Visiting along with local artists performing at this weekend’s Pacific Community Day, have welcomed the initiative as an important platform for strengthening Pacific unity, growing the music industry, and creating new opportunities for regional collaboration. Speaking during a press conference ahead of the May 16 celebrations at Sir Hubert Murray Stadium, in Port Moresby, Solomon Islands music artist Sharzy, thanked the National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop, and the event team for inviting him to be part of the celebrations. “It’s a privilege for me to be part of this Pacific Community Day.” He described Papua New Guinea as a “big brother” to Pacific Island nations, saying Port Moresby has the potential to become a major regional hub for Pacific arts, culture and entertainment. “Papua New Guinea itself is a big brother to all Pacific Islanders in the region.” Sharzy praised Port Moresby for hosting Pacific Community Day, saying such events help unite Pacific nations through music and culture. “When Moresby City hosts something like Pacific Community Day, it is a big thing and it is the right thing, because Moresby is a big brother among cities in the region.” The Solomon Islands musician also floated the idea of a larger regional festival, which he called Singaut Pasifika, bringing together musicians and cultural groups from across the Pacific. “I want to see something bigger like Singaut Pasifika, where Pacific Islanders, especially musicians and cultural groups, can all come together and sing.” Meanwhile, local artists Rhee and Mereani Masani also expressed excitement at sharing the stage with established regional artists. Rhee described the event as a major career opportunity and platform for exposure. “It is a great opportunity to share the stage with artists like Mereani, Kronos and Sharzy.” “I used to listen to them growing up, so to now perform alongside them is really special.” Meanwhile Mereani described music as a powerful tool for unity. “Music has always been a powerful tool to bring people together and inspire change. This event helps bring the Pacific together and unite everyone,” she said. As a proud Melanesian woman with Fijian and Papua New Guinean heritage, she said Pacific Community Day was personally meaningful. “I proudly represent culture through music, so this is something I really love to do.” She also acknowledged government support for the arts, saying stronger institutional backing is needed for PNG’s entertainment sector to grow. “There is so much potential for the entertainment industry to go far, but we definitely need more support.” Kronos also expressed his appreciation towards the Amazing Port Moresby team stating that these gigs help musicians and artists earn a living.

NCD Governor Powes Parkop says Papua New Guinea (PNG) must invest seriously in entertainment and the creative arts, positioning the sector as an emerging industry for youth employment, tourism, and economic growth.Speaking while announcing the return of Pacific Community Day this Saturday, May 16, Governor Parkop said the annual event is more than a cultural celebration, serving as a platform to promote local artists and develop Port Moresby into a regional entertainment hub. He said with Port Moresby’s population now exceeding one million, the city has the market and audience for musicians, performers, and visual artists from both Papua New Guinea and across the Pacific. He revealed plans to build a performance space which will provide a dedicated venue for concerts, performances, and other creative productions. “One of our projects is to build a 5,000-seat performing arts theatre. “ Parkop said while higher education remains important, not every young Papua New Guinean will pursue careers in law, medicine, or engineering, making it necessary to create stronger pathways in arts and entertainment. He said the entertainment industry has become a major global economic force and Papua New Guinea should invest in building similar opportunities for its own artists.

Port Moresby will once again host its Pacific Community Day this Saturday, 16 May 2026, to celebrate regional unity, cultural diversity, and Papua New Guinea’s Pacific identity.Announcing the event, Powes Parkop, Governor of the National Capital District (NCD), said the celebration builds on last year’s successful program held during Papua New Guinea’s 50th anniversary commemorations. Governor Parkop said Pacific Community Day was introduced to continue telling the Pacific story and recognizing the important role Pacific nations have played in shaping Papua New Guinea’s history and development. “This is a continuation of what we started last year during the 50th anniversary of our country’s journey as a nation.” He spoke on the historical contributions of Pacific missionaries and early workers from countries including Samoa, Fiji, Nauru, Cook Islands, and the Solomon Islands, who came to Papua New Guinea during colonial times and contributed to the country’s social, religious, and institutional foundations. Additionally, the event is also aimed at strengthening Port Moresby’s position not only as Papua New Guinea’s national capital, but as a regional Pacific city and cultural hub. “We should be more than just a national capital. We can and should be a Pacific city.” This year’s event will feature performances from leading artists from Papua New Guinea and across the Pacific, showcasing music, arts, and cultural expression as a means of bringing Pacific communities together. He also reiterated the city’s commitment to growing the creative sector, revealing that the National Capital District Commission (NCDC) is progressing plans for a 5, 000-seat performing arts theatre along Port Moresby’s Boulevard to support local artists and strengthen the entertainment industry. He also said the city wants to create more platforms for young people pursuing careers in music, arts, and entertainment. “Other platforms such as education are important, but not everybody can take up a regular career, there should be a platform for the arts.” “This day is also about making our city a hub for entertainment creation.” “Developing the entertainment industry to become a very strong platform for which all of our current and upcoming artists and entertainers can thrive.”

Title: Love & CoconutGenre: Drama, Romance Premiere Date: Friday 15th May 2026 Cast: Nellie Seta, Joseph Paul, Angeline Sapsi, Carlos Zeng “What happens when a man from the city falls for an island woman? Drama, betrayal, gossip or worse?” Love & Coconut is a Papua New Guinean vertical drama series by Liklik Media. Set to premiere on TikTok and Facebook, this pioneering production brings stories from Port Moresby’s shores straight to your home. A hardworking daughter, now the subject of community gossip, a metropolitan-man wrestling with an unexplainable attraction, paired with a sentimental track that is guaranteed to guide the watcher through a wave of subtle emotions. Cinematography is simple, capturing the rawness of a PNG lifestyle. By the end of this very short trailer, I was interested to know how this story would unfold on screen. Taking into consideration that film is not a popular art form practiced in the country; the risk and innovation taken by Liklik Media adds to the excitement. Whether this series becomes a passing thought in the future or a catalyst for more drama reels, depends on the cast and crew.

The National Government has committed an initial K500,000 towards the revival of Malagan culture in New Ireland Province.Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Belden Namah announced the funding during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the National Cultural Commission (NCC) and the New Ireland Provincial Government this week. The Minister said the funding demonstrates the government’s seriousness in reviving and protecting cultural practices across the country, beginning with the internationally recognized Malagan tradition. “From my ministry and from NCC, we are going to put the first K500,000 to revive the Malagan. This will demonstrate to the rest of the provinces that we are in the serious business of reviving all cultural events.” Malagan is one of New Ireland’s most celebrated cultural practices, known for its intricate carvings, ceremonial masks, and traditional rituals, which hold deep social and spiritual significance for the province. New Ireland Governor, Byron Chan welcomed the initiative, saying the province is eager to work closely with the national government to promote its rich cultural identity and participate more actively in national cultural and tourism programs. The newly signed MOU is expected to pave the way for future cultural programs, festivals, and tourism opportunities to showcase New Ireland’s unique heritage to both domestic and international audiences.

The Teaching Service Commission (TSC) has launched its Corporate Plan, Teaching Service Development Plan, and a new official website.This effort aims to modernize teacher administration and strengthen education governance across Papua New Guinea after 53 years of operating through manual record-keeping. Chairman of the Teaching Service Commission Maini Mike Ugaia, said the institution is now entering a new era of digital transformation, accountability, and strategic planning designed to improve services for nearly 70, 000 teachers nationwide. “Today, we stand at a crossroads of tradition and transformation,” said Chairman Ugaia. “For over five decades, this Commission has largely relied on manual systems.” “Today, we break that cycle and embrace a future defined by digital efficiency and strategic clarity.” The Chairman acknowledged the leadership of Prime Minister James Marape and the Marape-Rosso government for directing reforms aimed at modernizing public service institutions. He said the Prime Minister had challenged the Commission to “modernize or be left behind,” with a clear directive for TSC to become a more flexible and decentralized body serving teachers in districts and remote schools rather than remaining centered in Port Moresby. “We are moving away from being a Port Moresby-centric office to a service that is felt in every school in Papua New Guinea.” Meanwhile, Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science, Technology and Sports, and Acting Minister for Education, Kinoka Feo, described the launch as a historic milestone in reforming the “engine room” of the country’s education system. “We are not merely launching documents and digital platforms; we are ushering in a new era of accountability, efficiency and modernization for the nearly 70, 000 teachers who faithfully serve our nation.” He reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring no teacher is left behind, stressing that teacher grievances, payroll issues, appointments, and administrative matters must be handled with greater speed, fairness, and transparency. The newly launched TSC Corporate Plan will serve as the Commission’s institutional roadmap, aligning operations with the Government’s Medium-Term Development Plan IV. Key priorities include institutional strengthening, improved governance, and better service delivery systems to manage the country’s large teaching workforce. The plan also outlines efforts toward financial independence, including advocacy for a single-line budget aimed at prioritizing teacher salaries, entitlements, and operational efficiency. Simultaneously, the Teaching Service Development Plan focuses on strengthening the teaching profession through workforce development, professional standards, and clearer career pathways. Chairman Ugaia said the commission plans to implement stricter screening processes to ensure only qualified professionals enter the system, while also expanding professional development opportunities for existing teachers as quality education starts with quality teachers. A key highlight of the launch was the unveiling of the Commission’s official website, which leaders described as a “digital gateway” for teachers across the country. The platform will allow teachers to access and download appointment forms, leave forms, policies, circulars, and other important documents online. Minister Feo said that this is expected to significantly reduce the need for teachers, to travel to provincial centers or the national capital for basic administrative services. “For far too long, many teachers have had to spend time and money traveling just to check files or collect forms,” he said noting that this platform brings the Commission directly to the teacher’s doorstep.” He emphasized the importance of digitizing TSC records to improve accountability and eliminate longstanding payroll issues. With major challenges faced over the years including, coordination of teacher attendance, performance monitoring, salary payments, and entitlements, digitizing records and services will ensure that the government can improve payroll accuracy, identify ghost names, reduce waste, and ensure public funds are properly directed to active teachers. Despite the reforms, the Commission acknowledged that significant challenges remain, particularly in infrastructure and funding. Moreover, the Chairman called on Minister Feo to continue advocating for TSC reforms at the Cabinet level to ensure the plans are fully implemented rather than remaining policy documents. In closing, Chairman Ugaia stated that the Marape-Rosso government recognizes the critical role teachers play in national development and is actively working with the Department of Personnel Management to improve teacher remuneration and conditions, with specific funding provisions targeted for the 2027 National Budget. “We face challenges in infrastructure and funding, but with continued government support, these reforms can transform lives in our schools.”

The National Cultural Commission (NCC) and the New Ireland Provincial Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today in Port Moresby – a critical step taken in protecting, promoting, developing and safeguarding New Ireland and Papua New Guinea’s cultural heritage.Speaking during the signing, Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture Belden Namah said provincial governments remain important strategic partners in delivering cultural services and preserving traditions at the community level. “Without strong provincial partnerships, our national cultural policies remain words on paper.” He said New Ireland is home to some of Papua New Guinea’s most significant intangible cultural heritage, particularly the internationally recognised Malagan culture, known for its carvings, masks, ceremonies and oral traditions. “I believe with this memorandum of understanding; we will be able to deliver the outcomes that the people of New Ireland want through the request of the Governor and the Provincial Government.” This Memorandum of Understanding will deliver the following outcomes: Policy Alignment – Align New Ireland Provincial Government and National Cultural Commission policies with national cultural frameworks. Resource Mobilization – The National Cultural Commission will provide support, training and access to the National Cultural Research Fund for New Ireland-based researchers and cultural practitioners. Festival Development – Work together to strengthen and certify New Ireland’s cultural festivals, including the Malagan Festival and Shark Calling Festival, to meet national standards for tourism promotion, cultural authenticity and economic benefit. Infrastructure Support – Support establishment of a New Ireland Cultural Centre and archive to house Malagan artefacts, audio-visual records and documentation. Intellectual Property Protection – Begin registration systems under the Protection of Traditional Knowledge and Expressions of Culture Act 2016 to protect Malagan designs, shark-calling chants and traditional governance systems. “The signing of this memorandum is not merely just a ceremonial thing – it is a commitment of resources, responsibility, and respect from the national level to the provincial level and to the people of New Ireland Province.”

As Papua New Guinea moves toward the 2027 National Elections and deeper digital transformation, artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as both a powerful opportunity and a growing challenge.Specialists at the 2026 PNG Media Summit held recently, highlighted how AI could reshape media, governance, cybersecurity and public information across Papua New Guinea and the Pacific. Advantages of AI in PNG:1. Faster content production across multiple platformsAI allows one piece of verified journalism or government information to be repurposed quickly into multiple formats, including radio scripts, TV segments, social media posts, websites and print. A single journalist’s work can be amplified across platforms. Content can be adapted faster for modern audiences. 2. Multilingual communication PNG is one of the world’s most linguistically diverse countries. With further development, AI can help translate information into multiple local and regional languages. Improves accessibility of public information. Expands reach to rural and linguistically diverse communities. 3. Enhanced research and investigative journalism AI tools can help journalists process large volumes of information, including text, audio and video archives. Benefits include: Faster analysis of interview transcripts, reports and footage. Easier identification of patterns, missing information and story leads. 4. Stronger cybersecurity capabilities AI can be used defensively to detect threats, identify vulnerabilities and strengthen digital systems. Applications include: Automated threat detection. Simulated cyberattacks to test system resilience. Faster incident response. 5. Improved productivity for government and institutions Government agencies can use AI to streamline workflows and improve information delivery. Potential uses: Drafting reports and summaries. Data analysis. Public service chatbots and automated responses. 6. Potential for local knowledge preservation AI offers long-term opportunities to digitize and preserve PNG’s cultural archives, oral histories and traditional knowledge. This could support: Cultural preservation. Education and archival projects. Future PNG-trained AI systems. 7. Lower barriers to digital innovation AI tools reduce costs for startups, creators and organizations. This means: Smaller teams can produce more content. New digital businesses can emerge with fewer resources. Meanwhile, whilst there are advantages of AI in the country, and how it holds a significantly role in reshaping and becoming a powerful opportunity especially in digital transformation, it also holds a number of challenges as well. Disadvantages of AI in PNG 1. Deep fakes and election misinformation Ahead of the 2027 elections, AI-generated fake videos, voices and images pose a major risk. Threats include: Fake government announcements. Manipulated speeches by candidates. Viral disinformation campaigns. This could undermine public trust in institutions and elections. 2. Lack of local AI governance and regulation PNG is still largely a consumer of global AI tools rather than a producer. Challenges include: No fully local AI infrastructure. Limited regulation on AI use and accountability. Dependence on offshore cloud services. 3. Data sovereignty concerns When PNG users input information into foreign AI systems, that data may be processed overseas. Risks: Sensitive government or citizen data leaving the country. Unclear ownership and storage practices. Limited control over how data is reused. 4. Cultural bias and underrepresentation Most global AI systems are trained primarily on Western or large-market datasets. As a result: PNG cultures, languages and contexts are often poorly represented. AI may generate inaccurate or culturally irrelevant outputs. Example concerns: Misrepresentation of Pacific identities. Weak understanding of customary systems or local realities. 5. Easier mass production of misinformation AI allows individuals or small groups to create huge volumes of content quickly. This enables:  Fake news websites. Coordinated social media campaigns. Artificial influencer growth. One bad actor can operate multiple platforms with minimal effort. 6. Skills and infrastructure gaps Building sovereign or semi-sovereign AI systems requires major investment. PNG currently faces constraints in: Data centres. High-performance computing. Technical expertise. Reliable connectivity. Full AI independence would require billions in infrastructure. 7. Risk of over-reliance on automation If organizations rely too heavily on AI-generated outputs without human oversight, errors and biases can spread quickly. Potential issues: Incorrect public information. Reduced editorial quality. Loss of accountability. PNG should focus on practical and responsible AI adoption, including: Developing clear AI governance structures. Creating registers for AI tools used by government.Strengthening data protection laws.Training journalists and public servants in AI literacy. Building local datasets and culturally relevant archives. Using AI to amplify trusted journalism rather than replace it. AI is neither purely a threat nor a solution for PNG. It is a tool that can strengthen work in the digital age, but without safeguards, it could also accelerate misinformation, cyber threats and cultural distortion. For PNG, the challenge is not whether AI will shape the future, but how the country chooses to use it.

Motor Vehicles Insurance Limited (MVIL) and the Central Province Transport Authority (CPTA) officially opened a new customer service facility in Gordons, Port Moresby, to improve vehicle registration and compulsory third-party (CTP) insurance services for motorists in Central Province and the National Capital District.The new office, located at the Rufina Rumana Building, houses both the CPTA office and MVIL’s Gordons Customer Service Centre under one roof. The facility includes a VIP and corporate client area as well as a general customer service counter designed to improve convenience and service delivery for motorists. Speaking during the opening ceremony, MVIL Chief Executive Officer Mr. Bafino Koi thanked CPTA Managing Director Mr. David Jerram for his leadership in delivering the new facility. “On behalf of the MVIL board, management and staff, I would like to acknowledge and thank Mr. David Jerram for his leadership and foresight in bringing about this very good facility for transport users and vehicle owners in Central Province as well as NCD.” He said the partnership between MVIL and CPTA has enabled both organizations to improve customer service delivery through upgraded facilities, improved systems, and stronger collaboration. Under the administrative arrangement between MVIL and the Central Provincial Government, motorists can now access both vehicle registration and CTP insurance services at one location through a coordinated one-stop-shop system. The arrangement also allows motorists to use a single sticker covering both MVIL’s compulsory third-party insurance and the provincial government’s vehicle registration requirements, replacing the need for two separate stickers. The partnership will also improve efficiency in paperwork and processing time while strengthening transparent revenue collection through cashless and online payment systems. The new system will further support the establishment of a single vehicle database management system capturing motor vehicle data across Papua New Guinea for national, provincial and district planning and budgeting purposes. Mr. Koi said MVIL had undertaken major branding and customer service improvements over the past three years under its “Serving Comes First” initiative. “We have state-of-the-art systems and a database that captures vehicle information which can be accessed across provinces.” He added that the Gordons office is now one of MVIL’s premier branded offices after its Vision City branch. Mr. Koi also acknowledged MVIL staff who continued operating from the previous office location despite difficult conditions while waiting for the completion of the new facility. He said the office would become fully operational from Monday, offering convenient services to customers and corporate clients in the Gordons area. CPTA Managing Director Mr. David Jerram welcomed the continued partnership with MVIL, describing it as a relationship that has existed for many years. “We would like to thank MVIL for taking the lead in innovative changes and branding, and we would like to keep in step with that.” He said CPTA remained committed to improving customer service standards and modernizing transport-related services for the public. “This is the first part of the improvement. We hope to improve further in terms of electronic registration and insurance services in collaboration with MVIL, the Road Traffic Authority and other stakeholders.” Mr. Jerram said CPTA would continue working closely with national authorities and partners to ensure registration and insurance services are efficiently delivered to motorists throughout Central Province and NCD.

Papua New Guinea should introduce stronger oversight of artificial intelligence tools used across government agencies, as concerns grow over data privacy, accountability and the offshore processing of sensitive information.Speaking during a panel discussion at the PNG Media Summit 2026, Steven Matainaho, Secretary for the PNG Department of Information and Communications Technology, said governments and institutions using AI systems must understand what data is being entered into external platforms and how that information is handled. “We did propose that government maintains a register of all models being used, not only models but all AI tools being used.” He said one of the major risks for governments and organizations adopting AI tools such as ChatGPT is data governance, particularly when sensitive or citizen-related information is uploaded into cloud-based systems hosted offshore. “When you’re pushing data into ChatGPT, whose data are you pushing in? And where is that data now being processed? Somewhere offshore, because we are consumers of it. We don’t have our own models in-country.” Matainaho said many users are unaware that some AI platforms offer settings allowing user inputs to be used to improve models, potentially incorporating uploaded information into broader machine learning systems. He said this makes it critical for government agencies, media organizations and private institutions to ensure they have legal rights to use the information they input into AI systems and understand how those systems process and retain data. “You’ve got to be responsible for making sure that you have the rights to use that information, and then you’ve got to ensure that the protection of citizen rights is in place.” Matainaho said PNG’s proposed AI adoption framework currently focuses heavily on protecting data that enters AI models, while broader sovereign AI ambitions remain a longer-term strategy. He noted that full AI sovereignty would require Papua New Guinea to control the entire AI value chain, including local data centres, compute power, undersea cable connectivity, technical expertise and model development capabilities. “That’s already going into billions.” For now, Matainaho said most countries, including PNG, are likely to remain users of AI systems developed overseas while implementing protective measures around their use. The discussion comes as governments, media organizations and businesses across the Pacific increasingly explore AI tools for productivity, research and information dissemination, while grappling with concerns around privacy, misinformation and digital sovereignty.

Papua New Guinea is embracing a new digital era, with major developments in satellite internet, AI, and government technology highlighted at the recent PNG Media Summit 2026.Secretary for ICT, Steven Matainaho, announced that the Starlink license was already issued by NICTA. Terminals can provide connectivity to rural villages and complement existing telecom networks, improving safety and access in remote areas. Matainaho also outlined advances in digital public infrastructure (DPI). Citizens can now obtain a digital ID in five minutes via the Service Wallet app, using biometric verification. The system integrates AI to streamline service delivery while maintaining human oversight. On the media front, Matainaho stressed the ethical use of AI in newsrooms. “Do not use AI to produce more noise; use it to defend trust.” AI can assist with transcription, translation, summarization, and verifying rumors, but local journalists retain editorial control. With the 2027 elections approaching, he emphasized rapid factchecking and information integrity, urging newsrooms to combine AI with trusted local knowledge.

Michael Hseah, Non-Resident Fellow at Stanford University’s Center for International Security and Cooperation, recently spoke at the Media Summit 2026, at Crown Hotel, Port Moresby stressing the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on journalism and media.Hseah opened his address by drawing a historical parallel, comparing the ongoing AI revolution to the Industrial Revolution 250 years ago. “The Industrial Revolution made things by hand almost costless. The AI revolution is doing the same for things made by the mind, art, music, literature, filmmaking, software. The cost of production is approaching zero.” Hseah stressed that this shift is particularly weighty for journalism, where the cost of producing words, images, and video content is rapidly falling. His presentation also included a demonstration on the challenge of detecting fake content. Hseah presented a series of images to the audience, asking them to identify which were real or fake. In a surprising twist, he revealed that all of the images were fabricated, illustrating how easily even experienced observers could be misled. He used this example to emphasize the importance of vigilance and critical thinking in journalism. Hseah also addressed opportunities AI presents for media organizations. Highlighting tools such as Google Pinpoint, he explained how AI can sift through massive datasets, analyze video and photographic content, and assist journalists in uncovering critical information. He emphasized that such tools are increasingly available at low or no cost, potentially empowering journalists to report more efficiently and effectively. Beyond tools, Hseah discussed the business side of journalism. Drawing parallels with streaming platforms like Netflix, he noted that AI-driven content recommendation systems dramatically increase engagement, suggesting similar strategies could help journalistic organizations retain and expand audiences. “Engagement is key. AI can help newsrooms deliver content that resonates with readers while maintaining journalistic integrity.” Hseah concluded with a call for both vigilance and curiosity: by questioning what we know and using AI responsibly, journalists can navigate the opportunities and challenges of the AI era while preserving credibility and authenticity.