22 November 2008
PNG media chiefs seek training link-up with PIMA
22 September 2006
By Helen Twose: Te Waha Nui Online
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Photo: Alan Koon
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A visiting senior journalist from Papua New Guinea has called for training links between the Pacific Islands Media Association (PIMA) and the Papua New Guinea Media Council.
Papua New Guinea National Broadcasting Corporation’s chief-of-staff Mulai Robby says “what we are looking at establishing is a partnership between the Media Council and PIMA.”
Robby says working together would produce better coordination of training and have mutual benefits for both organisations.
The PNG Media Council wants PIMA facilitators to run training workshops aimed at industry professionals, ranging in length from two days to one week, says Robby.
Funding for the programme is expected to come from non-government organisations such as UNICEF and environmental groups who want to train journalists reporting complex issues in Papua New Guinea, he says.
Robby is hoping to get the scheme running within the next six months.
“The sooner, the better.”
Robby’s state-run NBC runs a regional network of 19 provincial radio stations as well as the national news bulletins.
PIMA chairman John Utanga says although this was the first he had heard of the proposal he was “not surprised”.
“There’s always been a desire for some sort of relationship with an organisation such as ours,” says Utanga.
Utanga says using contacts and connections is how PIMA can hold a successful conference and “in a sense that’s what Robby is doing”.
Utanga did point out that PIMA was “run on the smell of an oily rag” and any training opportunities would need to be funded.
“It’s like most things – get the money and there’ll be people queuing up,” says Utanga.
Links:
- Media Council of PNG (postcourier.com)
- Media Council of PNG (Mia Thornton)
- PIMA
