In a milestone achievement for the media industry, the president of the Media Council Papua New Guinea (MCPNG) Mr. Neville Choi has been elected as President of the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA).

Speaking to the Fijian media following the 8th Pacific Media Summit in Savusavu in Fiji this week, Mr. Choi expressed his gratitude for the confidence the PINA members had in him becoming President, and also underscored challenges the pacific media need to work together to address going forward under his leadership.

He said there has to be more collaboration in the media in the pacific.

“The Pacific needs to move forward collectively, and especially the media community in the pacific need to be a lot more united in everything you want to do,” said Mr. Choi.

“I think there needs to be more inclusivity in bringing more of our membership, especially amongst the islands. Bring them into the fold so we can all move together and develop and grow at the same time.”

He added that challenges to the media in the region can be achieved through good collaboration.

“There are also challenges that each of our small island media are facing and I think the key is finding the solution to these challenges.”

Underscoring the importance of correct and accurate information, he said fact checking and verification is what needs to be instilled more and developed, especially with the arrival of new technologies across the pacific islands.

“I think it’s going to be the key focus and lead up to the next PINA summit in 2028 in PNG,” he stated.