GREAT MEDIA COVERAGE ON SIR MICHAEL'S LAST EVENTS

As the casket of the late Great Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas Somare was laid to rest and the 'Last Post' echoed on televisions around Papua New Guinea, on social media platforms (LIVE stream) like Facebook, it showed the media especially the television networks coming together in the last two weeks to give everyone who would have attended but could not attend events leading up to Sir Michael's burial, a front row seat to the events.

Led by the National Broadcasting Corporation Television (NBCTV) which Sir Michael as Prime Minister, gifted to the people of PNG back in 2008 (formerly Kundu2 TV), who teamed up with the longest serving television station EMTV and the newest, TV Wan owned by Digicel Company. I don't know how they all reached an agreement but what I know is they did a darn good job with the LIVE coverage.

BUSINESS AGENDAS ASIDE

When it comes to broadcast rights these heavy weights flex their muscles and money. From Rugby League's Digicel Cup to Australia's National Rugby League, from the National Soccer League to the PNG Games and the South Pacific Games and many other events.

But rightly so and deservedly so they put aside their business agendas to give Papua New Guinean's around the country and abroad a front row seat. 

EMTV had their sister radio station and PNG's leading Talkback radio FM100 air the events live as well as NBC Radio. FM100 with their phone app got listeners from around the world tuning in. 

It gave me goosebumps just thinking about how Sir Michael was a broadcaster prior to Independence and how he reached many parts of Papua and New Guinea through radio. Imagine if we had applications and mobile phones back then, imagine how all the events would have happened. 

So much to try and grasp on how he united two Australian territories to become a self governing body and then into becoming a State using just radio.

THE AVERAGE COMMENTARIES

To be honest, for me it was great to see the great John Eggins back on air leading EMTV's coverage. He started a bit slow but when he got into the swing of things it was great to watch and listen. Not so much could be said for his co-host, who to me really found things to talk about. 

NBC TV was okay to say the least. The female did not allow her male co-host talking space, it was a difficult place for the poor guy. And they had different hosts at different times and events. Didn't understand why one of the hosts spoke in pure English and the other in pure Tok Pisin.

TV Wan was much the same with NBC TV. I got bored listening to the hosts and guests trying to guess what was happening.

But the radio coverage was a 10/10 for me. NBC and FM100 did justice to their TV brothers. Well done Radio!

MEDIA WINS REGARDLESS 

Apart from my observations, the media especially the televisions as I have mentioned earlier did an outstanding job. I take my hats off to you all for supporting each other, working together and accomplishing what maybe a big event in the country's history. As John Eggins rightly stated, "Let's all appreciate this, as this might not ever happen again in our country's history".

It was very good to hear TV Wan acknowledge that "We thank NBCTV for the coverage which we are airing for you today". And EMTV saying "We thank NBC TV for the coverage which aired by EMTV and TV for you all to see." And NBC TV acknowledging that their Live feed is relayed on EMTV and TV Wan.

I was glued to my TV, switching from channel to channel just trying to pick up important and interesting commentary from the hosts and guests on each station. 

I was also called by FM100 to share my few experiences with the Great Man Sir Michael. It was an honor to do that and I was humbled when I was asked to share my story. (Story in last blog post)

GOOD BYE GREAT GRAND CHIEF

In the last two weeks after Sir Michael passed away, I have learnt so much of him and his life than i ever did in my history classes. There would be a hundred books written about him and still there will be more and more stories.

I have learnt of his journey from being born, to school, to work life, to being a Chief Minister to being the Prime Minister. And all that until his passing, his journey from the funeral home to Parliament in a casket draped by the PNG Flag. From the funeral home to the Sir Hubert Murray Stadium and from the funeral home to the Jackson's Airport. From Jackson's to Boram Airport to the Sir Michael Somare Stadium. From their to their house at NBC, then to the Provincial Assembly then to Kreer Heights when he now rests.

A journey of a thousand books. As the 'Last Post' played th whole country wept and shed a tear. There was silence around the country, as the PNG Flag was removed from the casket and handed over to Lady Veronica Somare.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you" were the last words before the PNGDF representative saluted the mother of our nation. 

"WHAT NOW PNG?" I asked myself with tears running down my face. Rest easy now Great Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas Somare. "Thank you, thank you, thank you, I salute you!".