Buka, Bougainville, 15^tt April 2019 – As part of a joint initiative supported by the National Coordination Office for Bougainville Affairs, and the Autonomous Bougainville Government, UNDP and UN Women supported a Media Dialogue in Buka from the 8^th – 13^th April. 18 participants from all major news outlets, national and local, attended the 5 day training in Bougainville last week.

The Media Dialogue was designed to give first hand updates of the progress of the Bougainville Peace Agreement (BPA), background and context to the Bougainville Crisis and equip editors, news managers and senior journalists with the understanding of their role in ensuring news coverage of a post conflict region is well informed, balanced and sensitive.

The UNDP Resident Representative a.i, Tracy Vienings said: “The mainstream media plays a critical role informing the people of PNG and Bougainville in the progress with implementing the Peace Agreement. This training is very timely, as Bougainville and Papua New Guinea enter into the six month period before the 12^th October referendum date; the importance of fair and balanced reporting will play a key role in maintaining peace.”

For many of the participants, the background and context to the BPA and its implementation to date, as delivered during the workshop, provided a new and clear perspective on Bougainville and its journey towards the October 12^th 2019 referendum when its people will decide their political future. Many shared their appreciation of being given the opportunity to hear first-hand information on the BPA progress and how this has changed their view of reporting on the BPA.

“The workshop was very informative, inspiring and network-building for me. It reaffirms how equally important it is to not just to write on current affairs but on establishing the story behind the story. I didn’t fully realize the contribution and impact my work can have to the peace and development of my country, until this media dialogue” was the feedback from one of the participants at the end of the course.

“The training was an insight for many young members of the team who were born just before or after the Bougainville crisis erupted in 1988” was the feedback from another.

The Media Dialogue, facilitated by a former BBC journalist, Ms. Joanna Jolly, provided training on sensitive reporting and through her experience in Timor-Leste, Nepal, and Israel, among other countries, gave best practice examples of how journalists can support fair and balanced coverage around sensitive issues.

The UN in Papua New Guinea, through the Peacebuilding Fund, will continue to support the two Governments and key stakeholders in the implementation of the Peace Agreement; in particular with support to dialogue, referendum and BPA awareness, post-referendum planning and weapons disposal.

Media Contacts:
Serahphina Aupong, UNDP Communications Officer, +675 7374 8724, serahphina.aupong@undp.org