New Media Book Offers Many Cultural Insights

Sunday, 4 March 2012, 12:14 pm
Press Release: Pacific Media Centre

New Media Book Offers Many Cultural Insights by Young Researchers

http://www.pmc.aut.ac.nz/pacific-media-watch/png-new-media-book-offers-many-cultural-insights-young-researchers-7843

PORT MORESBY (Divine Word University / Pacific Media Watch): Divine Word University wishes to announce the publication of the book Communication, Culture and Society in Papua New Guinea, Yu tok wanem?, edited by Dr Evangelia Papoutsaki of Unitec, Auckland, and Br Michael McManus and Patrick Matbob of the Communication Arts Department of Divine Word University.

This book is a co-publication of Auckland University of Technology’s Pacific Media Centre and DWU Press in Madang, Papua New Guinea.

We are pleased to present the work of our young, emerging researchers who write about issues involving mainstream media, the information gap and social concerns, providing space for critical reflection on media, communication and development. Family violence: Is it just another incident? Radio: Are we tuned in for development? HIV/AIDS language: Benefit or barrier? These are a few of the many issues raised in this book.

Our PNG researchers tell us something of their own stories in these chapters.

“I grew up in Upa village in the Southern Highlands,” writes Jeffrey Elapa in Chapter 10.

“I was briefly caught in between two warring clans. This research was a learning ground for me,” writes Brenda Peter in Chapter 8. DWU lecturer Patrick Matbob writes in Chapter 17: “To see students transform from being nervous, shy and uncertain to being self-confident is a deeply satisfying experience for me.”

Most of the work presented in these chapters comes from the research dissertations of final year communication arts students under the supervision of Patrick Matbob. He writes at length of his experiences of teaching research in Chapter 17, and these are some comments from students about taking the research unit:

“In the past I was a passive learner; research has taught me to be an active learner”... “I think research makes us take ownership of our own learning, not expecting others to feed us information.” .. “ I know much more than my lecturers know about my topic.”

We are honoured to have contributions from experienced researchers, including Professor David Robie, Associate Professor Evangelia Papoutsaki, Dr Philip Cass and Dr Lee Duffield. Amanda Watson, Alphonse Aime and Verena Thomas contributed their chapters while undertaking PhD studies.

Four contributors are studying masters degrees or have recently completed a masters degree – Martha Ginau, Henry Yamo – currently with the AUT Pacific Media Centre - Barbara Kepa and Brenda Peter.

Three writers work in the mainstream media – Jeffrey Elapa, Anisah Issimel and Glenda Popot, while the remaining eight work in the wider communications sector.

The book will be launched by Professor of Pacific Studies Tagaloatele Peggy Fairbairn-Dunlop at AUT, Auckland, on March 9.

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