The New Dawn FM broadcasting team in Bougainville. Photo: New Dawn

Pacific.Scoop
By Fabian Hakalits in Buka

Bougainville’s locally owned pioneering radio station New Dawn FM has become the first media organisation in the Pacific to win the global Communications and Social Change award – and the autonomous government now plans to fund a second station in Arawa.

New Dawn won the 2009 award from the University of Queensland’s Centre for Communication and Social Change ahead of organisations nominated from 14 other countries.

They were Bangladesh, Burundi, Canada, Congo, Fiji, India, New Zealand, Nigeria, Philippines, Rwanda, Sierra, Leone, Uganda and the United States.

Managing director and owner Aloysius Laukai was in Brisbane last week to receive the CSC award from the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Greenfield, and present a story on the sinking of the Carteret’s atolls of Bougainville.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Greenfield (from left), Associate Professor Martin Hadlow and New Dawn's Alyosius Laukai at the University of Queensland award ceremony in Brisbane. Photo: UQ

The 2009 CSC award citation was given in recognition of the pioneering work by the radio station to help restore freedom of expression and promote the reconciliation process by giving a voice to local communities following the 10-year Bougainville conflict.

The CSC award jury considered the challenges the founders of New Dawn FM have faced in establishing this radio under difficult circumstances with few resources.

On his arrival from Australia last week, Laukai received VIP treatment from the Bougainville autonomous government members, the Bougainville administration, business houses and the public.

New Dawn has raised Bougainville’s flag on the world map and for this the ABG has made a commitment to fund and help set up its second radio station at Arawa in Central Bougainville.

“Since Bougainville is on its road to autonomy we have to create and develop ourselves and work for autonomy. The main focus is to try and change the attitude of the people by informing them about Bougainville’s journey towards referendum,” Laukai said.

“We must not ask what Bougainville will do for us but we must ask what I shall do for Bougainville! We have to become self-reliant and build our Bougainville because achieving a referendum depends on us.”

Laukai said New Dawn FM would continue to promote peace and reconciliation on the island through radio broadcasting to the local communities and promoting ABG’s dream to achieve independence.

“New Dawn’s dream is to reach to every community in Bougainville and we are open for anyone to come and express his or her views,” he said.

“Whether it is positive or negative this will help to strengthen the capacity in building up Bougainville.”

He said the radio station operated with the theme “strengthening Bougainville autonomy through radio broadcasting and providing information to create community development”.

Source: 6501 Pacific Media Watch
Original url

Bougainville community radio wins UQ award

New Dawn Radio FM95.3