Speech by
Rt. Hon. Sir Michael Somare GCL GCMG CH CF KStJ
Prime Minister
at the Second Anniversary Dinner of Sunday Chronicle Newspaper
[Holiday Inn, 05 August 2008]SALUTATIONS
It is an honor to be here tonight to join publisher, Wesley Raminai, and his hard-working team in celebrating the second anniversary of Sunday Chronicle - a wholly-owned Papua New Guinean newspaper.
It is indeed a happy occasion and deserves a special message – not only of congratulations from my Government but also – about the media’s role generally as the fourth estate.
Sunday Chronicle is showing the way forward for other Papua New Guineans to follow.
It is a weekly newspaper that has gone from strength to strength in just two years. It has become a newspaper with a growing readership and advertisers.
As one of the newspaper’s readers, I have noted the high quality presentation of news, views and in-depth feature articles and commentaries on topical issues.
It certainly provides an alternative to reading about the events of the week gone by and CERTAINLY is an excellent way to start a new week.
I get the strong impression that Sunday Chronicle takes a positive angle to national issues; that it strives to be community-friendly; pro-national development and pro-national unity.
These are excellent values for a newspaper that is still in its infancy. Overall, the Sunday Chronicle is a paper well worth reading.
That is not to say that I have not had my ups and downs with the media and media personalities in general over the span of my 40-year political career.
But the business community, the general public at large and other leaders in this room tonight have also had their ups and downs with the media.
From time to time, anger and frustration have been expressed; veiled threats have been made to the media fraternity.
But instead of rallying behind the usual media freedom catch cry, these should be taken as ‘wake-up’ calls by the media and its audience, viewers and listeners – to get our act right.
Is it worth it all? Yes, it certainly is.
Media freedom is my freedom. Media freedom is your freedom. Media freedom is our freedom. But with this freedom comes lots of RESPONSIBILITY.
I know our WANTOKS in Pacific Island countries like Tonga and Fiji have had some rough times with their respective governments over media freedom and freedom of expression.
But they are their own countries, with their own governing authorities who do what they perceive to be good for them.
Papua New Guineans should be grateful we have not trodden this path during my time in Parliament, nor do I think we ever will. But we must NEVER take this LIBERTY for granted.
We are a DEMOCRACY led by leaders who are elected by the people in DEMOCRATIC elections. Our elected leaders swear to uphold the principles of democracy enshrined in the National Constitution.
This includes freedom of expression.
Ladies and gentlemen
Sunday Chronicle has joined Wantok newspaper as a weekly newspaper, adding to our two dailies – the Post Courier and the National.
Competition is good and it is a BONUS when the ownership is in the hands of Papua New Guineans.
Come September, the government will also be launching the National Television Station (NTS), to provide an alternative television viewing to EMTV.
With the NBC undergoing a rigorous makeover under Joseph Ealedona, and the numerous FM radio stations we have, I think the PNG media industry is in a very healthy state.
Furthermore, the decision to establish the NTS has an added dimension, apart from bringing government and national development news and information to our people across the length and breadth of this country.
The establishment of NTS creates a need for the training of media workers, journalist and information officers and to spread them across the country, operating in all 89 districts.
This is where I want to give hope to the development of truly home-grown and wholly Papua New Guinean-owned media organisations and to the training and skills development journalists and other media workers.
The government through the Office of Information and Communication will have to look at a “Media Development Initiative” to achieve this goal and improve the quality of information gathering and reporting.
On a personal note, I feel there is too much PNG bashing by our media. If we are continuously being told that we are not good, eventually our people, our readers, our audience in general come to believe that we are not worthy.
Asian countries have addressed the issue of identity by nationalizing their media.
For some this can be open to interpretation and debate which incidentally is good. But we as a developing nation must realize that our institutions are only 33 years old. It is a proven fact that too much bashing is not good for anyone.
Coming back to this country I want to support, local entrepreneurs such as Wesley Raminai in doing his part in nation building.
While there is greater work to be done in nation building, we are in the best position ever as an economy. Outside interests in Papua New Guinea are at an all time high. Air Niugini is in a dilemma because there aren’t enough flights both internally and externally.
As the fourth Estate, you also have to have your fingers on the pulse. You must be aware of all the dynamics and present your stories in consideration of all the factors that are at play.
The public also take their cue from you so you have to be informed to serve their best interest in return.
In conclusion, may I once again congratulate Sunday Chronicle on your second successful year of operations.
To the publisher, Mr Wesley Raminai, the editor Sam Vulum, reporters and commentators anchored by Susuve Laumaea, the advertising and sales staff and the Sunday Chronicle family, I encourage you to keep up the good work.
Your challenge is to make Sunday Chronicle grow into a truly Papua New Guinean media icon.
I note that you have bought and imported onshore a set of printing presses which will enable you to print the paper yourself. I also note that you have been looking for a permanent home as a printing and publishing base.
I have taken note of your dilemma.
Like all friends of Sunday Chronicle, I too shall be watching your endeavors from here on with a great deal of interest.
I thank you for the invitation to be with you tonight on your second anniversary and wish you every success in the future.
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