GOVERNANCE AND THE ROLE OF MEDIA IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA AUDIENCE RESEARCH BRIEF 2014

Transcription

1 GOVERNANCE AND THE ROLE OF MEDIA IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA AUDIENCE RESEARCH BRIEF 2014

2 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS CONTENTS This audience research brief is based on findings from the Governance Study in Papua New Guinea ( ). The research was commissioned by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation s International Development (ABC ID) department and the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) of Papua New Guinea (PNG) under the Media for Development Initiative (MDI). The research was conducted by ButunaSmith Research Consultancy. A sincere thank you to ButunaSmith Research Consultancy who completed the study: Eleina Butuna, Goru Hane-Nou and Anne Dickson-Waiko. Thank you to Blaise Murphet for his work producing this audience brief and Akina Mikami for her valuable inputs. The report has also benefited from contributions from the MDI team and ABC International Development. The views represented here are those of the author and research participants and do not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, National Broadcasting Corporation or the Australian Government. This report was prepared thanks to funding from Australian Aid. Photo credits: Australian Broadcasting Corporation, National Broadcasting Corporation and ButunaSmith Research Consultancy. Papua New Guinea (orthographic projection) by Zuanzuanfuwa - Own work. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike via Wikimedia Commons - File:Papua_New_Guinea_(orthographic_projection).svg#mediaviewer/File:Papua_New_ Guinea_(orthographic_projection).svg For more information on the report, methodology, limitations and photo credits please contact: international.development@abc.net.au Acknowledgements 02 Executive Summary 04 Introduction 06 Methodology 09 Key Findings 10 Service Delivery 10 Law and Order 11 Leadership 12 Further Findings 16 Cross Cutting Issues 16 Transparency and Accountability 16 National Broadcasting Corporation 18 Opportunities 18 Challenges 20 References 22 Appendices 23

3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Understanding the role NBC can play in disseminating information is crucial for it to realise its potential for improving the everyday lives of PNGs citizens. Given its reach and capability to engage listeners from across the country, NBC has great potential to provide a key link between citizens and their elected representatives at all levels of government. This report aims to identify the possibilities of this link and the issues that people feel are most important in promoting good governance and development in PNG. The research project was conducted in seven PNG provinces, including Milne Bay, Eastern Highlands, Western Highlands, Madang, East Sepik, East New Britain and New Ireland, with pilot groups conducted in Central province. The provinces were selected based on the proposed location of NBC Yumi Go Wer? radio panel shows to determine relevant program topics. Eighty-three focus groups were conducted across these provinces, according to three age groups: 18-24, and 35 years and above. Findings were analysed by age, gender, location (province) and whether the respondent was based in an urban or rural area. The study was designed by the Media for Development Initiative (MDI) in consultation with Australian Broadcasting Corporation International Development (ABC ID) and funded by Australian Aid. KEY GOVERNANCE ISSUES Three key governance issues emerged across the seven target provinces. These issues require immediate action by government and would benefit greatly from increased support from NBC to improve governance in PNG. Service Delivery There are significant gaps in service delivery that need to be immediately addressed. A lack of educational infrastructure, such as schools and teachers, and improved healthcare facilities are issues that arise across the country. Law and Order A majority of respondents hold a general distrust of police and the courts and demand immediate action to address corruption, police brutality and the slow legal response of courts. Violence (including domestic violence) and drug use are also considered rampant in many communities. Leadership A lack of knowledge on how government is run is exacerbated by very little citizen access to their political leaders. This also leads to fears regarding nepotism and the misappropriation of funds. government, police, the church and NGOs together to provide clear information regarding service delivery, law and order and development. KEY CHALLENGES FOR NBC Whilst NBC is uniquely placed to play a pivotal role in meeting the information needs of citizens, there are crucial areas that need immediate improvement so it can perform this critical role. Improve network coverage, particularly in rural areas. Incorporate diverse local languages into provincial programming, particularly to engage older listeners. There is a need for NBC to reiterate to its audience that it is independent from government restrictions and intervention. KEY OPPORTUNITIES FOR NBC NBC is generally seen as an essential service necessary to engage citizens in important issues that directly affect their way of life. The findings suggest that there are key opportunities for NBC to play an active role in promoting good governance in PNG. NBC is ideally placed to institute radio panel shows to bring together various governance stakeholders to increase knowledge and access for citizens. Shows that incorporate talkback and citizen engagement should be focused on key themes such as education, health and law and order1. With its combined national and provincial focus, NBC should provide citizens with access to all levels of government representatives through dynamic programming that informs people of policy development and implementation. NBC needs to take a leadership role in addressing domestic violence against women in urban and rural areas. Shows that include representatives of law and order should address specific concerns and provide education on this issue. Targeted programming that engages different demographics and locations is critical. There are significant issues that affect particular groups, who would benefit from programming that directly addresses their needs. NBC should play a collaborative role in bringing 4 5

4 INTRODUCTION: UNDERSTANDING CITIZENS VIEWS ON GOOD GOVERNANCE AND THE ROLE OF MEDIA IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA The United Nations defines good governance as promoting equity, participation, pluralism, transparency, accountability and the rule of law, in a manner that is effective, efficient and enduring. They describe the primary challenges for good governance as coming from corruption, violence and poverty, all of which undermine transparency, security, participation and fundamental freedoms 2. The purpose of this report is to identify how the citizens of PNG see governance in their country and what role the NBC can play in moving the country closer toward good governance ideals. The key governance issues highlighted in this report arise primarily from problems of leadership and a lack of understanding of how all levels of government community, provincial and national are working toward the development of the country. It is clear that in PNG, service delivery is a major concern, primarily in rural areas, where people have little access to education and health services. Law and order is another concern reported by participants. There is an evident lack of trust in the police and the courts, which results in frequent incidents of localised crime and distrust in the ability of the officials to adequately respond. Domestic violence and teen pregnancy are seen to be affecting women on a large scale, and youth are without adequate employment and educational opportunities, which is leading to disaffection and malaise. Citizens want these issues to be addressed. They acknowledge that greater understanding of issues, improved access to government officials and having an avenue through which to hold them to account would greatly improve the situation. The role of media in promoting development and good governance is increasingly identified as crucial throughout the world. UNHCR explain that utilising media in development involves engaging communities and listening to adults and children as they identify problems, propose solutions and act upon them 3. When harnessed correctly, the media can both disseminate crucial information relating to governance, and also engage people in debate that can lead to tangible action. It can empower citizens to have an active voice in matters that directly affect their lives and promote transparency and accountability in leadership. The uptake of new technology has increased access to information and is changing the way people consume media content in PNG 4. The past decade alone has seen considerable growth in internet access and mobile connectivity, lending significant potential to increased social and political participation for PNG citizens regardless of geographical proximity 5. For instance, mobile penetration increased from two per cent in 2006 to 34 per cent in 2011 and has continued to grow 6. Internet growth has also been substantial, with an increase in users (per 100 people) of 86 per cent between 2012 and There were also more than 100,000 registered Facebook users as of July 2012 and a notable increase in PNG related websites 8. Despite these changes, radio continues to be one of the most readily accessible communication modes, emerging as the main channel for reaching the mass audiences across the country in real-time 9. Increasingly, users are accessing radio services via their mobiles, broadening opportunities for participatory media and communication based on two-way dialogues in addition to the more traditional unilateral or one-way processes 10. In this context, NBC is ideally placed to play a crucial role in promoting good governance across PNG. Its dual broadcasting focus between national and provincial stations means that it has the potential to reach even the most remote areas, whilst also maintaining a national outlook. This breadth also provides the opportunity to act as a bridge between urban and rural areas and to promote greater information sharing between national and local governments. At the national level, there are opportunities to close the gap between the Prime Minister, the national government and the people. Many citizens feel out of touch with the national government and do not understand the policy development and implementation process. Informative programming based on service delivery, budget allocation and leadership are greatly needed and would provide an essential service in the community as well as a channel through which citizens can voice their concerns directly to the national government. At the provincial level, there are opportunities for NBC to institute a range of programs that deal with significant issues specific to different geographic locations. Shows constructively debating questions of law and order and local governance would improve understanding and give people a voice in their communities. Similarly, targeted programs on specific service delivery issues in selected provinces would address immediate concerns and could initiate a government-citizen partnership for improving localised development. If NBC can overcome network problems and broadcast in local languages, there is a great desire amongst people in rural and urban areas to engage in lively debates with leaders to work together for better governance and development. This report identifies key governance issues raised in seven provinces throughout PNG, with a targeted evaluation of how these issues affect different age groups, gender, and people in urban and rural areas. The second section looks at perceptions of NBC and the challenges and opportunities it faces in performing a key role in good governance in PNG. The context of this investigation is the implementation of the Yumi Go Wer? program, which is broadcast in provinces throughout PNG and has the specific focus of engaging citizens in thoughtful debate on relevant matters of governance. 6 7

5 YUMI GO WER? METHODOLOGY Yumi Go Wer? is an NBC multi-platform (radio, TV, social media) program that promotes informed public discussions about governance. The program includes weekly governance reporting, a TV show and live radio panel shows in PNG provinces. Yumi Go Wer? is implemented by NBC with support from MDI (Australian Aid supported activity). The live radio panel show is recorded in front of a local audience and addresses topical governance issues occurring throughout PNG. The show rotates between provinces and provides the opportunity for listeners to call, text and post questions and comments to the panel guests. To date, the panel show has aired in Milne Bay, Eastern Highlands, Western Highlands, Madang, East Sepik, East New Britain and New Ireland. Topics focused on education, health, service delivery, law and order, autonomy, and women and children. A primary interest for respondents is the opportunity to engage in debate with national and provincial leaders. Many respondents suggested that talkback was an ideal way of directly addressing concerns with government representatives. For this program I felt refreshed because it is just like a parliament session brought to the people, and this time the people will represent themselves to really talk about pressing issues within the society. Holding leaders to account on budget allocation was highlighted as a critical initiative to improve governance, particularly in rural areas, which are often ignored. Shows that focus on education and health are popular and the opportunity to include police representatives is widely supported so that law and order concerns can also be addressed. In terms of format, respondents are happy with the panel structure, but would like to incorporate more talkback, and to allow for leaders to prepare answers in advance so that they can provide informed responses. The use of drama was also suggested to enliven the program and introduce important issues in a different way. Language is the major concern for participants who believe that broadcasting in local languages would improve engagement, particularly for older rural citizens. The data collection method for this research was focus group discussions. Key informants from the selected provinces were chosen to participate in the groups using convenience sampling. A total of 83 focus group discussions were conducted in seven PNG provinces including Milne Bay, Eastern Highlands, Western Highlands, Madang, East Sepik, East New Britain and New Ireland. The provinces were selected based on the proposed location of NBC Yumi Go Wer? radio panel show to determine relevant program topics. Within each province, focus groups were conducted in urban and rural locations. The data was collected through three targeted age groups, 18-24, and 35+. Men and women were separated in the study due to the sensitive na ture of the discussions. PAPUA NEW GUINEA East Sepik Madang Western Highlands Eastern Highlands Central East New Britain New Ireland Milne Bay Male, 35+, Madang 8 9

6 KEY FINDINGS THE INFORMATION PRIORITIES OF GOOD GOVERNANCE Across the seven targeted provinces, three key governance issues emerged as immediate priorities to improve the standard of living in PNG service delivery, law and order and leadership. These were identified as primary areas that needed significant improvement that would benefit from greater support and information from government and development partners. Other issues that were raised included disability rights and youth issues, with many respondents concerned about the plight of young people in the country. A further theme raised that directly informs the purpose of this report was transparency and accountability of the three levels of government in PNG. This crosscutting theme serves as a link between the key governance issues raised by respondents, and the opportunities available for NBC to improve the effectiveness of governance in the country. SERVICE DELIVERY Although there have been recent advances in service delivery, such as the free education policy11, there are still significant gaps that need to be addressed. Education infrastructure, the supply and quality of teachers and improved healthcare facilities were all highlighted as issues that need further development, which would benefit from greater information sharing amongst citizens. The quality of roads was also singled out as a major area needing improvement. Respondents indicated that whilst government made contracts to build new roads, these were often done with providers that have a track record of mismanagement. A positive issue raised in relation to service delivery was the role played by the church, which is viewed positively among almost all participants in relation to its provision of services. Interestingly, young (18-24) female respondents in East Sepik discussed the inability of the church to contribute to positive change on a community level and that the churches only role was to influence individual behaviour. However, partnership between the church and the government is seen as vital to ensure that service delivery reaches all people in the community. Further, school and health services provided by churches give critical relief to those who are not covered by government programs. Urban and rural respondents in Milne Bay and East New Britain have also received service delivery through NGOs, foreign aid services and, in the case of East New Britain, an active business community that has provided support to local sports. 10 LOCATION Respondents from all areas were generally positive regarding the national government s free education policy. However, there is a significant gap in the implementation of the policy between urban and rural areas. In urban areas, while there are some services lacking, respondents are generally satisfied, indicating that the policy was a fantastic opportunity for traditionally under-serviced communities to gain access to education. However, respondents from rural areas explained that a lack of schools, teaching staff and support services was undermining their access to education. In East Sepik and Madang, rural respondents indicated that there were not a sufficient number of schools for children, and that the lack of technical and vocational schools directly affected the future prospects of youth in the province. Responses on healthcare service delivery were also mixed. In some urban areas, such as Milne Bay and Western Highlands, there are newly built aid posts and health services that are generally seen as sufficient. However, rural areas are again lacking, with respondents in East New Britain, Madang and East Sepik indicating a severe shortage of medical facilities, closed hospitals, and vast distances between active health centres. The issue of poor roads was particularly prevalent in responses from Milne Bay, with indications that roads were poorly maintained and that the lack of good roads had a major detrimental effect on daily life. A prevalent issue, raised by urban respondents in New Ireland and Eastern Highlands, concerns the misappropriation of funds by government, leading to poor service delivery. There is a lack of trust in the use of funds, particularly by the provincial governments. GENDER Responses on service delivery were largely similar between male and female respondents. One specific issue that was raised by female respondents in Eastern Highlands was the link between a lack of education and domestic violence. Respondents indicated that domestic violence was a serious issue in their community but believed that by gaining education, women can free themselves from abusive relationships and be financially independent. AGE Service delivery was raised as a critical issue amongst all age groups, however, services were seen in a more positive light by those years of age. There is a clear indication that the youth are more satisfied with services than older respondents, or have different needs in relation to services. In Western Highlands, rural youth respondents indicated that they were satisfied with services at the provincial level, including health facilities that recently awarded pay increases for doctors and nurses. However, older respondents (35+) described a lack of road infrastructure and health services were adversely affecting everyday life. LAW AND ORDER Police corruption and brutality and slow judicial proceedings are resulting in a general distrust of the law and order mechanisms. Issues relating to law and order received the highest number of negative comments throughout the seven provinces. Improvement in the performance of the police and courts and a reduction in localised crime is a primary concern for citizens. A further concern amongst respondents was the lack of funding made available to the police, which they suggest often leads to bribery and corruption and an inability of police to adequately perform their role. Respondents indicated that they often went to police stations to report a crime, but that the one available car was already gone, so the police could do nothing. We don t have a school. We don t have a health centre. It has been 25 years now that I have not accessed basic education and health services. We have a real problem with health. The immunisation team last visited us two years ago so our children that were born since then are not immunised. Male, 35+, Rural, East Sepik LOCATION Whilst concerns regarding law and order were raised in a significant amount of responses from urban areas, the majority arose from rural respondents. Police corruption was a major concern with people indicating that they 11

7 had often witnessed instances of bribery. The issue of corruption was particularly prevalent in responses from Eastern Highlands and East Sepik. In East Sepik, one respondent described bribery of police that allowed offenders to evade punishment, and reported that police were at times involved in criminal gangs for mutual gain. In Eastern Highlands a respondent suggested that people could pay their way out of jail for the right price. Respondents from the majority of the provinces indicated that police brutality is a serious issue affecting their communities. Police assaulting innocent people, incidents of shooting, and violence while in custody were identified across the spectrum of research participants. Instances of police brutality were particularly prevalent in Milne Bay, with one participant describing late night raids by police officers that involved the stealing of food goods, as well as violent attacks against citizens. In East New Britain, respondents were outraged at the continuous abuse of police power and brutality, particularly directed towards youth in rural villages. Urban respondents were particularly concerned about the issue of prolonged judicial proceedings, which acts as a major deterrent for people in initiating criminal cases. In East Sepik, one respondent explained that some communities had resorted to local vigilante justice in place of a dysfunctional court system. Urban respondents in East New Britain, New Ireland and Milne Bay called for greater information sharing, from government and judiciary, regarding the functioning of the courts, particularly to stop nepotism and corruption. In Madang and Milne Bay, citizens raised the issue of increased urban migration, and its effect on the breakdown of law and order. They indicated that the strain on local employment created by increased migration has led to youth unemployment and crime issues resulting from high alcoholism and the use of illicit drugs. In Madang, youth unemployment is already high, and there is a fear that the increasing international migration of outsiders would put stress on the community and lead to increased law and order The courts are one of the major setbacks in resolving social issues. For some reason they just seem to go on and on. So this has a negative impact in the minds of people and it is really counter-productive to development. problems. The increased urban migration in Milne Bay was predominantly due to new business in the area. An urban female respondent indicated that she did not feel safe in her community since the influx of new residents. Concern over the un-realised potential of village courts was a common theme among rural respondents, who indicated that they saw the possibility of dealing with localised disputes within their communities, but that village courts do not hold sufficient power or authority. In Milne Bay, respondents explained that the village courts do not generally escalate issues to higher levels, instead referring issues back to families. In East Sepik, an older female respondent (25+) stated that young men in particular have little respect for the village courts and these courts have therefore not led to better security in the community. GENDER Concerns regarding law and order were prevalent among both male and female respondents. One specific issue pertaining to women is the issue of domestic violence and rape in some communities. In East Sepik, rural females often feel unsafe in their communities. They blame the problem of domestic violence on the lack of power of village courts and an ineffective Local Level Government (LLG) who have little oversight over the police and courts. Similarly, in Eastern and Western Highlands, ineffective law and order mechanisms are considered to be at fault for a lack of action on numerous accounts of rape, domestic violence, and prostitution. These are often blamed on groups of young men, who partake in illicit drug use and high consumption of alcohol. Interestingly, from the overall sample, only a select few male participants discussed domestic violence as an issue, with most focused on police brutality, corruption and ineffective courts. leaders and feel they are rarely present in the community, spending most of their time in Port Moresby and only coming to their provinces during election time. LOCATION Leadership was indicated as an issue of concern across urban and rural areas, although the positive feedback on leaders performance generally came from urban locations. The Prime Minister (PM) received positive feedback from many respondents across different provinces. His leadership is considered to be a fresh start, and the free education policy, in particular, has been extremely popular. Two concerns raised in relation to the PM are a lack of engagement with the citizens on matters of policy and a lack of adequate channels to inform citizens about the role of the national government. Respondents in Milne Bay spoke of a lack of engagement with citizens on the formulation of policy. The example provided was the recent capital punishment law, which was introduced without sufficient public debate. They misuse their position and name as a police force. They use violence and brutality. They do their jobs but this problem spoils their reputation. Female, 18-24, Urban, Eastern Highlands AGE Older respondents (25+) were generally more negative in their attitude toward law and order. This was particularly the case in regards to complaints about the functioning of the courts, including the pace of proceedings and judicial neutrality. Older respondents also equated issues regarding crime, illicit drug use and alcoholism with youth, with many respondents indicating that they had witnessed groups of youth in their communities who were often committing crimes. In Eastern Highlands many older female participants (35+) were concerned with young local boys harassing women, and reported that there were instances of rape and domestic violence, which were often connected to alcohol and drug use. LEADERSHIP Female, 35+, Urban, Milne Bay 12 Whilst Prime Minister Peter O Neil is generally held in high regard, dissatisfaction with a lack of services, access to government officials and some cases of nepotism are the primary leadership concerns for respondents. The primary issue raised is the lack of access for citizens to their leaders. Citizens are despondent about their 13

8 The second area of concern regarding the PM and the National Government is the lack of information available to citizens regarding the specific work being done at the national level. Respondents in Eastern Highlands suggested that they were not aware of the executive decision making process and what laws were being brought in. The misappropriation of funds is also affecting people in communities. Respondents in East Sepik and East New Britain are concerned with the implementation of nationally funded projects by the provincial and local level governments. However, Milne Bay citizens are satisfied with the work of their local members of parliament (MP) and LLG in the delivery of services and allocation of funding to appropriate programs. Rural respondents in particular feel that leaders from all levels of government are not active in their communities, and that there is no way to provide feedback on any potential concerns. Respondents suggested that if leaders ever visited, it was during election time, and that they spend all other time in Port Moresby. The clear exceptions are Milne Bay and Madang, where the local MPs are held in high regard and considered responsive, transparent and accountable to the community. A number of provinces equate bad leadership in their area with a lack of development. The delivery of services is a problem particularly relevant in rural areas, and respondents feel that a lack of direction and oversight from local leaders has led to major deficiencies in the provision of healthcare, education and infrastructure. GENDER Leadership is of far greater concern to male respondents. Although females are generally critical of service delivery, they do not equate this with bad leadership as much as male participants. Men generally feel that there is some good direction coming from the national government, but that local and provincial governments are not performing well. In East Sepik, one female respondent did mention that local politicians did not respect the opinion of women when it came to governance issues. She felt that although there were specific funds and policies at the national level to improve gender issues, that this was not being properly implemented at the local level. AGE Older respondents (35+) were far more likely to make mention of leadership, particularly focusing on absent government officials and lack of services. They were more aware of major governance issues at the national level, and were concerned with the misappropriation of funds in the implementation of national policies. In Milne Bay, one respondent suggested that while there were sufficient funds allocated in the region, the community had no knowledge of any plan for service delivery. He stressed that by making a development plan public, citizens would feel a sense of ownership and make sure it is implemented. Younger respondents, in Milne Bay in particular, had little to say regarding national issues, and were uninformed of national government services due to a lack of engagement with national media. Only during election time our member comes to the village to talk to us to vote for him and once he wins, he doesn t bother coming back to our village. Our counsellor also doesn t come to our village because he stays far from our village. He doesn t come often, same as the president. Sometimes they put out dates for them to come but they don t turn up so the people wait and then go back to their homes. Female, 35+, Rural, East New Britain In my district a member does not listen to a woman speaking. No. All he says is what are you women doing, you doing nothing and all you want is money; go and do something first, create something first then I will help you. That s what most men think. They think there is nothing in the parliament for women. But nowadays we women know that we have our share of funds in the government. We want this share to help us build and educate more women in the village. Female, 35+, Urban, East Sepik 14 15

9 FURTHER FINDINGS CROSS CUTTING ISSUES YOUTH The lack of employment and educational opportunities for youth was identified as the primary reason for high levels of crime, alcohol and drug abuse, domestic violence, and teen pregnancy. Younger citizens (18-24) are seriously concerned by the lack of education and employment opportunities, whilst older respondents believe that this lack of opportunity is resulting in high levels of youth crime. Youth issues were predominantly mentioned by female respondents in urban areas. However, respondents from both urban and rural settings discussed witnessing youth problems, including using illicit drugs, such as marijuana, drinking homebrew (locally brewed alcohol), and committing crimes such as stealing and abuse. The main cause of this is considered the lack of education and employment opportunities afforded to the younger PNG population. In Milne Bay, respondents suggested that when there were not sufficient places for children in schools, they were forced to look for ways to make money, which often led to criminal activities. A common theme among female respondents was the high level of domestic violence and teen pregnancy in their community. Respondents indicated that there is a direct link between lack of education and employment and teen pregnancy. This was seen as contributing to family separation and domestic violence. Female respondents in Eastern Highlands and East New Britain stated that domestic violence was clearly evident in their communities. Older citizens (25+) believe that the majority of PNGs law and order problems arise from disillusioned youth. They primarily place the blame for this situation on continued neglect by the provincial government, believing that more education and employment opportunities, as well as a stronger commitment to family values, will result in youth who are engaged in their community in a positive manner. Similarly, youth respondents (18-24) strongly expressed the need for better opportunities and that without these, they face a bleak future. There are far too many handouts from the current government, but this money is not properly appropriated. Male, 35+, Rural, East New Britain Nobody seems to be addressing [youth issues and] engaging them in something useful. Only when something bad happens, do they stop and address youth unemployment. The unemployment of youths is one main cause for ill-behaviour in society. Male, 25-34, Urban, East Sepik DISABILITY Despite PNG having a strong personal history of caring for people with disability, and the recent ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Disabled Persons, the country has a significant lack of disability support services in both urban and rural communities. Access to government services such as education, health and public transport are the main critical issues facing people with a disability in the provinces. Respondents indicated that funds for infrastructure were not forthcoming, despite recent advocacy by the Papua New Guinea Association for Disabled Persons. Whilst respondents acknowledge that PNG has recently ratified the Convention on the Rights of Disabled Persons, there are yet to be clear policy outcomes that positively impact people with disability throughout the country. Currently, there is no specific government department for people with disability, and the respondents indicate that this often leads to a gap in service delivery. As the entire burden of care falls on families, people with disability are often unable to be provided for adequately, due to financial strain. Women with disability experience particular stigmatisation and high rates of sexual violence. The respondents indicate that there is insufficient funding for the provision of mobility aids, hearing aids, and glasses for the visually impaired. TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY The findings on the primary governance issues suggest that citizens are very concerned with leadership, and its affect on the delivery of services and law and order. People feel that there are certain government officials who are attempting to improve the situation, with the PM viewed particularly positively, but that all levels of government are not working in unison. Citizens feel out of touch with their national government, and are often confused about provincial government development plans, and what role LLG should play in affecting positive development. There was a strong desire from respondents for greater access to information about available services and interaction with local government representatives. Many respondents indicated that more transparent and accountable governance would vastly improve development and reduce the misappropriation of funds and other forms of corruption. Respondents from both urban and rural areas indicated that they are unaware of national government policy, other than selected marquee policies such as the free education policy. Many respondents were unwilling to even answer questions regarding the national government as they felt that it operates at a level beyond their immediate experience. Even though we ve advocated to the governor himself and said you know the Convention has been ratified, the government should do something, there s nothing going on about it. So everything at the moment is coming from the grassroots level up. It is not coming from top down. Male, 35+, Urban, Madang Not many go to high school. Most of them left at grade 8 and maybe only four or five of them completed grade 10. Very few find jobs. Female, 25-34, Rural, Madang In East Sepik and East New Britain, respondents indicated that they were satisfied with the money allocated to services in their areas, but that there was little understanding of how that money was to be used or the level of oversight the national government has over provincial governments. In East New Britain, urban respondents suggested that there was a lack of interaction between MPs and the community. The channels of communication between citizens and their representatives were nonexistent, resulting in people having little idea of how the government is operating. Nepotism and the misappropriation of funds were raised as critical issues directly affecting the provision of services in urban and rural areas. In Eastern Highlands, one respondent indicated that citizens were given jobs simply because they were from the PMs homeland. Another respondent in Milne Bay also suggested that more information regarding government contracts would address nepotism. In East Sepik, the LLG is singled out as not utilising national government funding properly, and there were concerns that nepotism is influencing employment opportunities. Similarly, in East New Britain, rural respondents suggested that money was not properly appropriated or accounted for, and that this was leading to the favouring of certain groups in society

10 HOW IS THE NATIONAL BROADCASTING CORPORATION CONTRIBUTING TO THE INFORMATION NEEDS OF GOOD GOVERNANCE The National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) was established and funded by the Parliament of PNG, under the provisions of the Broadcasting Corporation Act NBC states that its mission is to provide balanced, objective and impartial broadcasting services within PNG and, in the interests of the community, to take all such measures to develop suitable broadcasting programs. Whilst NBC is generally held in high regard for its role in disseminating information throughout the country, it suffers from major challenges that restrict both overall listenership, and its ability to contribute to the information needs of good governance. Poor reception in a range of urban and rural settings means that many people are not able to listen to the local NBC stations, which is particularly worrying for rural citizens who may not have access to other forms of media. The lack of broadcasting in local languages is also a barrier for people attempting to reach NBC services, with older citizens in particular affected due to a lack of understanding English and Tok Pisin. Government interference in broadcasting is another concern, with some people feeling that NBC is unable to present independent programming due to its funding source coming from government. Despite these challenges, NBC has great potential to fulfil its role in providing information about good governance and other national issues. Issue-focused programming is particularly popular, with many people wanting to hear shows on education, health and employment opportunities. Similarly, talkback is a popular form of programming, and is viewed as an opportunity for effective citizen engagement in governance. People also feel that youth-focused programming has great potential in contributing to development. We think Radio East New Britain is good. They talk about education and health. Radio East New Britain gives good information to the people. All the topics such as education, health etc, should be aired. Male, 18-24, Rural, East New Britain OPPORTUNITIES ISSUES FOCUSED PROGRAMMING Respondents in all surveyed categories suggested that more, and improved, issues-based programming was important to improve NBCs role in promoting good governance in PNG. One respondent in Milne Bay suggested that regular updates could be given on development issues so that information can be disseminated at the provincial and local level. In Western Highlands, a female respondent indicated that programming on issues such as budget allocation and education would be beneficial to their community. This view was shared by respondents in New Ireland and East New Britain, who also mentioned that informative shows on family issues and religion would be a positive development in NBC programming. Female respondents from Milne Bay and East New Britain suggested that NBC should have more femalespecific programming, which could cover issues such as domestic violence, health and education. This could also be used to improve understanding of women s issues in the community to combat the high levels of genderviolence and teen pregnancy. The talkback show and some of the current affairs programs are good. That s where we get to know what is really happening on the other side of the province. Male, 35+, Urban, Madang 18 19

11 TALKBACK To facilitate greater community engagement in governance issues, respondents in Madang and New Ireland suggested more talkback shows be incorporated into NBC programming. Talkback shows were seen as an ideal way to involve citizens in policy discussions and most importantly to hold MPs to account on the provision of services. YOUTH FOCUS Older respondents indicated that NBC programs should focus on youth issues, which reflects their concerns regarding youth unemployment and crime. There is a general belief that if youth are provided specific shows that focus on employment and education, they will feel more engaged and consequently share and discuss information among their peers. CHALLENGES RECEPTION Respondents in the majority of provinces reported problems of poor signal reception, resulting in an inability to reliably listen to NBC radio. This was particularly the case in rural communities that often have unreliable coverage and few other means of information to rely on. Milne Bay is particularly problematic: the majority of respondents in both rural villages and urban suburbs are hardly able to listen to the local NBC Radio Milne Bay. This is a particular concern for rural citizens who do not have adequate TV, internet or mobile phone coverage and therefore rely on radio and newspapers for information on government services. Respondents in East New Britain also have significant problems with coverage, and expressed frustration that they were unable to access programs on health, education and employment opportunities. Madang, Western Highlands and East Sepik were the exceptions, as respondents from these areas indicated that coverage was excellent and that NBC could be heard throughout. to appoint its own staff. Interestingly, an urban male respondent in New Ireland considered NBC managers to be government appointees, and believed they would fear broadcasting any criticism of the government, as it may result in them losing their jobs. Furthermore, some New Ireland respondents considered NBC New Ireland to be directly influenced by the provincial government and New Ireland governor. Due to a lack of trust in journalistic objectivity and a perceived bias in reporting, many of these respondents have chosen to listen to NBC West New Britain and East New Britain to stay informed. The priority is to get transmission and reception that is clear. If Digicel can do it why can t NBC. Radio, it is the only means for communication in Milne Bay Province. Female, 25-34, Urban, Milne Bay LANGUAGE The issue of broadcasting in local dialects was raised specifically in Western and Eastern Highlands. This particularly impacts older listeners who may not speak English or Tok Pisin and are therefore unable to understand the majority of the broadcasts. GOVERNMENT RESTRICTION Urban respondents in Milne Bay and New Ireland expressed concern over the influence of government on NBC content. The fact that the source of NBC funding is from government concerns some participants, fearing that there may be official influence over any potential negative reporting on the performance of the government. This is despite the PNG Broadcasting Corporation Act 1973 stating it is the duty of the Corporation to provide balanced, objective, and impartial broadcasting services 12, while also having the ability 20 21

12 REFERENCES APPENDICES ANU Lecture Series. (2012). Papua New Guinea: Where to now? Retrieved July 2014, from ANU: au/vision/videos/5091/ Cabañero-Verzosa, C., & Garcia, H. R. (2011). People, Politics, and Change: Building Communication Capacity for Governance Reform. Retrieved July 2014, from The World Bank: TOPICS/EXTDEVCOMMENG/EXTGOVACC/0,,contentMDK: ~pagePK: ~piPK: ~ thesitepk: ,00.html Cave, D. (2012). DIGITAL ISLANDS: HOW THE PACIFIC S ICT REVOLUTION IS TRANSFORMING THE REGION. Retrieved July 2014, from Lowy Institute: Chand, S. (2007). Governance for growth: priorities for a reform-minded Papua New Guinea government, Pacific Economic Bulletin. InterMedia. (2012). Citizen Access to Information in Papua New Guinea. Melbourne. Logan, S. (2012). Rausim! Digital Politics in Papua New Guinea. Retrieved July 2014, from ANU: Manek, C. (2010). Freedom of Information Challenges and the way Forward, Pacific Journalism Review, vol. 16, no. 2. Pacific Institute of Public Policy. (2012). Net Benefits Upgrading the coconut wireless: Internet uptake in the Pacific. Retrieved July 2014, from Pacific Institute of Public Policy: Rooney, M. N. (2012). Can social media transform Papua New Guinea? Reflections and questions. Retrieved July 2014, from DEVPOLICY BLOG: Schoeffel, P., & Turner, M. (2003). State, Society and Governance in Melanesia, Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies. Retrieved from ANU: Singh, S. (2012). Investigative journalism: Challenges, perils, rewards in seven Pacific Island countries, Pacific Journalism Review, vol. 18, no. 1. Teskey, G. (2013). Governance in PNG: what can donors do? Retrieved July 2014, from DEVPOLICY BLOG: The World Bank. (2008). Communication for Governance & Accountability Program. Retrieved July 2014, from The World Bank: ENDNOTES 1. Yumi Go Wer? live radio panel show is an example of this format and is profiled on page eight of this report. 2. The World Bank. (2008). Communication for Governance & Accountability Program. Retrieved July 2014, from The World Bank: 3. UNICEF. (2014, May). Communication for Development. Retrieved July 2014, from UNICEF: 4. InterMedia. (2012). Citizen Access to Information in Papua New Guinea. Melbourne. 5. Logan, S. (2012). Rausim! Digital Politics in Papua New Guinea. Retrieved July 2014, from ANU: 6. Cave, D. (2012). DIGITAL ISLANDS: HOW THE PACIFIC S ICT REVOLUTION IS TRANSFORMING THE REGION. Retrieved July 2014, from Lowy Institute: 7. Watson, A. (2011). Early Experience of Mobile Telephony: A comparison of Two Villages in PNG. Media Asia. Cave, loc.cit. 8. The World Bank. (2014). Internet users (per 100 people). Retrieved July 29, 2014, from The World Bank: 9. Rooney, M. N. (2012). Can social media transform Papua New Guinea? Reflections and questions. Retrieved July 2014, from DEVPOLICY BLOG: loc.cit. 10. Cabañero-Verzosa, C., & Garcia, H. R. (2011). People, Politics, and Change: Building Communication Capacity for Governance Reform. Retrieved July 2014, from The World Bank: EXTGOVACC/0,,contentMDK: ~pagePK: ~piPK: ~ thesitepk: ,00.html 11. Tuition Fee Free Policy is a Government of PNG policy initiated in 2011 and first implemented in The Tuition Fee Free Policy is a subsidised school fee for all students in PNG from elementary schools up to Secondary and vocational institutions as well as those in Open Distance Learning, Special Education Institutions and privately run schools. 12. WIPO. (n.d.). Papua New Guinea Broadcasting Corporation Act Retrieved July 2014, from World Intellectual Property Organization: The World Bank. (2014). Internet users (per 100 people). Retrieved July 29, 2014, from The World Bank: UNICEF. (2014). Communication for Development. Retrieved July 2014, from UNICEF: Watson, A. (2011). Early Experience of Mobile Telephony: A Comparison of Two Villages in PNG. Media Asia. WIPO. (n.d). Papua New Guinea Broadcasting Corporation Act Retrieved July 2014, from World Intellectual Propoerty Organization: