Residents Want Quantity
p. 141 · Read in the full issue
Pa News
Ervice
Residents Want Quantity As Well as Quality
i N appeal for more news for the L people of Papua-New Guinea was made by Mr George liittaker, elected member for the »w Guinea Mainland, at the March eeting of the Territory Legislative juncil.
Mr. Whittaker said the radio news illetins broadcast by the ABC ation in Port Moresby were too ort —five minutes was not enough. ; said the bulletins contained ws of importance and interest for ople in Papua-New Guinea, and 50 Northern Queensland and other tcific Islands where the station uld be picked up.
He suggested that instead of the lletins being repeated during the y, fresh items of news be sup ed and broadcast. If necessary e ABC should consider getting an ditional journalist to make this ireased coverage possible.
Vlr Whittaker said he wanted to ike it “crystal clear” that he was nplaining about the quantity of 1C news from 9PA, not the ality, which he considered was aerally cf a high standard.
Editorial Note
!t will probably be useless telling tfG listeners that they are already ;ting better news-services than y other South Pacific territory e article on page 140). Or as good they are likely to get while the »C provides only one journalist in ■t Moresby to collect and assemble the news from the large Terri y of Papua-New Guinea. Like St other enterprises in the Terri y, the demand for news coverage s grown in the last few years— ; 9PA’s establishment has not iwn proportionately. But P-NG lio service must be regarded as lational necessity and not as an nomic proposition—and local vs services are vital in that Terri y. In essence, what Mr. Whittaker nts is more ABC staff to gather i news. Radio news does not jpen—it has to be assembled, at, of course, is a matter of ance—and how 9PA is financed don’t know. Is it a charge on Australian taxpayer? Or, does Administration pay certain irges? Certainly, broadcasting mce fees would not cover the t of the services already given.
'astor Salerua, of the New arides Presbyterian Mission, visit- Australia, was presented with a r of hansome mulga-wood book is by a women’s group at Lismore, W, in March.