AUCKLAND (Pacific Media Centre / Pacific Media Watch): Communicators in Oceania have a duty not only to inform and investigate but also to interpret the impact of global and local future trends in the region, says New Zealand’s only professor of Pacific studies.
They need to interpret how they influence daily life in Papua New Guinea and the region, said Tagaloatele Professor Peggy Fairbairn-Dunlop.
Speaking at the launching of a new book at AUT University's Pacific Media Centre, Tagaloatele said the role of the media in developing countries needed to be examined given the diversity of languages, cultural values and beliefs.
Tagaloatele Professor Peggy Fairbairn-Dunlop speaking at the book launch. PMC director Dr David Robie in the background. Photo: Del Abcede
Communication was the key to development and she cited the role of radio stations in colonial times but there was a need to break free from Western research dominance.
Tagaloatele praised Communication, Culture and Society in Papua New Guinea: Yu Tok Wanem? as a book strengthening a rich tradition of Melanesian research culture.
She also said this new book located research at the “heart of journalism” and media education.
The book – with a subtitle in Tok Pisin meaning “What are you talking about?” – was co-edited by PMC research associate professor Evangelia Papoutsaki of Unitec; Brother Michael McManus, head of communication arts at Divine Word University in Madang, PNG; and journalist and media educator Patrick Matbob, also at DWU.
PMC director Dr David Robie wroter the preface and a "tale of two countries" media newsrooms comparison. Henry Yamo and Dr Philip Cass are also co-authors.
Read the full article on PMC Online here
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