State queried over draft media policy

SENIOR journalist Scott Waide has questioned the Government on what it actually wants to regulate in regards to the draft national media development policy.
During a policy consultation workshop in Port Moresby yesterday, he said “in the media ecosystem, there are many professions”.
“There are radio broadcasters, directors, editors, producers, camera operators, photographers, engineers, who have to be licenced, ICT professionals, public relation professionals, bloggers, podcasters, video content producers, social media influencers and a whole heap of them. What do you want to regulate?” he said.
“And there’s the problematic niche of news media and journalism. That’s the part politicians and legislators don’t really like.”
He said as a journalist, he was expected to follow rules which were enforced by the editor and the organisation.
“I am not supposed to lie, defame, slander, be disrespectful, harm, show nudity on the platform that I operate on. Those are the rules,” he said.
“And I disagree with the presenter from NICTA who says self-regulation does not work. This is my self-regulation right here.
“I am supposed to be honest, have integrity, accuracy, provide contextual truth, transparency, have respect and fairness, and be independent. All these are already self-regulation in the industry.”