Gorethy Kenneth
PORT MORESBY (PNG Post-Courier/ Pacific Media Watch): The Papua New Guinea government is now reviewing the necessary laws to address cross media ownership, foreign ownership and investment in media, content, copyright, advertising and related issues.
Secretary for Department of Communication and Information Paulias Korni said this at the official launch of Cybercrime Policy and Regulation on SIM Card Registration in Port Moresby yesterday.
The laws to be reviewed include the National Information and Communication Technology Act 2009, the National Broadcasting Corp Act, specifically to address matters on cross media ownership, foreign ownership and investment in media, content, copyright, advertising and related matters.
“As a way forward, the government, while endorsing the policy, has also endorsed a work plan and a funding of K3.2 million (NZ$400,000) for the development of a standalone Cybercrime Legislation, capacity building and an awareness programme,” Korni said.
“The cybercrime policy that the minister [Jimmy Miringtoro] will be launching today is one of the important policy initiatives to curtail the occurrences of cybercrime,” he said.
“This policy was put together by a core working group comprising representatives for NICTA, Department of Communication and Information and Department of Attorney-General and Justice. The policy draft was put through the consultation process and finally endorsed by cabinet in July 2014,” Korni said.
Policy framework
Korni explained the policy framework was based on the Pacific model put together by the Pacific Island countries through various workshops held since 2010 with the support and technical advice from the International Telecommunication Union experts.
The framework reflects the best international practices and element of addressing cybercrimes under Budapest Convention.
He also said it required support from all key government agencies and institutions of the state to fight cybercrime and his department in collaboration with NICTA would take the lead.
The Information and communications technology division has expanded so fast over the last few years in the country, propelled by the introduction of competition and the rapid expansion and innovation in the development of ICT in the global market
Korni acknowledges that the expansion in the use of ICT in the country has brought about some positive changes in the patterns of social interactions and economic development.
National goals
However on the policy front, a lot more work needs to be done to ensure there is a clear direction on the supply and use of ICT services, aligned to the country's national goals and directive principles.
The secretary also said there was an urgency to review all the existing policies on telecommunication and broadcasting services in light of the rapid transformation that is happening in the sector.
The National ICT Policy 2008 and the outdated National Policy on Communication and Information 1994 will be reviewed and updated to capture latest developments in the ICT.
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