Twenty-three students from Mougulu Secondary School in Western Province visited the National Ambulance Service headquarter in Port Moresby for some emergency life saving tips.
The excursion is part of the school’s educational program for first aid.
Mougulu Secondary school is located in remote Middle Fly District.
The school was established in 2019.
This year the school will graduate its first grade 12 students.
Founder of the Mougulu Secondary school, Mrs Sally Lloyd said health care is one of the problems that persuades students to drop out of school.
A simple request by Mrs Lloyd to the Management of St John Ambulance Service made the visit possible.
Mrs Lloyd said because of the schools geographical location it was important that they learn first aid from professional ambulance officers.
Mougulu is a small mission station and is only accessible by small engine aircrafts and it is very hard for medivac or transporting sick people.
The only means of transport in Mougulu is canoe. The villagers use the river to access education and basic health needs.
The 23 students received attainment certificates from St John’s Ambulance following the completion of the training.
St John Ambulance’s Public Relations officer, Lulu Mark urged other schools in the country to also take part in such programs to learn life saving skills.
The PNG Trade Union Congress (PNGTUC) representing its members and collectively 228,000 members of Nambawan Super Limited has appealed to squatters illegally occupying portions of land at 9-Mile in Port Moresby also known as ‘Bush Wara’ to respect the Court’s decision and vacate the area.
Vice President of PNGTUC, Lowa Tambua said the 120 days grace period is enough time for the people to voluntarily move out of the area. The grace period ends on July 10, 2024 and eviction commences on July 11, 2024.
On June 27th, 2024 the Supreme Court dismissed three Review Applications filed by illegal settlers on portions 2156, 2157 and 2159 and ruled in favour of Nambawan Super Limited.
A statement released by the Superannuation company, said it followed all legal requirements to lawfully secure the land titles.
It said the court’s decision now allows the Sheriff’s office and the police to proceed with executing the eviction.
NSL strongly urged all illegal squatters to immediately dismantle their personal property and voluntarily vacate before July 11,2024.
Daniel Mollen another member of the PNGTUC called on citizens to do due diligent checks before purchasing land to avoid future evictions.
Illegal settlers occupied the 200 hectare land which was acquired by Nambawan Super Limited in 1990 and since then, NSL has been defending its title in court until 2019 when it was granted full titles.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Generative AI was the hot topic as journalists all over the world gathered in Manila, Philippines for the 2024 International Media Conference.
With the theme “ The Future of Facts”, discussions started off with how artificial intelligence has taken information creation and sharing to a whole new level.
Panelists discussed how AI can be used as a tool in the newsroom and the challenges that come with it.
The panelists were:
Khalil Cassimally, Head of Audience Insights, The Conversation,
Don Kevin Hapal, Head of Data and Innovation, Rappler
Irene Jay Liu, Regional Director for Asia & Pacific, International Fund for Public Interest Media and
Howie Severino, Editor at Large, GMA News Online
Khalil Cassimally shared how the conversation was able to repurpose information to the younger audience using AI and how it proved to be very effective.
Don Hapal from the Philippines Rappler said the AI tool Chatgpt, was very helpful in profiling candidates in the Philippines General Elections.
While a lot of skeptical questions rose from the audience regarding factual information generated by AI, Irene Jay Liu, the Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, International Fund for Public Interest Media, said it is important that newsrooms must be responsible for fact-checking all information they want to disseminate.
She also added that traditional newsrooms must accept the fact that the audience is ahead of us and already using AI.
The panel, involving journalists and Online specialists called for newsroom collaboration to remain relevant and act quickly by helping to formulate policies that regulate the use of AI so it is not abused.
A businessman from Western Highlands Province is a free man despite the Court finding him guilty of being in possession of explosives.
McQueenie Waia, 54 was found guilty by the Mt Hagen Summary Offences Court and sentenced to two years imprisonment with hard labor.
However, further orders of the Court will see Waia serving a suspended sentence with conditions.
Waia’s sentencing comes nearly a year after his arrest in a joint police and military operation aimed at cracking down on alleged illegal arms trafficking in the upper Highlands provinces.
According to police reports, Waia was arrested and charged along with two other men last July in a sweep that saw police seize three guns and hundreds of rounds of bullets including military grade ammunition from his Mt Hagen residence.
Waia was, however, prosecuted for the possession of one hand grenade that was seized in the raid.
Presiding Magistrate Baptist Fehi ordered that the whole term of imprisonment is suspended on the following conditions;
The Defendant is to enter into recognizance to be of good behavior for two years with his K10,000 National Court bail converted to his surety and he is required to appear for conviction and sentence when called on at any time during such period
With the two years, he is prohibited to have in his possession any forms of firearms and ammunitions, with all his firearm and ammunition licenses suspended for that period.
For the two years, Waia was ordered by the Court to surrender all his licenses, firearms and ammunitions to the Western Highlands Provincial Police Commander for safe keeping.
Waia refrained from involving himself in any firearm or ammunition related activities or allegations during the two years period.
Six InsidePNG staff are in Manila to participate in the bi-annual International Media Conference hosted by the East-West Center (EWC) in Manila, Philippines.
Inside PNG is part of the Pacific Island contingent, supported by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP).
The prestigious global event brings media professionals from around the world to discuss current trends and challenges faced by the media industry.
The InsidePNG team, comprising journalists and experienced editors, is looking forward to gaining valuable insights, networking with their international counterparts, and sharing their experiences in covering stories that matter to the people of Papua New Guinea.
The conference, organized by the EWC and partners from various countries, will feature panel discussions, workshops, and presentations on topics such as investigative journalism, press freedom, media ethics, artificial intelligence and the role of journalists in promoting transparency and accountability.
“We are excited to represent InsidePNG at this prestigious international media conference in Manila,” said Charmaine Yanam, Chief Editor and co-founder of InsidePNG.
“We are grateful to OCCRP for recognizing the importance of an independent newsroom that transmits through it’s continued support in pursuing investigative reporting.
This is the second time for InsidePNG to attend this event, the first was in 2022 where only two representatives attended. This time, six staff are in attendance.
InsidePNG Managing Director, Kila Wani (second from right) and Sincha Dimara (First left) standing with team at airport. This picture was taken in 2022 before Wani and Dimara left for Honolulu where the IMC was hosted in 2022.
“What makes it extra special for InsidePNG is, as an independent media organization, we have been selected along with five other Pacific Island media organizations as recipients of Financial Investigative Reporting Mentoring Project.
InsidePNG staff Charmaine Yanam and Julie Badui Owa are on this project for three years,” said Wani.
“This is a huge achievement for me personally and for Inside PNG, as we envisioned it to be an expert in that niche of journalism in Papua New Guinea.
There has been a lack of Financial Investigative Journalism or in-depth research and reporting on the topic in PNG; hence to have this opportunity and the backing to delve into it is a huge achievement. There are a lot of books that needs looking into; and this mentorship program will greatly assist us understand the financial language and hold those misusing public money accountable,” said Yanam.
Mrs Julie Badui Owa said “Inside PNG, although at its infancy stage, with only two years into operation, plans to be the leader in investigative journalism in the country.
“What we are focused on is influencing the trend of journalism through investigative journalism that has been lacking in PNG over the years.
Badui-Owa attributed her statement to three main reasons:
Lack of resources from media organizations
Security
Lack of training and capacity building.
“As a Lead Investigative Journalist with Inside PNG, I am privileged and blessed to be one of the recipients of the FIRM assistance project through the East West Center.
“With the great assistance and support from EWC through FIRM, I believe my Team and I will help contribute in generating change in Journalism and to effectively report on facts, or tell those stories that affect us and that matters; so everyone can participate in democracy.
“I believe we will make a big difference in bringing positive change through the stories we tell, and bring confidence back to the members of the public to hold those in power accountable for the betterment of our country and the world,” expressed Badui-Owa.
The team’s participation in the conference is expected to not only enhance their professional skills and knowledge but also foster greater collaboration with media professionals from diverse backgrounds, ultimately benefiting the media landscape in Papua New Guinea.
“Our journey embodies resilience within the media realm. As a newly established independent investigative journalism organization, we strive for not only financial sustainability but also the voices of the people amidst adversities and uncertainties, particularly in the face of the pervasive influence of social media and AI.
“Currently, our efforts are driven by volunteerism and partner donors in Organized Crime Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), EWC, and Internews and we continue to seek sustainable funding to fortify our operations for the long haul,” expressed Kila Wani.
She further emphasized the significance of press freedom and investigative journalism in today’s media landscape.
“Press freedom is the cornerstone of democracy, and investigative journalism plays a pivotal role in holding power to account and uncovering truths that would otherwise remain hidden.
“We, as journalists, have a duty to uphold these principles and safeguard the public’s right to information.”
The presence of InsidePNG staff at the International Media Conference signifies their commitment to press freedom, ethical journalism, and the pursuit of truth in an era marked by skepticism and misinformation.
**Inside PNG is a member centre of the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP)**
Nestled in the Tubusereia waters of Central Province, Papua New Guinea, a transformative initiative called Hiri Coral PNG has been doing wonders in the local marine life since 2017. This pioneering environmental service is not just about cultivating coral; it’s about catalyzing change, rejuvenating marine ecosystems, uplifting local communities and sparking a passion for marine conservation among the youth. An idea that stemmed to life from Igo Gari’s thesis during his PHD studies in Bond University, Hiri Coral PNG was awarded runner up amongst nine Pacific Innovative and Social Entrepreneurs in the 2023 Pacific Islands Blue Economy ClimAccelerator Program.
[[Photo: Hiri Coral PNG/Facebook]]
Through a blend of modern sustainable farming and traditional knowledge, Hiri Coral PNG is breathing new life into ailing coral reefs. As Igo Gari, the founder of Hiri Coral PNG, expresses, “Our coral farming efforts are not just about growing coral; they are about restoring balance to our oceans and ensuring a sustainable future for all.”
By involving local fishermen, traditional custodians in coral farming activities, the initiative not only supports the recovery of marine biodiversity but also creates sustainable livelihood opportunities for coastal communities deeply reliant on the sea.
Attaching coral fragments to a metal spider frame. [[Photo: Hiri Coral PNG/Facebook]]
At the core of Hiri Coral PNG’s mission is the establishment of coral nurseries that serve as havens for a myriad of marine species. Igo Gari emphasizes, “Each coral nursery we nurture is a beacon of hope for the future of our oceans, a sanctuary where marine life can thrive and ecosystems can flourish.”
“We have to date, planted 17, 000 coral plants, this is equivalent to the size of 6 rugby fields altogether”, says Gari. “Much of the work is done by the local fishermen, who are the traditional custodians, and I give them full credit as it is a laborous venture and through their efforts, we have managed to restore the marine diversity in the local reefs’ “, he added.
[[Photo: Hiri Coral PNG/Facebook]]Coral beds. [[Photo: Hiri Coral PNG/Facebook]][[Photo: Hiri Coral PNG/Facebook]]
Beyond conservation efforts, Hiri Coral PNG is nurturing a sense of environmental stewardship among the youth. “Our goal is not just to conserve marine ecosystems, but to raise awareness amongst our young people about the importance of sustainable coral farming for a healthier future”, says Igo Gari.
Despite its noble goals, Hiri Coral PNG faces challenges on the path to sustainability. “Marine Conservation has its challenges, but it is our shared responsibility to overcome them for the sake of our oceans,” reflects Igo Gari. From coral bleaching events triggered by climate change to pressures from overfishing and pollution, the initiative grapples with threats that undermine its mission of marine restoration. Limited funding and evolving socio-economic dynamics further test its resilience and long-term viability.
Healthy coral growth on a reef star coral frame. [[Photo: Hiri Coral PNG/Facebook]]
Amidst these challenges, there are positive impacts that stand out since Hiri Coral PNG’s establishment. “Rejuvenation of marine life, bringing financial opportunities to traditional custodians and building awareness amongst young people for a better future, are amongst many positive impacts”, Igo stressed.
Igo Gari’s vision and leadership have made Hiri Coral PNG to be a beacon of marine conservation efforts in Papua New Guinea. While Mr. Gari ventures to another area in life in terms of career pathways, his unwavering commitment to restoring coral reefs, empowering local communities, and inspiring the next generation of conservationists serves as a guiding light in the quest to protect our oceans.
As Igo Gari eloquently puts it, “Our work at Hiri Coral PNG is not just about saving coral; it’s about safeguarding a way of life, a connection to the sea that sustains us all. Together, we can create a legacy of conservation, resilience, and hope for the future.”
The Supreme Court of Papua New Guinea has issued an order staying the National Executive Council’s decision to promote and appoint Commodore Philip Polewara as Chief of Papua New Guinea Defence Force and Colonel Opa Lari Opa as Deputy Commander of the PNGDF, pending the outcome of Major-General Mark Goina’s court case.
In August of 2023, the Prime Minister James Marape suspended Defense Commander Major-General Goina for three months to allow the General Board of Inquiry (GBOI) to investigate a fatal shooting incident involving two servicemen, one soldier and a civilian during a training exercise in Kupiano, Central Province.
The shooting incident happened on July 4th, 2023.
Presiding Judge, Justice David Cannings, issued the court’s orders, under sections 19 and 5(1)(b) of the Supreme Court Act, effectively putting on hold the National Court’s earlier decision from May 14, 2024, in case OS(JR) 177 of 2021, and the associated proceedings.
Key elements of today’s Supreme Court’s ruling include:
1. Stay on NEC Decisions: The court stayed the NEC’s decisions published in National Gazette No. G386 on May 24, 2024. This includes the revocation of Major-General Goina’s appointment as Commander and Chief of the PNGDF and his discharge from the rank of Brigadier-General. Additionally, the promotions of Commodore Philip Polewara to Rear-Admiral and Colonel Opa Lari Opa to Brigadier-General, along with their new appointments as Commander and Chief, and Deputy Chief of the PNGDF respectively, are also stayed.
2. Restraints on New Appointees: Commodore Philip Polewara is restrained from occupying the office of Commander and Chief of the PNGDF and performing related duties, except in his capacity as Acting Commander under his previous appointment. Similarly, Colonel Opa Lari Opa is restrained from assuming the office of Deputy Chief of the PNGDF and performing associated duties.
3. Prohibition on Implementation: The order prohibits all officers, servants, and agents of the NEC and the Attorney-General from taking any steps to implement the NEC’s decision, including conducting hand-over takeover ceremonies.
4. Stay on Related Proceedings: The court also stayed National Court proceedings in case OS(JR) 102 of 2023, involving Major-General Goina and Prime Minister James Marape among others, pending further order.
A directions hearing for Goina’s case is scheduled for July 1, 2024, at the Supreme Court before Justice Cannings at 1:30 pm.
The perception that Papua New Guinea’s standard of Journalism is dropping was part of discussions during the three days of Inquiry into the role and impact of Media In Papua New Guinea, the inquiry facilitated by the Parliamentary Committee on Communications unearthed an interesting predicament that faces the Mainstream Media Industry in Papua New Guinea.
The perception that there is a drop in the standard of journalism and the quality of journalists in recent years has been attributed to many factors.
During the inquiry three participants mentioned that the low standards of education at the secondary school level is a contributing factor toward the low output at the university level.
President of the Media Council of Papua New Guinea and seasoned journalist, Neville Choi, said many media houses have to retrain graduates because they are not grasping the basics that lead to a promising career in journalism.
Poor grammar and writing skills have been a clear indication of the drop in the level of journalism, Universities have argued that they are research institutions and are not responsible for basic English and grammar.
Independent Journalist and renowned Papua New Guinean Journalist, Scott Waide called for more funding to be put into the education system to improve the facilities to foster better teaching and learning.
Scott Waide said he had in previous years trained a lot of journalists and cameramen, he also saw that it was easier to recruit those outside of the school of journalism and train them to be journalists.
Professor Cecilia Nembou, Vice Chancellor of the University of Papua New Guinea concurred with shared statements on the drop in education standards in both the University and the Secondary school system.
Professor Nembou mentioned that as a university, they require the best lecturers, however, that costs money.
She says academic staff of the university should not be viewed as public servants and be limited to a public servants pay ceiling.
She added that Universities, especially Government run institutions should be given the freedom to set their own salary packages to lure qualified lecturers to improve the standards.
She highlighted that salary packages for academics was really poor, and that it was the same at the secondary school level where teachers are being paid poorly as well.
Scott Waide also emphasized the need for education geared towards utilizing recent and trending innovations in Technology, this will in turn help students to be more efficient and innovative to help improve workflow and maximum output.
THE Secretary for the Department of Information Communication and Technology, Steven Matainaho, says his department is on their fourth draft of a Media Development Policy that would improve training and capacity for Media personnel and state-run institutions like universities, that provide courses on journalism.
This was highlighted during the inquiry into the role and impact of mediain Papua New Guinea hosted by the Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Communications; a committee made up of members of parliament.
Matainaho added that the Media Development Policy is in its draft phase, and as the name suggests is a Media Development Policy and not a regulatory policy.
Many in the Media fraternity were concerned that the policy was a way to control or regulate the Media, which would infringe on the democratic right of free speech, however, those claims were brushed aside by the Secretary.
To support the policy, the Secretary added that when they did a survey and a public consultation, they found out that there is an immediate need for training and capacity development.
Matainaho added that the Government is not doing enough to provide training incentives for universities.
The majestic Kikori River, one of the life-lines of the Great Papuan Plateau, spanning 144km meandering into the Gulf Delta holds an abundance of flora and fauna that has sustained the local people for generations.
For as long as the Veraibari villagers can recall, they have never felt threatened by this majestic wonder, until recent years.
Mr Tofinga Isaiah remembers a village that once had long sandy beaches and hundreds of mangroves as buffers, protecting the village.
The village sits at the mouth of the Kikori River. The long sandy beach is now, only a memory for Isaiah.
Memories his children and grand children will never have.
As the sea level continues to rise, it floods the basin, pushing water further back inland, affecting villagers that have lived in harmony with the river and the sea for many years.
Sea level rise is an effect of climate change, due to the extreme releases of green house gases such as carbon dioxide and nitrogen into the atmosphere by manufacturing companies throughout the world.
Developed countries emit 90% of the total green house gas emissions.
And while the government cuts deals with developed countries to claim climate funds and donor assistance, the very people suffering from the impact of rising sea levels are left clueless about their future.
A youth leader, Gary Toru said they have a fair idea of what climate change is, but they need help to put a stop to it. He spoke in “tok pisin”.
“Mipla save olsem long overseas, ol kukim planti oil na gas na displa kamapim climate change. Mipla lukim senis kamap long ples so mipla nid long stopim displa climate change”. (We understand that the burning of oil and gas by countries abroad is causing climate change. We are seeing the impact first hand so we need to stop climate change).
Seeing the knowledge gap and its challenges, Piku Biodiversity Network (PBN) has stepped in to assist Veraibari villagers understand the global aspect of climate change and how the impact is felt locally.
Director and founder of PBN, Yolanie Amepau said it’s important for the impacted villages to understand, that what they are experiencing is the changing of the climate.
“They also have to understand words such as impact and adaptation and mitigation,” she explained.
“The word climate change is new. It’s new to a lot of communities.
“We know a lot of communities that are being dispossessed because of climate change and Veraibari is one of them. Veraibari is a village caught between the river and the sea.
“The workshops we conduct is to understand their interpretation of climate change and how they plan to address the negative impacts”.
The workshop sees representatives from organizations such as Environment Defenders and the Climate Change Development Authority together with Piku Biodiversity working together to demonstrate collaboration in addressing this crisis.
Ms Amepau said the community leaders are looking at relocating the village and that exercise would cost over a million kina; money the villagers don’t have.
But while plans for relocation are on foot, Isaiah thinks the only solution for now, is building a sea wall.
“I think the only solution we believe to help us control the climate change forcing waves, is to build a sea wall. We tried other solutions but it has not worked.”
Isaac said the other land belongs to someone else, they simply cannot infringe. His concern is they would not have the freedom to hunt, make gardens and gather food freely to sustain their families.
While non-government organizations continue to assist with capacity building so villagers are in a better position to help themselves, the solution to protect their village and their people is in their hands.
The Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA) unfortunately do not have the funding to assist, despite thousands of kina being committed by donor agencies.
The Acting Managing Director for CCDA, Ms Debora Sungi confirmed that most funds are parked with implementing agencies for capacity building workshops only.
CCDA is in the process of creating policies that will see a 5% equity from Carbon Deals retained by the authority to assist communities who are impacted by climate change.
For now, as negotiations continue at the top level and globally, for communities such as Veraibari village, they will have to summon community resilience and strength that has existed for generations to adapt to the new conditions in the village and also come up with community-based solutions to mitigate the impacts.
![InsidePNG Staff pose for a photo on Day 1 of the International Media Conference. [[Picture/Charlie Piringi]]](https://insidepng.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_0139-768x512.jpg "Six InsidePNG Staff Attend 2024 International Media Conference")
