Media urged to preserve human dignity

THE Papua New Guinea media have shown their commitment to support the elimination of violence against women and children.
The media, through the Media Council of PNG (MCPNG), has joined the Department of Community Development, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and other agencies in saying no to violence against women and children in PNG.
The MCPNG honoured the commitment through the signing of a media banner supporting the initiative of the 20 days activism on “Say no to violence against women and children”.
The 20 days activism begins on Nov 20 with the celebration of the International Children’s Day followed by the International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women on Nov 25.
“The immediate action for the media is to improve reporting on gender-based violence and child abuse including gender sensitive reporting and ensure event on women and children issues are covered and analysis provided, mainstream violence against women and children in the code of ethics, market media as an advocacy tool and consider discounts on relevant adverts,” MCPNG president Joe Kanekane said.
He said the media through the council was committed to the task and looking forward to reinforcing media’s role in advocating the issue.
Community Development secretary Joseph Klapat said violence against women and children was  “a disease”  affecting PNG but could be addressed if everyone, including the media, took ownership of the issue.