"The findings from this stuy indicate that the Papua New Guinea (PNG) press is not helping to highlight and address the issue of family violence, which is a social hindrance to development in PNG. This is supported by arguments of lack of prominence given to family violence stories, unreliable sourc
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ing, negative representation of women as victims, especially of rape, and lack of investigative journalims which is essential to address family violence and its root causes." (Conclusions, page 81)
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"The findings of this research have indicated that Radio Madang [the public service broadcaster in Madang province] is an appropriate medium for disseminating information and messages on development issues to people in rural areas of Madang province. With an audience of about 200,000 throughout the
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province, Radio Madang has the potential to help shape the future of this province throught the different development programmes it produces. However, in recent years, the government has not been fully utilizing this medium due to various reasons listed below." (Conclusions & recommendations, page 155)
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"A 'typical' Papua New Guinean journalist is more likely to be female (very marginally), single, under the age of 29, with about five years experience, a Tok Pisin [indigenous language] speaker but working on English-language media and to have a university diploma or degree in journalism from either
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the University of Papua New Guinea or Divine World University [...] The Papua New Guinea journalist probably entered the media to communicate knowledge to the community, expose abuses of power and corruption, and varied and exciting work (order of preference). He or she may be unsatisfied or uncertain with his or her career, but expects to stay in journalism in five years' time. The journalist may go into public relations, but is less likely to do so than in Fiji. He or she probably believes the professional role is to be the watchdog of democracy, an educator and defender of the truth (order of preference)." (Concluding comments, page 215)
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"This research looks at the distribution of balanced and accurate information about one of China's biggest investments in the South Pacific region, the Ramu Nickel Project. Are the local people in the project impact areas of Kurumbukare and Basamuk well informed and do they have a voice that is fair
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ly represented in the media? How does the overall project appear to be represented by the media and received by the people? [...] In this chapter, I focus on the role of the media in this project, including the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), particularly the local NBC radio Madang, FM 100 of Kalang Advertising and the two national newspapers Post Courier and The National. Because of the isolation of the area, the research looked at how the reporters source their information, whether it is first hand or second hand, and the challenges that they face in obtaining information." (Page 125)
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"Tok Pisin [one of the three national languages] has played a significant role as an agent of change and development in Papua New Guinea. It bridged the gap between the rural and the urban communities and brought confidence to people who are now able to communicate with others as well as among thems
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elves [...] Because of the low literacy levels, most can only read basic English and find it difficult reading newspapers in English. 'Wantok' has played an equally important part since it was first published in 1970 in bringing information to the nation, especially the grassroots. It is probably the only media capable of maintaining a written standard against which Tok Pisin can be judged and the only means of reaching many rural people." (Conclusion, page 60)
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"This book brings together significant scholarly contributions on communication issues by researchers working across the region. It aims to create better understanding of what affects the communication and information flow in smaller nations and how these impact on national development, governance a
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nd the creation of more cohesive societies. The value of such a book lies in the comparison it enables between different regions and countries at different levels of development. The work of the contributing authors provides glimpses of the prevalent issues and perspectives without necessarily providing a definitive picture of this diverse region. The editors hope this book will draw out significant relational possibilities by bringing together scholarly writing on communication issues and highlighting the perspectives of Pacific scholars and media practitioners, thus contributing to the knowledge base in Pacific Media Studies." (Publisher description)
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"This paper discusses how journalism education can best address the information needs of a developing nation in Asia Pacific. It takes as a case study the review of the Communication Arts Department Curriculum at Divine Word University and looks at its different components (media literacy, general e
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ducation, academic and practical courses) and how they meet Papua New Guinea's needs for information. It examines the way in which the curriculum has developed since the Department began offering courses in 1979, discussing both the practical and ideological influences that have shaped its construction. The current curriculum based on a western vocational journalism model trains students to work in the mainstream media. The paper will argue that focusing on meeting the needs of the mainstream media in PNG has prevented the Department from looking at the wider information needs of the people and civil society organizations. This calls for a stronger communication & development component, which can prepare graduates to address the communication needs of a developing country and contribute to the development of a civil society. By expanding the curriculum beyond the craft elements of journalism the university will, hopefully, help the students to achieve their professional and intellectual potential as well, so that they might become appropriate leaders and active contributors to development in PNG." (Abstract)
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