PNG ICT Minister honored with Lifetime Achievement award, dedicates recognition to Pacific media workers

Papua New Guinea’s Minister for Information and Communications Technology, Timothy Masiu has received a prestigious lifetime achievement award from the Asia Institute for Broadcasting Development [AIBD], recognising his years of service and advocacy for media development in the Pacific region

The award was presented during the 20th Asia Media Summit in Siem Reap, Cambodia, on Tuesday evening. While Minister Masiu was unable to attend in person, the award was accepted on his behalf by Kora Nou, Managing Director of the National Broadcasting Corporation [NBC].

In a statement from Cairns, Australia, Minister Masiu expressed humility and gratitude for the honour, dedicating the award to media professionals across Papua New Guinea and the Pacific.

“I am quite humbled for this regional recognition by the AIBD and acknowledge our good Lord for his continued provision of knowledge and wisdom in our leadership roles,” Masiu said.

“I dedicate it to the many media practitioners in PNG and the Pacific Region for their dedication and commitment to improving the media landscape from where they operate.”

As AIBD’s Special Envoy to the Pacific, Masiu has been a vocal advocate for increased representation of Pacific voices in the global media landscape. He emphasised the importance of distinguishing the Pacific from the broader "Asia-Pacific" grouping.

“The Pacific is a bigger region with its own unique media challenges and needs and must have its own voice. We just cannot continue to be grouped into the ‘Asia-Pacific’ grouping in this day and age. We need to be heard and taken seriously,” he said.

Masiu has worked closely with AIBD and other regional organisations to promote capacity building and training opportunities for Pacific media workers. His leadership also led to the establishment of the Pacific ICT Ministers’ Dialogue and the landmark Lakatoi Declaration in 2023 under the theme “Smart Pacific – One Voice; Creating a Digital Future Together.”

He also paid tribute to the PNG Government for its trust in him, as well as the support of the Department of ICT, NBC, and NICTA in championing regional media collaboration.

The AIBD award cited Masiu’s long-standing patronage and efforts in raising the institute’s profile in the Pacific, including advocacy for a standalone AIBD office in the region.

“This award is also for our Government, my department, and our wider media family in PNG and the Pacific. It now gives you increased access to the many training opportunities through such regional engagements,” Masiu said.