Northern Governor Gary Juffa has called on the national government to urgently address outdated laws preventing Papua New Guinean youth from earning income through social media platforms.
Speaking during Question Time in Parliament, Mr Juffa raised concern that while YouTube is monetized in the country, other major platforms such as Facebook and TikTok are not. He said many young Papua New Guineans are actively producing online content but are unable to benefit financially due to the absence of enabling laws and policies.
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| PNG Youths Miss Out on Social Media Earnings, Says Juffa |
“We have young people creating high-quality content that showcases PNG’s culture, tourism and natural beauty. Yet, they cannot earn from their efforts because of legal barriers,” Juffa said.
He warned that international content creators were visiting Papua New Guinea, monetizing local content, while nationals were left behind. He urged the government to provide clear mechanisms to support local creators.
Juffa asked Acting Minister for ICT, Peter Tsiamalili Jr., whether the Marape-Rosso Government had plans to support the monetization of digital content by locals.
In response, Minister Tsiamalili acknowledged the challenge and emphasized a whole-of-government strategy. He cited four focus areas: cybersecurity, data protection, cybercrime enforcement, and secure payment systems.
“The government is committed to creating a safe and legal environment so that Papua New Guineans can benefit from digital platforms such as Facebook,” he said.
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