The strategic collaboration between the Media Council of Papua New Guinea (MCPNG) and Women in Media PNG (WiM PNG) brought together over 200 participants for the 2025 Media Summit at the Hilton Hotel on World Press Freedom Day. The Summit was one of two major events for the MCPNG to mark Word Press Freedom Day celebrations, and was organized by WiM PNG on behalf of the Council. The summit, themed “AI, Ethics & Standards in PNG’s Media Future,” delved into the evolving challenges and opportunities within the media industry with these were the key objectives ~ Exploring the ethical implications of Artificial Intelligence in journalism. ~ Developing strategies to combat misinformation and promote transparency. ~ Highlighting the role of women in media and promoting gender equality. ~ Establishing and upholding media standards in the digital era. The National Media Summit also featured a diverse lineup of speakers and panelists, including Richard Howard, UN Resident Coordinator in PNG, who delivered the opening keynote address. Peter Aitsi, Chair of Transparency International PNG, who participated in panel discussions on media ethics and governance. Mary-Louise O’Callaghan, an award-winning Australian journalist renowned for her coverage of Pacific affairs was present as part of the panel 3. Fred Wesley, Editor-in-Chief of The Fiji Times, was the last guest speaker to conclude the three panels, he discussed the state of press freedom in Fiji and Pacific. All these individuals brought valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing the media industry in PNG and other Pacific region. Neville Choi, President of MCPNG, addressed all participants during the summit in his remarks. “This summit reflects our collective efforts to ensure that journalism in PNG continues to evolve while upholding ethical standards and fostering public trust." "The role of media in a democratic society cannot be understated, and as we adapt to digital change, we must ensure our principles remain firm.” The 2025 Media Summit is expected to have a lasting impact on the media landscape in PNG by these 4 areas: ~ Fostering collaboration among media professionals and organizations. ~ Promoting ethical standards and accountability in journalism. ~ Empowering women to take on leadership roles within the media industry. ~ Encouraging the adoption of innovative technologies while maintaining journalistic integrity. The success of the summit also inadvertently drew public attention to the recent suspension of FM100 talkback host Culligan Tanda, prompting public debate over media freedom and independence. Prominent journalist Scott Waide called on the Prime Minister via Facebook, urging government transparency and questioning the reasons behind Tanda’s suspension. By addressing these critical areas, the summit aims to strengthen the role of media in supporting democracy and development in Papua New Guinea.