THE Papua New Guinea media fraternity is in mourning following the tragic passing of Genesis Ketan, a vibrant trailblazer who served as the Treasurer of the Media Council of Papua New Guinea (MCPNG), a dedicated trainer, and a deeply cherished colleague.
Ms. Ketan passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with Rheumatic Heart Disease and Mitral Valve Stenosis, leaving behind a profound legacy of integrity, leadership, and mentorship that has touched newsrooms across the country and the wider Pacific region.
President of the MCPNG, Neville Choi, speaking on behalf of the Executives and Management Council, said the media fraternity in the country was in shock at the news of Ms. Ketan’s passing.
“We are in mourning. We have lost one of our best and brightest. Gen was an inspiration to many in the industry today. Her role as one of our first local Media Trainers was outmatched only by her determination to build and encourage young journalists and colleagues whenever she saw there was a need to.”
Stepping Up to Lead
Ms. Ketan’s leadership was defined by her willingness to step up when her peers needed her most. In 2023, while representing PNGFM as News Manager, she was elected by the MCPNG Membership to the Executive Board Position of Treasurer.
As Treasurer, Ms. Ketan successfully led the process of establishing the Council’s finances just in time for the staging of the Inaugural MCPNG Media Summit in 2025 to commemorate World Press Freedom Day, and the return of the PNG Media Awards event of the same evening.
Empowering the Next Generation
Beyond her executive duties, Ms. Ketan was passionately dedicated to modernizing PNG journalism. She was the Council’s Nomination alongside Post-Courier Digital Director, Mathew Vari to be the first two senior journalists representing the Council to receive Training of Trainers skills on Social Media Best Practices, facilitated by BBC Media Action in 2025.
Out of the first cohort of TOT participants from across the Pacific, Ms. Ketan and Mr. Vari were the first to roll out a series of training for mainstream media digital officers Lae, Mt. Hagen, Kokopo and Port Moresby.
A second Training of Trainers by BBC Media Action saw the pair return to build on their skills, now with Verification and Fact-Checking Skills. These were new skillsets they were to impart via another set of training workshops for mainstream media. Immediately on her return, Ms. Ketan sent a message saying she and Mr. Vari had learnt so much new information and content that she was excited to share with the rest of the digital teams in the media.
Tragically, the first of this second round of training was recently held in Buka. It was the first training which she would not be able to be part of.
A Fierce Champion for ‘Inside PNG’
Ms. Ketan’s impact was personal, intentional, and deeply felt by those breaking new ground in the industry. To InsidePNG, Ms. Ketan was a colleague who extended words of encouragement and support for their cause.
“She believed in our potential to lead, supported our women-owned and run media company, and expressed her belief in our capabilities,” said Kila Wani, Managing Director for InsidePNG.
She encouraged each of the team members individually to keep fighting the good fight, to never back down, and to lead in the face of adversity.
“Her hope for our team will be honored and cherished, and she will be missed dearly.”
An Indelible Regional Impact
Ms. Ketan’s exuberance and forthright attitude drew many to her, and she impacted the lives of many young media friends and colleagues – not just in PNG, but across the region. Her first regional media experience came in September of 2024 when she attended the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) Summit in Niue as a representative of the MCPNG.
MCPNG President, Neville Choi said, “Gen attended the 2024 PINA Summit in Niue representing the Media Council. It was also her first PINA Summit, so she had many questions. Afterward she expressed how she had learned so much about regional media and its personalities.”
This first positive experience helped her build her confidence in speaking on behalf of PNG Media, on any stage. Her last formal representation of PNG Media came as part of an official MCPNG Delegation to the Global Investigative Journalism Conference in Kuala Lumpur last year. This conference exposed her to ways to improve investigative journalism and media training in PNG.
Even in her most recent role as a producer of a panel discussion at the 2026 Media Summit, her individual mentoring and encouraging of her panelists (mostly editors) displayed her passion to build younger colleagues.
‘Holding the Line of Truth’
Those who worked alongside Gen remember a woman of immense strength, profound empathy, and zero pretense.
“Gen inspired us all. If it wasn’t a critical analysis of something you had done, it would be through words of encouragement for you to be better, and not to apologise for being where you are because of your own hard work,” said Choi.
“To her staff, she was firm. To her friends, she was loyal to a fault. To those whom she pulled aside to impart words of wisdom to, she will never be forgotten.
“To her colleague executives of the MCPNG, Gen was hope. Hope that the future of PNG media rested in one of what could turn into many sets of hands that would hold the line of truth and integrity. The Media in PNG has lost one of its best.”
The national media landscape has lost a cherished colleague, a sister, and a dear friend. On behalf of the Members of the Media Council of Papua New Guinea, thoughts and prayers are with Gen’s husband Ray, her beautiful young children, her extended family, and her tribe.
