The Media Council of Papua New Guinea (MCPNG) is proud to announce that the 2nd PNG Media Summit 2026 has been elevated to a major Pacific regional event.
Organised by Women in Media PNG (WiMPNG), this milestone summit will convene regional leaders, international keynotes, and industry giants in Port Moresby on Friday, 01 May 2026, in commemoration of World Press Freedom Day which falls on Sunday, 03 May.
PNG Media will be leading World Press Freedom Day celebrations across the Pacific region following a request from the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA).
PINA President and Veteran Pacific Journalist, Kalafi Moala leads the two major Keynote speeches for the summit, before the second keynote address from American AI and Cybersecurity Expert Michael Hsieh who will speak on ‘How AI is changing the credibility and authenticity in Journalism’.
As PNG takes the leading role in Media Freedom and Development, a strong focus on AI-generative content in the frame of next year’s National General Elections will speak to the PNG Media’s focus in the lead up to and during NGE2027.
PINA – “This important regional gathering comes at a time when media in PNG and across the Pacific continues to navigate rapid change, digital transformation, and evolving public expectations. The Summit theme, ‘’Press Freedom through Human Rights, Security and Innovation’ aligns strongly with PINA’s own strategic priorities, particularly in strengthening professional journalism, supporting media resilience, and promoting press freedom across the region.
PINA also notes that Moala will be one of two international speakers at the Summit, reflecting the growing regional and international importance of Papua New Guinea’s media development discussions.
“PINA recognises and commends the efforts of the Media Council of Papua New Guinea in engaging constructively with the Government to strengthen media standards and foster a more conducive environment for journalists to operate, report freely, and uphold fairness.
“We further acknowledge the Media Council of Papua New Guinea’s leadership in supporting dialogue between media stakeholders and government, which is essential in building trust, professionalism, and a strong democratic information environment.
“PINA looks forward to participating in this important summit and also acknowledges its members who will be joining online to mark World Press Freedom Day 2026 celebrations alongside colleagues in Papua New Guinea. We extend our appreciation to the Media Council of PNG for hosting this significant regional observance.”
A central highlight of the summit will be a dedicated session on the Parliamentary Inquiry Report into Journalism Standards and Integrity, which was tabled in Parliament on 24 March 2026, by the Chairman of the Special Parliamentary Committee on Communications, Marsh Narewec.
The report includes 40 key recommendations which are expected to transform the PNG media sector.
MCPNG President, Neville Choi, emphasised that the summit is also a vital intervention as the country prepares for the 2027 National General Elections (NGE2027).
“We must equip our practitioners with the tools for innovation and the security to report without fear,” Choi stated, noting that a key focus will be building AI capacity and strengthening fact-checking to combat misinformation.
The summit features a prestigious lineup of speakers and regional organisations, including presentations be delivered by experts from the United States and senior management from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).
Key local National stakeholders, including DICT Secretary Steven Matainaho and the PNG Business Council, have also confirmed their participation.
New innovative sessions will feature opportunities to hear from each of our mainstream media members across Print, Television, Radio and Online. They will speak about the work they do, and why journalism still matters.
Media and Journalism Training Institutions will provide important updates, before the summit ends with a final plenary to discuss future media and industry forecasts, both domestically, and in region-wide; and an exchange and engagement with a panel of PNG social media content creators.
Registration for the PNG Media Summit is now officially open.
Media professionals (both mainstream and freelancers), academics, and stakeholders are invited to register by scanning the official QR code on summit posters or by visiting MCPNG digital channels.
