Prime Minister Hon. James Marape extends heartfelt congratulations to the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) on achieving 50 years of distinguished public service to Papua New Guinea since its inception on December 1, 1973.
Speaking on the momentous occasion of NBC’s 50th anniversary celebration, Prime Minister Marape emphasised the historical significance of this milestone, rooted in a transformative era that paved the way for Papua New Guinea’s independence in 1975.
As NBC celebrates its golden jubilee, the Prime Minister extends best wishes for continued success and unwavering commitment to serving the people of Papua New Guinea.
“This is a momentous milestone for both NBC and PNG since December 1, 1973, a time of great change and unity leading up to independence in 1975,” Prime Minister Marape remarked.
“I urge NBC, on its 50th birthday, to leverage this occasion to inform and educate the general population, with a particular emphasis on the younger generation, to appreciate the significance of this date and the spirit of unity that prevailed during that crucial time.”
NBC was established through the enactment of the Broadcast Service Act by the then House of Assembly in 1973, playing a pivotal role in the pre-independence, self-governing period that prepared and united diverse tribes for political independence on September 16, 1975.
“Before December 1, 1973, two radio services operated in the country, namely the ABC 9PA service in Port Moresby and 9RB in Rabaul, East New Britain Province,” Prime Minister Marape said.
“On December 1, 1973, the ABC and GBS were amalgamated into NBC, with the ABC 9PA Port Moresby becoming Karai Sevis (NBC National Radio) and the GBS becoming the Kundu Sevis (NBC Provincial Radio). The Government Broadcast Service (GBS) was operated under the Department of Information & Extension Services (DIES), with district radio stations including Radio Sepik, Radio Gulf, Radio Morobe, among others.”
Prime Minister Marape highlighted the introduction of NBC Television in 2008 by the late Prime Minister Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, named Kundu2 Television. Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, along with numerous other notable Papua New Guineans, was profoundly shaped by NBC and contributed significantly to the nation’s early post-independence growth and development.
“It is fitting to recognise and accredit this iconic national institution for playing a significant role in uniting a very diverse people into accepting self-government in 1973 and independence in 1975,” Prime Minister Marape said.
Quoting the late Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, who stated in 2013 that PNG was able to attain independence ‘through the power of the microphone,’ Prime Minister Marape commended NBC for covering numerous events of national significance, including comprehensive coverage of national general elections, Parliamentary proceedings, the Bougainville and Sandline crises, the Aitape tsunami, Pacific Games, and many more.