PNG Opposition leader Don Polye queries sale of EMTV

PNG Opposition leader Don Polye queries sale of EMTV

Papua New Guinea Opposition leader Polye yesterday expressed concern at the government’s acquisition of EMTV through the Telikom PNG at a cost of K27 million.

Polye in a statement said TV was an important mode of communication to satisfy the entertainment, education and information needs for our people.

“The government’s involvement in the media business portrays high prospect of compromise with the independence and objectivity of news and other programmes,” Polye said. He urged the government, through the Telikom board, to review its decision for the transaction.

Polye said it was economically unjustifiable for the government to involve in any businesses.

“Any government in the world is primarily obliged to provide necessary services like electricity, communication, transport and other infrastructure to accelerate economic activities and the government is no different,” he said. He said the opposition’s view was that the public-private partnership is a way forward 

for any state investments in the country.

“Our alternative government policy discourages the government from doing businesses.

“If or when the Opposition is in power, we will adopt other best economic models or to resell the company to recoup the taxpayers money,” Polye said.