In a press conference held yesterday, Thursday, October 24th, in Port Moresby, Neville Choi, President of the PNG Media Council and co-chair of the Community Coalition Against Corruption (CCAC), emphasized the need for media responsibility in reporting violence.
Choi emphasised that people must stop normalising the disturbing images of brutality circulating on social media.
“Echoing the views and the sentiments of the CCAC, the fact that these gruesome images are shared speaks to the desensitization of our people to such acts. We should not consider these acts normal.”
Choi highlighted the media’s crucial role in deterring violence through the dissemination of factual and timely information.
“One of the challenges our media sector faces is ensuring that we provide this factual information.”
He called for greater transparency in governmental processes related to violence, stressing that effective leadership at all levels is essential.
“This call for transparency comes from the Coalition,” Choi said.
He recognized the difficulties faced by those working on the ground in response to such violence, emphasizing the collective responsibility to address these issues.
He urged the importance of accountability and proactive media engagement in fostering a safer and more informed society.