PNG DICT releases Draft National Media Development Policy for Consultation
The Papua New Guinea Department of Information Communication Technology (DICT) has released a first draft of the National Media Development Policy for consultation.
The purpose of the proposed National Media Development Policy is to outline objectives and strategies for the use of media as a tool for development, such as the promotion of democracy, good governance, human rights, and social and economic development.
Minister for ICT Hon Masiu has stated that 'it is important for the government and media organisations to work together to harness the potential of media to support development initiatives and promote a more sustainable and equitable world'
'The proposed policy is designed to conform to international norms and standards on freedom of expression, press freedom, and the protection of journalists, and should be designed to balance these rights with the need to protect the rights of others, such as privacy, security, and public order'
The draft Policy proposes a wide range of structural reforms including:
(1) Establishing the PNG Media Council through law with mandate of functions and powers to grow and protect the professional fields within the media sector.
(2) Widen roles of the National ICT Authority to regulate various aspected of media content and cross media policy.
(3) Reform and strengthen the National Broadcasting Corporations mandate to focus on local content and the digital space.
All stakeholders including operators of newspapers, radio stations, television online news, bloggers; journalist, content creators, and non-government organizations to access the draft National Media Development Policy on the PNG Department of Information and Communications Technology website and provide comments by 17th of February 2023.
Post a Comment