Media Complaints Tribunal installed

THE Media Council of Papua New Guinea's Complaints Tribunal has been revived with fresh appointments. 

The members of the tribunal which will handle complaints made against the media, are MCPNG President, Neville Choi, Post-Courier Editor-In-Chief, Matthew Vari, and NBC Acting Head of News, Waliegai Olewale.

The Media Council of Papua New Guinea's role in providing an avenue for anyone aggrieved by news reports published or aired by mainstream media outlets is a crucial one in ensuring that there is a pathway for audiences and members of the public to air their concerns about what they see, hear or read in the mainstream media sector.

Media Council President, Neville Choi, explained, that it was important for the Council to ensure the installation of this important body, so that the media could continue to be engaged with its audiences, about how it disseminates news and information.

"The current MCPNG Constitution guides the installation of an MCPNG Independent Complaints Tribunal, to take complaints from the public, against any of its mainstream media members. Our members understand the journalistic laws which govern the collection, packaging, and dissemination of news. And should they stray from these, our audiences have the right to challenge them through an independent complaints process. 

"With the installation of the complaints tribunal effected at the council's recent AGM for 2023, It will now commence to adjudicate over any complaints it receives directly, or any complaint which has not see a satisfactory compromise or retraction with the concerned media organization," Mr. Choi said.

Tribunal Member and Editor-In-Chief of the Post-Courier, Matthew Vari, says while the current membership is restricted to three representatives of the MCPNG Council, should any of the members' own media organizations be the subject of a complaint, they will recuse themselves, and the Council is at liberty to appoint a council member not involved in the complaint, to adjudicate.

The Council is also mindful of increasing the membership and representation on this important committee of the MCPNG, and has included it in its current review of the MCPNG Constitution.

ENDS...//