists (PNG)

The PNG News Page

The Talking Edge PNG

The Truth As It Is

Votim PNG

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Belden Namah, held a press conference yesterday at his Office in Parliament in which, only the social media was invited. Namah affirmed the Oppositions view that the mainstream media was firmly under government censorship.

In recent times, I have seen that .. media… the mainstream media has been suppressed. Most of my stories haven’t been run, especially to do with high level corruption in this country,” Namah said

The meeting was also a familiarization gathering where members of online forums met with the Opposition Leader and discussed media relations going forward.

Keen to avoid the perception that citizen journalists were ganging up against the government, a spokesperson said they were interested in presenting the truth.

“We here in the social media, try to be as neutral as can be and we try to expose what we think is inappropriate and not good conduct,” the spokesman said.

The meeting ended with the understanding, that all opposition communications will now be handled via social media.