PNG ranking affected by proposed policy

THE Government’s proposed media development policy adversely affected the country’s ranking in the world press freedom index, says PNG Media Council president Neville Choi.
According to the index released earlier this month by Reporters Without Borders, an international organisation focused on safeguarding the right to freedom of information, PNG was ranked 91 out of 180 countries surveyed this year.
According to the index report, Fiji had improved its ranking to 44, joining the top-tier of countries with free or mostly free media after a new government last year repealed a draconian law that threatened journalists with prison terms.
Samoa, ranked 22nd, was considered the regional leader in press freedom.
“Just the hint of a policy that could regulate the country’s media industry has caused us to fall from 59 to 91,” Choi said.“We should acknowledge the power outside media organisations perceive us in PNG.
“However, even though our colleagues in Fiji have jumped higher than we have, with the removal of a draconian media law, much of the systems that were in place previously are still there.
“So even though they have risen in ranks, they are still finding it difficult to get information from their government.”
Choi said regardless of PNG’s ranking, the country’s media industry was improving. “The global index ranking might not reflect the true story. I am positive about the future of media in PNG as we still strive to maintain a level of transparency in what we do.
“If the Government is serious about protecting independent media and free speech, there are ways they can support the industry without being seen to influence it,” he said.