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Communications in Papua New Guinea refers to the media in the country which are regulated by the Media Council of Papua New Guinea such as newspapers, radio, television, and the Internet.

Newspapers

Papua New Guinea has two circulating newspapers:

  • The National, and the
  • Papua New Guinea Post-Courier.

Radio

Radio broadcasting in Papua New Guinea was launched on 25 October 1935 by the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC). It was replaced by the National Broadcasting Commission which was formed under the Broadcasting Commission Act of 1973 (authority of Parliament). The commission was renamed as the National Broadcasting Corporation in 1994:

  • The state-run National Broadcasting Corporation operates three radio networks with multiple repeaters and about 20 provincial stations (2009). 63,000 main lines in use (2005).
  • Mobile lines: 2.7 million lines, 134th in the world (2012);
  • Internet users: 145,256 users, 163 in the world; 2.3% of the population, 198th in the world (2012).
  • Fixed broadband: 8,077 subscriptions, 153rd in the world; 0.1% of the population, 164th in the world (2012).
  • Mobile broadband: unknown (2012).
  • Internet hosts: 5,006 hosts, 145th in the world (2012).
  • IPv4: 49,920 addresses allocated, 7.9 per 1000 people.
  • Internet service providers: Four in 2004, up from two in 1999.

Censorship

There are no government restrictions on access to the Internet or credible reports that the government monitors e-mail or Internet chat rooms without judicial oversight. Individuals and groups engage in the expression of views via the Internet, including by e-mail.

The constitution provides for freedom of speech and press, and the government generally respects these rights in practice. Newspapers offer a variety of editorial viewpoints and report on controversial topics. There is no evidence of officially sanctioned government censorship, although newspaper editors complained of intimidation tactics aimed at influencing coverage. There were some examples of police officers targeting journalists who negatively covered police activities. Although the constitution prohibits arbitrary interference with privacy, family, home, or correspondence, there are instances of abuse.