PNG journalist blasts NBC neglect

PNG journalist blasts NBC neglect

6 February 2001

* Pacific Media Watch Online:
http://www.pmw.c2o.org
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Top Journalist Begins New Legal Career Today

* See picture online at the National:
http://www.zipworld.com.au/~national/0205/nationframe6.htm

By IAN BODEN

PORT MORESBY (Pacific Media Watch): Successive Papua New Guinean
governments have been strongly criticised for their failure to
effectively fund the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), the
National reports.

A cross-section of the Port Moresby community gathered at a function on
Friday night to mark the transition of noted journalist and broadcaster
Ekonia Peni to his new career as a lawyer.

Responding to congratulations from various speakers, among them former
Prime Minister and Member for Kokopo Sir Rabbie Namaliu, Mr Peni said
far too many of the NBC's programs were heard only in Port Moresby.

"The government should wake up to what the NBC is doing and what it is
capable of doing," he said, praising his former NBC colleagues for their
role in keeping the NBC operational.

The function at the Gateway Hotel was hosted by ABC resident
representative Richard Dinnen.

Mr Peni, 39, from the Duke of York islands in East New Britain province
worked for many years with both the National Broadcasting Corporation
(NBC), and the ABC's overseas service, Radio Australia (RA).

Mr Peni joined the NBC in 1979 as a cadet journalist and later moved to
RA's Port Moresby headquarters, where he worked with former ABC
representative Sean Dorney.

When Mr Dorney and his family were deported by the Somare government in
1984, Mr Peni maintained the RA service from Port Moresby.

He became a familiar voice on the English/Tok Pisin service, and
established a reputation as one of PNG's best-regarded journalists.

Mr Peni decided in 1995 to pursue a career as a lawyer, and studied for
his degree, qualifying in 2000 from the Legal Training Institute, where
he was Dux of his year, and won the prestigious Supreme Court Prize
presented to him by the Chief Justice, Sir Arnold Amet.

Speaking at the gathering, Member for Kokopo Sir Rabbie Namaliu praised
Mr Peni's "total professionalism", and noted that few journalists work
for the one organisation as long as Mr Peni had.

Former Vice Chancellor of the University of Technology, and current head
of PNG Gas Dr Moseley Moramoro paid tribute to Mr Peni's reporting of
the resource sector and higher education, and for his outstanding
coverage of HIV/AIDS issues for RA.

ABC and RA representative Richard Dinnen praised Mr Peni's support since
he took up the position, and passed on congratulations and thanks to Mr
Peni from ABC senior management in Australia.

Mr Peni will take up his new appointment with a well-known legal firm in
Port Moresby today.

+++niuswire

ENDS

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