Timothy Masiu, Papua New Guinea’s Minister for Communication and Information Technology, addressed the 19th Asia Media Summit in Kuala Lumpur, highlighting a significant development in the ICT landscape of the Pacific. On August 30, during the 53rd Pacific Island Forum (PIF) Leaders’ Summit in Tonga, leaders agreed to integrate ICT into the PIF’s organizational structure. This initiative, spearheaded by Papua New Guinea, is seen as a timely intervention at a high political level.
Masiu emphasized that this new framework will allow ICT leaders in the region to collaborate on vital issues outlined in the “Lakatoi Declaration,” which covers cyber security, digital skills, regional data exchanges, cybercrime, disaster management, and the establishment of digital governments. It also creates a formal platform for Pacific ICT ministers to address common challenges and seek support from regional and international partners.
He remarked on the pressing need to revitalize news media to safeguard democracy and freedom of speech, noting the significant role ICT can play in this process. Masiu acknowledged the crisis facing Pacific media, paralleling concerns raised at the recent Pacific International Media Conference in Fiji, where delegates agreed that the media landscape is undergoing an unprecedented crisis.
Despite the small and vulnerable nature of the Pacific media sector, Masiu noted its capacity to adapt to challenges until recent digital disruptions and the COVID-19 pandemic severely affected advertising revenues. While similar issues plague media worldwide, the unique challenges of the Pacific, characterized by its remoteness and limited investments, exacerbate the situation.
Pacific media experts, including Shailendra Singh from the University of the South Pacific, are advocating for increased government support for private media, arguing that journalism serves the public good and should be funded accordingly. However, Masiu acknowledged that while governments, including his own, already provide public broadcasting services, they face competing budgetary priorities.
Despite these challenges, Masiu expressed gratitude for the assistance from friends like Australia, the United States, and Europe, as well as China’s involvement in supporting the Pacific media sector. He lamented the lack of representation from neighboring Asian countries in Pacific media, viewing this as a missed opportunity for collaboration.
He urged participants at the summit to recognize shared cultural, political, and historical ties between Asia and the Pacific, and to consider fostering closer connections with Asian media. Emphasizing the importance of a holistic approach for revitalizing the Pacific media sector, Masiu called for collaboration not only within the media industry but also in media education and research.
He advocated for regular exchanges between universities in the Pacific and Asia to bridge the significant gap in research and development within the Pacific media context. Masiu highlighted the urgent need for research on issues such as climate change, which he described as the region’s greatest security threat, yet lacks sufficient coverage from a media perspective.
In conclusion, Masiu reaffirmed the value of partnerships with international counterparts while advocating for equal collaboration. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that assistance aligns with Pacific perspectives and needs, without attempting to impose external narratives on the media sector. He stated that the summit is a vital opportunity for the Pacific to learn about financial models, funding, and innovative practices from Asian media organizations. The collective responsibility for a resilient Pacific media landscape rests on media professionals, government authorities, the public, and international development partners.