May 06, 2010

The media in PNG has in many cases chosen to be timid when it should be confrontational, according to Scott Waide, an experienced journalist now working for Madang-based NGO Bismark Ramu Group.

He was speaking at Divine Word University’s annual UNESCO Media Freedom Day celebrations held at its Madang campus on Friday April 30.

The media ensures there is transparency in a democracy, he said, so that decisions affecting millions of people are not made without public scrutiny.

“In theory, that is how it is supposed to be,” he said.

But in practice the media must guard itself against potential lawsuits by engaging in a form of self-censorship that waters down the truth so that leaders are not offended, said Mr Waide.

“If media organizations pay more attention to what I call the government excuse of ‘investor confidence protection,’ then they will pay less attention to the people who will suffer because of their investment,” he said.

“Can we still say that we are championing the rights of the downtrodden? Are we the voice of the voiceless?” he asked.

Mainstream media has its limitations, Mr Waide conceded, as it follows strict rules, and it must be encouraged and strengthened, so that it produces balanced stories.

“But I think that corrupt leaders take advantage of the ethical guidelines used in mainstream media organizations,” he said.

“What about the ordinary PNG citizen who is beaten up by police in a remote logging camp?” he asked, adding that the mainstream media would struggle to find co-operative and authoritative sources to turn this into a ‘balanced’ and well-edited story.

But the mainstream media is not the only source of news for the people anymore, he said, as the internet is here to stay, and this citizen can now tell his story of being beaten up to an audience of millions.

“And he will tell his story unscripted, unedited and right from his heart – the real story,” said Mr Waide.

He encouraged students to write down their thoughts and put them on blogs.

“If you express your thoughts about domestic violence and help the abused mother of five tell her story, then you will nurture a movement of like-minded people who will push for change,” he said.

“What’s stopping you from causing change?” he challenged the students.

“Today we acknowledge UNESCO’s efforts to promote the two freedoms – freedom of media and freedom of expression, and we want everyone to use these freedoms in PNG,” he concluded.