Access to govt info requires new approach: Research

Government research conducted across Bougainville has laid the foundation for more targeted public awareness on the 2019 referendum.
The Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) has released a report on people’s access to media and communication channels to target awareness activities on the peace agreement and upcoming referendum.
The report is based on a survey of more than 1000 people across Bougainville.
It found that the varying but generally low access to government information required new approaches with greater attention to the presentation of information.
The report recommended tapping into new channels people are using such as mobile phones and video, but a general need to focus on the content of information with clear, simple and consistently repeated messages, designed with the target audience in mind – whether they be youth, women or people of different levels of literacy.
The survey was an initiative of the Bureau of Media and Communications and was conducted by the Centre for Social and Creative Media, University of Goroka.
Chief Secretary Joseph Nobetau thanked Bougainvilleans for their participation in the survey and assured them that the government was listening to their voice.
“This survey has gone down to the grassroots level to find out why awareness of the Bougainville Peace Agreement and government remains low,” Nobetau said.
“It found the use of traditional media – radio, newspapers and television, and newer internet channels – is very low especially outside Buka and Arawa.
“This creates a major challenge for government to communicate with its people.”
The research showed there was still confusion about key aspects of the Bougainville Peace Agreement. –  Bougainville News