The Media Council of Papua New Guinea (MCPNG) launched its signature PNG Media Awards on Friday 10th May in Port Moresby city. This time, this cornerstone event, which promotes and honors the highest standards of journalism and media excellence in the country, has diversified its award categories to cater to the ever-evolving ‘media’, highlighting inclusiveness in both traditional media or press platforms, and the dominant on-line media presence in the country. MCPNG President, Neville Choi said the awards will cover Journalism, Radio, Television, Print, Online, and Special awards. “The awards are a beacon of encouragement for journalists and media to continue investigative work, adhere to ethical standards, and be dedicated to truth and transparency, aiming to foster an environment where these values are increasingly recognized and upheld.” “This year, the launch of the awards is supported by the ABC International Development (ABCID) project Media Development Initiative (MDI), highlighting the global recognition of the importance of quality journalism.” The launch today emphasizes the loyalty and hard work of MCPNG, specifically, with the current leadership of President Choi, Vice President Gregory Moses, Secretary Belinda Kora, and Treasurer Genesis Ketan, who continue to steer the council toward fostering integrity and growth in media communications. Since its inception in 1994, MCPNG has been a cornerstone in promoting professional media ethics and defending the media and its interests. Categories and awards include a Journalism Category for the Journalist of the Year Award. Mr. Choi said for this award, the applicant can submit up to six pieces of work which has been aired, published, or posted in PNG since World Media/Press Freedom Day on May 3rd, 2024 to April 20th, 2025. Another award in this category is for Best Investigation, Outstanding Young Journalist, Sports Journalist of the Year, Report of the Year, and the Provincial Journalist of the Year The Provincial Journalist of the Year is an award in recognition of the word of an individual working in TV, radio, print and online at a Provincial or local level, such as news stringers based out from their head office. Mr. Choi said this award is for an individual who has produced consistent and varied work at a Provincial level, and again, their work must have been aired or published in PNG between May 3, 2024 and April 20, 2025. In the radio category, awards will go for Best Radio Show and Radio Presenter of the Year, which is good news for radio stations in the country. For the Television Category, Awards will be for the Best TV Programme or Show, and TV Presenter of the Year. Other categories and awards include: the Best News Story in the Print Category; and Best Website and Best Blog and Creative Media Award for the On-line Category. Mr. Choi said the Creative Media Award aims to highlight the creative use of digital or other media in a campaign to promote a product, brand, or service, and includes the best use of social media to promote a product, brand or service. Other awards introduced are: Special Awards, Media Personality of the Year, and Diversity In Media Award. The last award is for an individual, organization, and brand which has made a concerted and genuine effort to improve representation and produce diverse content at all levels. The award recognizes the attempts to improve diversity at leadership and management levels; produce content and performances that are catered towards diverse audiences; or make genuine efforts to train staff through specific scholarships or training towards all under-represented groups. This award is not date-sensitive. Mr. Choi also said another award is the Outstanding Contribution to Media Award, which recognizes the commitment and determination of an individual who has helped to shape the media within the PNG. It rewards the contribution of a special individual who is held in high regard by his or her contemporaries and whose work has made a lasting impression within the media landscape. MCPNG is now extending its outreach to the industry, seeking support for the event, both in cash and kind, to further celebrate and encourage the vital role in upholding democracy in the country, more so now than ever as the role of media in the country continues to be debated, and closely monitored by the current government.