Polye calls for absolute Media freedom in PNG

PNG Opposition Leader Don Pomb Polye is urging editors of media houses in the country to create an objective forum for everyone to market his or her policies to the voters this election.
Commemorating the world Press Freedom Day today (Tuesday), Mr Polye said the mainstream media was not objective in their reports.
He added that they were more or less perceived as the government's 'propoganda machines' as reflected through their news contents.

Serving more than two years in the Opposition, Polye recalled a challenging experience to market the Opposition's policy and expose corruption through the mainstream media.
He said the Opposition was resorting to social media especially Facebook as a main conduit to educate and inform fellow citizens about issues affecting them.
"Regardless of external pressures our media heads encountered, the mainstream media at times strives to uphold an independent and press freedom.
"Today we should also remember and pay tribute to those who lost their lives in line of duty across the globe," said Polye.

He also called on media professionals to reflect on their past to charter a way forward to restore the credibility and standard of journalism in the country.
PNG, he said, enjoyed a free and vibrant press but now its glorious days had disappeared.
"Analytical and critical journalism is lacking in the country. Our journalists should stop reporting news straight from newsmakers but rather prove check or analyse facts and figures to get them right," a concerned Polye said.
Polye further said if his THE party formed the next government, he would legislate ways to address wage conditions of media workers as most of them are under paid.