Learn from Timor-Leste, says former council head

National

THE Government’s media draft policy if passed will put a stop to reporting news that are not “positive” for the country’s image says former Papua New Guinea Media Council director Bob Howarth.
Howarth, who was director from 2001-2005, said that the national government needed to seriously look at the way the media scene in Timor-Leste had thrived from next to nothing in 1999 when its violent emergence from foreign occupation became full democracy.
“The small nation has the highest press freedom ranking in the region and has a very active press council supported by the UNDP and several foreign NGOs,” Howarth said.
“It has a staff of 35 and runs professional training for local journalists in close co-operation with university journalism schools.”
“Visiting foreign reporters don’t need special visas in case they write about ‘non-positive’ issues like witchcraft murders, tribal warfare corruption or unsold Maseratis.”
Howarth said that with easier online meetings, thanks to Zoom PNG’s new look, the media council could include input from UPNG and Divine Word journalism schools plus a voice from critical regions such as Bougainville, Western Highlands and Goroka.
“And Timorese journalists can easily contact their President Jose Ramos-Horta, a staunch defender of press freedom and media diversity, without going through government spin doctors,” he said.
Howarth said the Government could look into the media scene in Timor-Leste to do their media policy.