Department of Communication Arts (Journalism)
Media Freedom Day 2009 - "Promoting Mutual Understanding & Reconciliation"
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A picture story
"It was full of infotainment provided by energetic performers, great singers and articulate speakers."
In the words of Br. Michael McManus, Head of Communication Arts Department, the MFD celebrations at Divine Word University was in deed the best yet. One of the highlights of the day was the student's tribute to veteran journalist and Communication Arts lecturer Ian Boden, who passed away at the Modilon General Hospital this year.
It featured Ian's contributions to the early journalism developments in PNG, his contributions to government and later his work with the journalism students at DWU. An Australian citizen, Ian spent a large part of his life in PNG where his wife Delma hails. He was laid to rest in East New Britain.
Recognizing their contributions to the documenting and production of some of Papua New Guinea's unique films, The National Film Institute of PNG was this year's recipient of the DWU/UNESCO Communication and Development Award. Among those collections were those related to community and cultural development issues such as "Real Options" co-produced by AT Projects Inc. and National Films Institute, "Lukautim Bus" directed by Chris Owen and "Man Without Pigs" also directed by Chris Owen.
In his response, Chris wrote of the early days of the NFI. "The genesis of the present day NFI dates back to the year of self-government 1975, and the establishment of the RaunRaun Theatre in Goroka, with its own small Video Outreach Unit. This Outreach Unit soon out grew its initial purpose and metamorphosed through a series of names and place changes; becoming firstly the 'Skul Bilong Wokim Piksa; followed by an amalgamation with the Institute of PNG Studies Film Unit, then followed an integration with the National Research Institute's Cultural Studies Division." Accepting the award on behalf of NFI was Chicco Michelle Baru, trainee film maker and Robert Buleka, an NFI executive.
Adding prominence to the day were four interesting guest speakers.
Mr. Kumi Kispe, UNESCO representative was present to convey the Media Freedom Day message on behalf of UNESCO Director-General Koichiro Matsuura. The message reiterated the role of the media as an arbitrator in the face of globalization to encourage and facilitate communication across cultures which are increasingly becoming complex. "Respecting cultural differences while preserving freedom of expression will always exist as a tension to be debated and negotiated in any democracy. UNESCO believes that frank, even harsh speech is our right unless it seeks to incite discrimination, hostility or violence. Any attempts to restrict the right to freedom of expression must be balanced against this criterion."
Award winning PNG journalist Scott Waide said that journalists in the country have been doing their job of informing people of controversial issues. And went further to stress that people now have to use that information to make a change, especially at the polls. "We can write a hundred stories about illegal immigrants and human smuggling...We can write about disappearing millions and investigations by the Public Account Committee... But the media is good only if ordinary people and those in authority take the information we supply and use it to make informed decisions. If the systems and authorities don't take steps to address the problems we expose, then our attempts amount to very little", he said.
Coral Reef Alliance Field Representative to PNG, Jennifer Baing drew attention to the use of television as a tool for creating an awareness of the diverse natural environment in PNG. Catholic Archdiocese of Madang Project Officer Alexander Popen shared his fish farming, youth targeted project. His colorful picture slideshow gave many insights into the hardships of setting up community based projects. In response to his presentation, final year student Cyril Akuani noted some problems that contribute to why projects fail. He highlighted poor exits strategies, cultural differences/misunderstanding between NGOs and community, lack of participatory involvement and non-dependent NGO and community relations as factors contributing to project challenges.
The occasion also saw the launch of e-Diwai, an electronic version of the formerly produced Liklik Diwai, DWU's journalism student training newspaper. e-Diwai designer and final year student Chris Tabel said e-Diwai was taking advantage of DWU's technological advancement, while acknowledging its current 'paperless policy' amid the current global recession. DWU Vice President-Academic, Br. Andrew Simpson officially launched the virtual newspaper.
This year's MFD celebrations was organised by the 3rd year Communication Arts students with help from Social and Religious Studies Department and the PNG Studies Departments.
While formal celebrations took place on May 1st, World Media Freedom Day coincided with DWU's annual Open Day on May 3rd. This gave an opportunity for the journalism students to create awareness about media freedom, while displaying their exhibits.
Until next year...
Media Freedom Day 2008 - "Community Building through Community Media"
May 2nd 2008
Media Freedom Day for Divine Word University was celebrated this year on May 2nd at the SVD Memorial Auditorium. For the first time, the Arts Faculty of DWU worked in partnership with the CA Department to organise and host the event. Joining us was United Nations Resident Coordinator Jacqueline Badcock. She highlighted on the issue of gender inequality in Papua New Guinea and took the opportunity to refer to the launching of the Gender Buzz Programme, which will air on FM 100. "Gender, as you know is a complex issue of social and cultural norms that dictates the power structure of men and women in societies, their roles, rights and most of all their vulnerabilities at the backdrop of poverty, social injustice, limitations in participation opportunities in building a nation and policy dialogue", she said. Dr Badcock reiterated the importance of recognizing May 3rd as proclaimed World Press Freedom Day by the UN General Assembly in 1993. "It serves as an occasion to inform citizens of violations or press freedom, a reminder that in dozens of countries around the world, publications are censored, fined, suspended and closed down, while journalists, editors and publisher are harassed, attacked, detained and even murdered," Dr. Badcock said.
The highlight of the day was the presentation of the DWU UNESCO Communication and Development Award to Oseah Philemon of Post Courier and the PNG Business Coalition Against HIV and AIDS (BAHA). Mr. Philemon, Editor in Chief of the oldest daily paper in PNG, led a strong campaign against illegal guns in the hands of criminals. "In granting this award, the Divine Word University is sending a strong message to the Government of the day that is is seriously concerned about the increasing presence of illegal guns in Papua New Guinea - and the lack of political will to address the problem", said Mr. Philemon. Receiving the award on behalf of BAHA, Jean Nuia thanked the university and UNESCO for recognizing the efforts of BAHA in the fight against HIV and AIDS in PNG.
The campus theme this year was Community Building through Community Media. Guest speakers included Rosa Koian from Bismark Ramu Group who spoke of community media and citizen participation. Anisah Issimel of Radio Madang presented the findings of her research conducted in 2007. This research titled Radio as a Partner to the Government in Rural Development: A Case Study of Radio Madang. Michael Novinga, a stringer with Wantok Niuspepa talked about Reporting from the Village, giving insights into different methods of how journalists can interact with rural village dwellers and report issues arising there.
Of course, the creative dramas that entertained the audience came from various departments of the Arts Faculty - depicting how 'media creates perceptions', 'corruption at its best' and 'media contributing to rural development'. This year a Media Freedom Day song was composed by Althea Mase and Stanley Mark (CA Yr2) and sung by Stanley.
May 3rd 2007
Matilda Gaveva receiving her award from Mr. Obe Emekekwue as Br. Andrew Simpson shakes her hand.
Students and staff of the department proudly carry the chair for UNESCO to host Media Freedom Day celebrations on May 3rd every year. The organising committee is traditionally comprised of students in the third year of degree studies. One of the highlights of this day is the presentation of the DWU Communication and Development Award. It is the university’s recognition of outstanding contributions by individuals and or organisations to communication and development in PNG.
This year, the campus theme for Media Freedom Day was 'Promoting Children's Rights through the Media', while the international theme was 'Press Freedom, Safety of Journalists and Impunity'.
The 2007 recipient of the newly named UN and DWU Development Journalism Award went to Matilda Gaveva of the Kundu Services for her contribution to promotion of children's rights through broadcast journalism. Ms Gaveva hosts the Kundu Club program, which is designed to give children a voice through radio. Ms Gaveva has been a broadcast journalist for twenty years and said she found it much easier to interview the prime minister than it was to interview children.
Presenting the award was Mr. Obi Emekekwue, United Nations Communication Specialist who also gave an overview of the UN's overarching work with advocating media freedom and children's rights through its various agencies. Another key presenter was Dr Laura Zimmer Tamakoshi, a researcher on women and children's rights in PNG.
May 3rd 2006
Kevin Marai receiving his award from DWU Vice-President Dr, Cecilia Nembou
Previous winners of the award:
2008: Oseah Philemon, Post Courier and PNG Business Coalition Against HIV and AIDS BAHA)
2007: Matilda Gaveva, Kundu Services
2006: Kevin Marai - Karai Radio and Appropriate Technologies Project
2005: Scott Waide - EM-TV and
Jada Wilson - Word Publishing
2004: Roger Hau'Ofa - FM100
2003: Jacob Kaka - NBC Enga and
Susuve Lomea - Post Courier
2002: Veronica Hatutasi - Word Publishing
2001: Late Robin Sela - Post Courier
1999: Ruth Waram - Post Courier and
John Eggins - EM-TV
Their Stories
Ruth Warram
Surprised and lost for words was the reaction from Ruth Waram, when she heard she had won a Divine Word University Journalism Award. Ms Waram said that she did not know what to say when she picked up the phone and was told by DWU journalism head Joe Weber that she had won the print media award.
Thirty-two-year old Ms Waram is a mother of two and comes from Wau, Morobe Province. She graduated from the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) in 1988 with a diploma in journalism and has been working ever since. "I started off with Word Publishing, and stayed there for three years," she said.
Ms Waram left Word Publishing in October 1991 and went to the Post Courier, where she worked the night shift in sub-editing. She did sub-editing for three months before moving on to working in the 'Women Today' section, remaining there until August of 1995 when there was a vacancy in the Business section. "I had no experience in Business at all. I had to learn my way around," she said.
Ms Waram said that in one of her overseas trips last year, she and other delegates, apart from sitting in workshops, were able to do practical work on British newspapers. She worked on the Birmingham Post, where one of her business articles was fornt page. "I was scared the first day because the newsroom was so big," she said. She added that she got over it and got a few other stories published. Ms Waram said: "It was a good experience. We met a lot of people and learnt a lot from each other."
In relation to the DWU Journalism Award, she said that there had been various awards in the South Pacific region, but none for PNG alone.
"It's a good move and incentive," she said. She said that journalism was tough and not an eight to four job. "Journalists are 'on call', like doctors and nurses," she said. She said that although it was not a well-paid job, a lot of satisfaction resulted. "You get to meet people from all walks of life and you travel to different places," she said. She added that how successful one becomes depends on oneself.
The highlight of her career was the satisfaction that came out of her reporting efforts. She noted one recent piece was the NPF story she broke. The feedback had pleased her.
John Eggins
The inaugural winner of the Divine Word University Journalism Award in the electronic media category, John Eggins is someone who needs little introduction to all EMTV viewers. But the journey that Mr Eggins took to be where he is - News and current affairs director of EMTV, is worth recounting.
The journey that Mr Eggins travelled since walking out of University of PNG with a diploma journalism in 1976 is a story of 25 years of absolute dedication to journalism, particularly in the electronic media field.
John landed on the current position back in 1987 when EMTV was just beginning.
Prior to entering the embryonic television field, he was a radio man, working for the National Broadcasting Commission (now Corporation).
He exited the national broadcaster at Popondetta where he was the station manager of Radio Northern. Before Radio Northern, Mr Eggins managed Radio Enga. In between, his NBC days, he worked in various roles in the news and current affairs section. In 1985, he won the Paulus Arek Award for a current affairs piece he did on a tribal fight.
Mr Eggin's move to television was a case of trying out something new. And it found a niche, having been with EMTV for the last 14 years. While at EMTV he has gone for short training stints on the Nine Network's Sydney studios and up at the Darwin regional station. The Nine Network is EMTV's parent company. In addition, he did various in house training. Mr Eggins has also traveled overseas for media related conferences, notably PINA.
He says what keeps him going after 25 years - spread between radio and television - is in his own words "the beauty of journalism is that there is no age limit. Each story is different and interesting you want to cover it."
His interest in journalism shows in him do reporting as well even though his position is to give orders to younger reporters.
John is perhaps best known by the PNG public for his weekly Sunday News Commentaries. Besides this he does the Monthly Tok Piksa program and is involved in various other documentaries as they come by. Currently, he is frantically crisscrossing the country, trying to put together a 30 minute documentary each for the 20 provinces for the silver jubilee celebrations in September.
President of DWU, Fr Jan Czuba, said Mr Eggins was recognised by DWU through the Award for his high quality of work in the electronic media, particularly television. He has been particularly recognised for initiating the Tok Piksa program and Sunday news commentary on EMTV. The judging panel of DWU journalism lecturers have also noted him for his first interview with Pirouz Hamidian-Rad, former Prime Minister Bill Skate's economic adviser. Media Freedom Day
Media support
PNG's national media provide considerable support for the work of the department. Oseah Philemon, editor of the Post-Courier set up and launched an international appeal in 1999 to provide the department with additional books on journalism. It helped swell the library's resources with donations coming from as far afield as the UK and the Philippines. The Post-Courier also provides a regular supply of international newspapers and magazines and covers the costs of printing the Diwai magazine.
The Religious Television Association is another strong supporter of the work of the department and helps train students in broadcasting skills.
The National Broadcasting Commission, the Post-Courier, The National, The Independent, PNG FM and EM TV all supported the work of the department by taking students on three-week long workplace attachments. Next year it is hoped to extend these to a period of six weeks.
Close links have been established with the Media Council of PNG and the Pacific Islands News Association.
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