Council AGM endorses updated Code as Industry Standard

THE Media Council of Papua New Guinea now has an updated Code of Ethics and Professional Practice against which the performance of its media members' can be measured.

In its 2024 Annual General Meeting on Saturday, November 2nd, the Management Council of the MCPNG endorsed the Code, which will now be socialized throughout the country's mainstream media newsrooms.

Media Council President, Neville Choi, said for too long, there have been very public conversations referring to what many perceive to be a drop in the standard of journalism, without actually defining what their arguments are based on.

He said this Code now provides a standard to which all practitioners of media should be performing. It is a guide which also arms Editors and News managements with a performance standard to expect of all media workers in the business of producing and disseminating news and information.

"This updated Code clearly defines the role of journalists and all media workers, how they should carry themselves in the course of their duties, and the values they should be subscribing to as the guardians of important news and information for our people.

"It clearly defines the obligations of media owners and managements to the safety and well-being of their workers, their working environment, and professional growth and development.

"Most importantly, the Code can be used and referred to by the public to judge and appreciate the way media workers represent the organizations they work for, and the integrity and foundations of the profession of journalism."

Mr. Choi said the Code, which has been updated to be fit-for-purpose in today's media landscape, also covers how the media deals with issues around the use of Artificial Intelligence and AI-generated content.

He said now that the Code has been endorsed, it provides the foundation for the setting up of the Media Council of PNG's Independent Complaints Tribunal which is the Council and industry's complaints management mechanism.

The Code and the Tribunal, form two of the PNG media industry's strongest arguments for media self-regulation.

Mr. Choi said the Code also features in the National Media Development Policy as part of Industry's standard and guidelines for its performance, and addresses the media policy's emphasis on industry self-regulation.

He said the Media Council will continue its rebuilding program which began in 2022 with the review and updating of its Constitution. The review and updating of the Council's Code of Ethics and Professional Practice will now be followed by the formal establishment of the Council's Independent Complaints Tribunal.

"If the media is serious about developing for the better, it needs a set of standards to operate by. We now have a standard for media industry, media education, and for all who practice in the media space, regardless of whether they are members of the Media Council of PNG or not. If you provide information and news for public consumption, do it correctly. Be guided by the MCPNG Code of Ethics and Professional Practice." 

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