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 media in 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.
Comments are closed.