National Commission of Papua New Guinea for UNESCO

Celebrations in Papua New Guinea

As 3 May dawned, countries all over the world celebrated World Press Freedom Day with different activities. Papua New Guinea, where the occasion is celebrated under the name of Media Freedom Day, paid tribute to the journalists that lost their lives in the line of duty while simultaneously commemorating the fundamental principles of press freedom. 

Spearheaded by the Media Council of Papua New Guinea with a major sponsorship from AUSAID and other corporate bodies and the PNG National Commission for UNESCO, this week-long event aimed at advocating for effective media freedom in PNG. Furthermore, it purported to address the inadequate support and action for media freedom in PNG by the state, civil society and the media in terms of newsroom decisions and self-censorship. The ultimate goal of achieving effective media freedom in PNG by 2020 is hoped to be achieved through the following objectives: 

-Ensure that the significance of media freedom is understood by the state, civil society and media professionals 
-Promote freedom of expression and freedom of the press as a basic human right, as enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 
-Promote freedom of the media as guaranteed under section 46 of the PNG Constitution, and freedom of information as a right guaranteed under section 51. 
-Promote the liberation of the media from state restrictions, internal restraints by the management of media outlets and inadequate support from civil society for a free and responsible media 
-Promote interaction and interdependence of the media, civil society and the state 

The week-long event comprised the following activities: 
-Media Adverts 
-Opening Media Breakfast 
-Media Expo 
-Music for Media Freedom Festival 
-Media Seminar 
-Movie Marathon 
-Radio Talkback and Interviews 
-School Visits 
-Closing Media Dinner