13 November 2013

NBC exchange program highlights development issues

An Australian-funded journalist exchange program is helping a Chimbu-based reporter shed light on some of the harsh realities of living in urban settlements in Port Moresby.

National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) journalist Theo Thomas is investigating life in settlements and rural areas under an exchange program run by the Media for Development Initiative (MDI).

He has produced television program on a young Engan boy living in Port Moresby with a heart condition who cannot get specialist medical care.

“His mother sells food to keep them in the city, after the father walked out of them. They’ve been in Port Moresby for a year and five months now,” Theo says.

“Fortunately they get some help from a kind woman who heard of their plight, but the child’s condition remains.”

Theo’s story examined health and education issues, law and order problems and the strain on public utilities from the growth in settlements.

“My work under the exchange program looks at how these people live when they move to the cities and I’m also asking what government and those in authority are doing about this.”

Theo’s investigations have led to a series of reports on the rural urban drift every Wednesday on Kundu 2 TV at 7.45pm.

Theo is among eight NBC journalists on an exchange at NBC provincial stations and at the headquarters in Port Moresby.

They are producing in-depth reports and a half hour documentary focusing on development issues including health, education, gender and disability.

Participants are chosen following a rigorous selection process based on the subject and issues they want to investigate and how they plan on researching, reporting on and producing material during their exchange.

A prestigious two-month attachment with ABC Melbourne is also part of the program for two journalists, with recipients Jack Tame from NBC Western Highlands and Ahimsa Kibikibi from NBC New Ireland training with the ABC’s Tok Pisin service and Pacific Beat.

“There are so many issues that really need to be looked at and I want to put a human face to these challenges. To really look at the plight of people, especially our children and get their stories out there,” Theo says.

“The MDI exchange program is an excellent initiative with so many opportunities.

“We get to work in different environments, share knowledge and more importantly greatly improve the content we produce.

“I hope the exchange program continues, so all NBC journalists and broadcasters can benefit.”

The Australian Government has been helping build the capacity of the NBC since 2005 through the MDI. Australian Aid aims to give Papua New Guineans a voice, nationwide access to information and generate development content that will benefit the people.

In its current phase, the MDI is focused on communication for development, which includes the exchange program, the social journalism awards, panel broadcasts in provinces and a new radio network focusing on youth issues.