Journos urged to step up

A MARINE biologist has challenged journalists and writers to take control of the issues that are affecting the development of the country.
Paul Lokani said this at the launching of the Seaweb media development programme in Port Moresby last Thursday.
He said that “breaking news” often comes from outside and not from PNG journalists.
“The kind of news we get today is dictated by politicians or about the crime rate,” Lokani said.
“Journalists today have a critical role to play today to make changes for the future.”
Seaweb PNG country programme manager Anaseini Vesikula Ban said their media development programme “sea series” aimed to enhance and build the knowledge and skills of journalists on marine reporting.
Ban said the six-month programme would start tomorrow at the Malangan Haus in Boroko.
“Experts and academics from the Nature Conservancy, PNG Centre for locally Managed Areas, Wildlife Conservancy Society, University of PNG, National Fisheries Authority, Department of Environment and Conservation, Office of Climate Change and Development, National Maritime Safety Authority and individual experts will be speaking to journalists and writers,” Ban said.
“The programme also honours the outstanding reporting on critical issues in PNG and will present a Papua New Guinea Ocean Journalism Award to a participant who successfully meets the requirements.
“The participant should demonstrate his or her commitment in writing to inform the public about important ocean-related issues and to elevate public discourse.
“Acceptable story formats are news pieces, profiles, features, or broadcast news pieces, documentaries, in-depth features, radio interviews and talk back shows.”
Lokani presented K1,000 to the programme for the total cash prize of K1,500.