Bougainville Communications gets a boost

A communication professional from the Autonomous Bougainville Government has completed an internship with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, saying the experience will help him to inform Bougainvilleans on the implementation process of the Bougainville Peace Agreement.

Mr Korok Talakam works in the Bougainville Bureau of Public Affairs, Media and Communication as a senior producer with Radio Ples Lain, a project responsible for broadcasting ABG News through mobile radio in remote communities. Mr Talakam was a recipient of this year’s Douglas Gabb Australia Pacific Journalism Internship.

The Douglas Gabb internship is offered by the Australian Government in conjunction with the ABC with the aim of helping journalists develop their professional skills and build relationships with Australian counterparts. The late Douglas Gabb was a member of Radio Australia's Tok Pisin team for nearly 20 years.

Mr Talakam visited the ABC in Cairns, Canberra and Melbourne in September completing one-to-one sessions in areas including radio, television and social media.

“One of the most valuable sessions I really learnt a lot from is the editorial meetings held by ABC’s Pacific Beat. It gave more sense of direction of daily regional activities and continuity in terms of following up of progressive news and current issues,” Mr Talakam said.

Mr Talakam said the internship provided a valuable opportunity to network and work with ABC journalists from China, Indonesia and Vietnam who report for Radio Australia.

“It taught me a lot about respecting experience, harnessing potential, having an open mind of regional issues and working together to make a difference wherever we are using the limited resources we have,” he said.

“As a senior producer I believe these skills are vital in running a newsroom or production studio. I am now in a better position to further plan broadcast schedules for the Bougainville awareness framework which aims to adequately inform Bougainvilleans on the implementation process of the Bougainville Peace Agreement and Referendum.”