Papua New Guinea: NBC Enga Levels Up its Disaster Reporting
In 2024, a devastating landslide in Mulitaka, Enga Province, claimed nearly 200 lives and severed access to the Porgera Gold Mine. NBC Enga, one of 22 provincial stations of the National Broadcasting Corporation of Papua New Guinea, was the first media outlet on the ground. After being alerted by relatives of a staff member on the station, Lesley Kili, Director of NBC Enga, recalls,
We reported the disaster the next morning, and it was picked up by national and international news organisations. As a result, humanitarian assistance flooded in.
Lesley Kili
This rapid response demonstrated the power of local media to amplify community voices and mobilise aid. Yet, the experience also revealed critical gaps. NBC Enga lacked portable equipment and relied on mobile phones and bulky cameras to document the crisis. Coordination with provincial authorities was limited, and the station often learned of disasters only after delays. Kili notes that “relevant authorities within the province do not work closely with media.”
UNESCO’s support is helping NBC Enga move toward institutional preparedness. While the station is in the process of developing its DPRP, the experience of the Mulitaka landslide has underscored the need for a uniform emergency plan across all 22 provincial stations. Kili believes that such a plan, tailored to local contexts, would allow stations to respond more effectively and consistently. “It is very important to work with local community members and their leaders,” he says, reflecting on the cultural sensitivity that made NBC Enga’s coverage impactful and relevant.
Samoa: Radio 2AP and TV9 Reinforce Their Mandate
In Samoa, Radio 2AP and TV9 carry a unique mandate as the country’s oldest public broadcasters. Radio 2AP was established to provide emergency coverage during disasters and remains one of the most trusted sources of information.
As one of the mandated essential services, we broadcast 24/7 in times of emergency. Our broadcasts are delivered in Samoan and are deemed the most reliable and popular source of information.
Victoria LepouAssistant Chief Executive Officer
During cyclones and floods, announcers camp at the station for days to ensure uninterrupted service. Coordination with the Samoa Meteorological Office and the National Emergency Operations Centre is strong, but the station’s main site is vulnerable to flooding, and there is no fully equipped backup facility. Lepou explains that they have not managed to equip their evacuation site and cannot provide mobile outside broadcasts in affected areas due to safety and connectivity issues.
The development of a DPRP is underway, with a focus on technical assistance for emergency broadcasting, training for staff, and equipping a mobile vehicle with Starlink and live broadcast equipment. Lepou sees regional collaboration as a key asset: “We appreciate regional cooperation in broadcasting, whereby the experiences and skills of other broadcasters can be shared.”
The broadcaster is also reviewing its Standard Operating Procedures and integrating national disaster protocols into its operations. Lepou emphasises the need for a proper plan rather than ad hoc arrangements, emphasising that fact-checking of weather updates and impacted communities must be observed.
READ MORE: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/building-media-resilience-pacific-sids-case-studies-papua-new-guinea-samoa-and-vanuatu?hub=701
