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Recent failed fads - labs, blockchain, cash transfer. Previous fads - a laptop for every child, tablets for remote health workers, tele-medicine, RCTs - remember those? Many fads rely on technology for which the underlying infrastructure does not exist or institutions to be created in countries with pre-existing institutional deficiencies. But they tick boxes for Development Partners and the Pacific is "pilot project" central for every cooky "innovation" good or bad in development. Long term institutional strengthening and building the underlying human and physical capital needed for development long term fell out of fashion decades ago.

Interesting, one issue is the lack of clarification of what constitutes an NGO. In the past they were synonymous with charity. In the Pacific most I-NGO's are now primarily managing contractors for Development Partners - so essentially not for profit private entities. However, most I-NGOs still see themselves as charities - so you will here them say things like "their role is to advocate" but you cannot be a genuine advocacy agency if your income source defines what you do and you are paid to deliver a certain output. So, here the sceptics have a point. Then their are local NGO's who in the Pacific often are more like charities but so small in scale they could never meet the fiduciary requirements of almost any authority. So the mere term NGO is quite problematic. In the Pacific I-NGO's are technically not for profit private companies and local NGOs are more like charities. If seen in this light then the arguments for who to give private charitable donations to and the risks involved become a lot clearer. Then to add confusion there are churches - who act like charities but fall under a different set of regulations again. This also does not cover the plethora of CSO's especially state funded CSO's that we see in Asia and Africa who also often come with "interesting non developmental" agenda. However, any attempt to actually clarify and define this - no matter how genuine - is often met my cries of "Government interference" which is why it remains such a murky space to the detriment of everybody in the development industry. The regulation of charities, churches and not for profits in the Pacific still relies on legislation drafted in the 70's that has not been updated to meet the requirements of the twenty first century.

Great tribute to a great man. Angel had a wonderful sense of humour and was always so warm to work with. He was so good to me when I was just starting out in Port Moresby. Vale.

I think this is plausible and the self-reported nature was my first thought. But the little evidence I could find after a brief look around suggests the opposite: more educated women being less likely to report for a given level of prevalence, suggesting these differences may be more likely to be attenuated than overestimated. Check out this very interesting write-up of an interesting approach used in Peru: https://blogs.iadb.org/ideas-matter/en/can-domestic-violence-be-accurately-measured/ Relatedly, this study documents the same effect implicit in Kingtau's blog except holding attitudes, which I would expect to be a mediator of reporting, and other things constant, and education shifting as good as randomly to help isolate its effect. https://www.jstor.org/stable/26528370

Thanks Kate for bringing this up. DHS survey collects data on all types of spousal violence; physical, sexual and emotional violence. The blog only use physical and sexual violence as both educated and uneducated women are more likely to recognise and report them.

Interesting analysis, but a possible counter argument: Women with higher levels of education are more aware of what intimate partner violence looks like and that is something that should be eradicated, therefore they are more likely to recognise it, recognise they have experienced it, and acknowledge it when asked. They may also feel braver/more socially confident to express that they have experienced it, compared to women with lower levels of education who may think that IPV is something 'normal'.

Hi Mohinesh, as Evie Sharman says below, applications for the ballot will be able to be lodged online with the Department of Home Affairs from July 2023. You can follow this page for more information: https://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/pacific/people-connections/people-connections-in-the-pacific/pacific-engagement-visa

A very sound analysis of what the author is writing in the context of everyday living and interactions. On a more related reason, the introduction of mobile phones and internet has vastly increased external relationships, which also raises suspicions which in turn contributes to spousal abuse. It would be interesting to collate data regarding this factor to further analyse and comment. Thank you for this research insight on the subject.

How and when can we apply for this?

Scott Waide and others have good reason to be concerned if PNG’s draft media act will replace media self-regulation with government regulation. Fiji underwent the same process in June 2010 and our analysis of the Fiji Media Act that we launched earlier this month, is indicative of the disaster that it was for media rights in Fiji, with potential lessons for PNG. The report published by Dialogue Fiji was co-authored by Nilesh Lal, with a section by the deputy chief in the Arizona attorney general’s office Dan Barr. The report can be found here: https://www.dialoguefiji.org/publications-1

My sincere thanks to Scott Waide for writing this piece. It is valuable that a respected journalist in Papua New Guinea is explaining this issue and bringing it to the attention of a wide audience. My thanks to the editors of the Devpolicy blog for publishing this timely piece. I acknowledge that the department secretary, Mr Steven Matainaho, has written a response. The secretary writes that the department is “completely open to open dialogue”. I feel it is imperative to state that the short consultation period is one of the causes of alarm for some, including me. It does not give the impression that the department is open to engagement regarding this draft policy. The initial press statement was dated 6 February and indicated that submissions would close on 17 February. As I said to journalist Salome Vincent for her story at the following link, this initial eleven-day-long consultation period made me wonder if the desire for consultation was genuine: https://www.looppng.com/png-news/media-central-functioning-democracy-117704 As I understand it, in response to a request from the Media Council of PNG, the minister has extended the consultation period. However, it has only been extended by another week. I must admit that I was surprised by the short length of the extension. There are a number of issues and proposed strategies in the draft policy. Even with the extra week, it seems to me to be a short consultation period. For those unfamiliar with the Papua New Guinea media sector, I describe it in a book chapter at the following link: https://press.anu.edu.au/publications/series/pacific/papua-new-guinea-government-economy-society Pages 227-230 of chapter 8 describe the media landscape, while there’s a section on media freedom in Papua New Guinea on pages 231-234. Amanda

I find it very sad that various media outlets are misconstruing the intent of the Draft National Media Development Policy (draft Policy). The draft Policy in its current version, has NO intent and does not indicate in any shape or form that powers will be given to the Government to control the media. The draft Policy indicates NO intent to infringe on the constitutional rights of freedom of expression. The draft Policy instead intends to inform for a legislative framework to strengthen the work of the PNG Media Council. The draft Policy will enable for structural and budget reforms necessary to fund development programs to the PNG Media Council and Universities to train journalist, media specialists, etc... The draft Policy will enable the PNG Media Council to effectively promote the professions within the Media Industry. There are many things the draft Policy will unlock including ensuring improved conditions surrounding the media profession. Most importantly, we must ensure that through solid policy and legislation, the PNG Media Council will continue to operate independently of Government as is the case with many other professions such as the law profession (PNG Law Society), Medical Profession, and Engineering Profession (institute of engineers). All these other professions have government policy and law to govern their profession in a manner that is free from 'Government Control'. The Department of ICT has taken note of concerns of the Community Coalition of Corruption through its press statement dated 16th February 2023 particularly of certain functions proposed to be established in the Department of ICT and we will ensure the next draft released addresses the concern. This is the kind of feedback we must hear and we are completely open to open dialogue. The draft National Media Development Policy is currently in draft and has been released for consultation on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pngdict” rel="nofollow ugc">PNG Department of Information and Communications Technology</a> website. Steven Matainaho Secretary (Head of Department) Office of the Secretary | PNG Department of Information and Communications Technology