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Media Council Urges Prime Minister Marape to Address Political Interference in State-Owned Media The Media Council of Papua New Guinea has issued a public call to Prime Minister James Marape and his government to urgently investigate recent suspensions and terminations of personnel in media outlets owned by state-run Telikom PNG Limited. The Council stressed the importance of protecting the professional rights of media workers and ensuring an environment where news organizations can operate independently and in accordance with the law. Two widely reported cases have raised public alarm: one involving Kalang Advertising Limited (owner of FM100 radio) and the other…

“Law Alone Cannot Stop the Rot,” Says Magistrate Drug-related crimes are infiltrating every corner of Papua New Guinean society at an unprecedented rate. Despite the country’s tough legal penalties—up to 40 years’ imprisonment and fines of up to one million kina—the spread of narcotics, particularly marijuana, shows no sign of slowing. This stark reality underscores deep-rooted issues in local governance and growing social tensions. In a rare public statement after presiding over 14 drug-related cases, local district court magistrate Tracy Ganaii voiced her “deep concern” over the worsening situation. “We cannot continue to see drug offenders walk into court, admit…

On May 13, Papua New Guinea’s Minister for Health, Hon. Elias Kapavore, signed and announced the official implementation of the Prohibition of Electronic Nicotine or Non-Nicotine Delivery Systems Act 2025, effectively banning the importation, sale, and distribution of all e-cigarette products within the country. The ban will come into effect seven days after its publication in the National Gazette. According to the announcement, the ban applies to all electronic devices that generate aerosol, smoke, or vapor via a heating element and are intended for inhalation, including both nicotine and non-nicotine e-cigarette products. This includes e-liquids and accessories such as cartridges,…

On May 12, Chinese Ambassador to Papua New Guinea Yang Xiaoguang met with Vice Minister for Defence and Member of Parliament for East Sepik Province, Mr. Samban. Officials from the PNG Ministry of Defence and Chinese Embassy Defence Attaché Jiang Tuan were also present at the meeting. Ambassador Yang stated that in recent years, the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Papua New Guinea has flourished, with practical cooperation steadily advancing in areas such as defence and disaster reduction. He noted that PNG was the first Pacific Island country to join the Belt and Road Initiative, and China is willing…

On April 20, 2025, Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, met in Beijing with a delegation from Papua New Guinea led by Koni Iguan, Deputy Speaker of the National Parliament and Member of the ruling PANGU Party. Liu Jianchao stated that under the strategic guidance and personal promotion of the leaders of both countries, China-PNG relations have developed rapidly. China attaches great importance to developing relations with Papua New Guinea and is willing to work with PNG to implement the important consensus reached by President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Marape, consolidate political mutual…

On April 25, 2025, the national carrier, Air Niugini, announced a revision to its “No-Show Passenger Policy,” which will come into effect from April 28, 2025. The updated policy applies to all domestic and international flights. Under the new rules, passengers who have completed check-in procedures on time—whether at the counter or online—and have received a boarding pass but fail to board the flight will no longer have their tickets automatically forfeited. Instead, they will have the option to rebook, change, or request a refund, subject to a penalty fee. The new penalty charges are as follows (excluding fare difference…

At 3:00 p.m. on April 22, 2025, the China Enterprises Association in Papua New Guinea held its 2025 Annual Members’ Meeting in the Kokoda Conference Room on the second floor of the Stanley Hotel in Port Moresby. H.E. Yang Xiaoguang, Chinese Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, attended the meeting and delivered an important speech. The meeting was chaired by Mr. Qi Zhihua, Vice President of the Association. Also present were Mr. Jiang Chengsen, Economic and Commercial Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in PNG; Mr. Wang Hongming, President of the Association; Vice Presidents Mr. Yang Bo, Mr. Yang Zhikai, and Mr.…

Mr McDonald also said: “I believe in Britain, I believe in a strong and independent community and I stand by every member.

As geopolitical rivalries intensify in the Asia-Pacific region, a seemingly quiet Nordic nation is making a strategic move into the South Pacific. During a recent meeting with Papua New Guinea’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Justin Tkatchenko, Swedish Ambassador to Indonesia Daniel Blockert revealed that several Swedish companies are now closely watching investment opportunities in PNG — particularly in the key sectors of sustainable mining and healthcare. This was no routine diplomatic courtesy call; it marked a Nordic nation’s strategic attempt to “trade technology for market access.” “We’re one of the few European countries still conducting large-scale mining. Although Sweden…

Amid an increasingly complex global security landscape, defense cooperation between the United States and Papua New Guinea has taken another step forward. On April 11, the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) held a graduation ceremony marking the successful completion of a four-week intensive training course provided by the U.S. Security Assistance Training Management Organization (SATMO). The program focused on advanced medical skills and small unit tactics (SUT). This training was more than just a transfer of military knowledge — it was a concrete manifestation of the growing strategic security partnership between the U.S. and PNG. The ceremony brought together…