The Rot within the National Broadcasting Corporation

by IAN S JOHNS
The National Broadcasting Corporation(NBC) has been an iconic institution ever since the pre-independence era. It is the largest media organization in PNG. This organization has provided vital news and information through its broadcast to the general population such as Government policies, the school program broadcast, current affairs, sporting news, health information, entertainment, weather reports and much more. The population of this country has been kept abreast with vital information from NBC over the last 40 years.

This once prime media organization has seen its demise in the last decade since the exit of MD Dr. Ninkama. Successive management has further pushed this organization deeper into oblivion.

The current management had its acting Managing Director is confirmed by the cabinet to the position for a period of 3 years, the MD and his new batch of senior management inclusive of the Board were seen as the savior of this organization. However, this is only a distant dream that will never eventuate.

Let us scrutinize some of the chronic discrepancies within the Organization.
The NBC Board of Directors would be the only board within all State Authorities where the organization provides a fulltime vehicle for the Chairman and the Board Secretary. The Board Secretary apart from being provided a vehicle also goes to occupy an office space within the NBC office at 5 mile, he comes to his office every working day just like any other staff of NBC, it does not end there, the Board Secretary also has 2 fulltime casual staff working for him.

Prior to the current management, the former was responsible for the rebranding of this institution, notable was the change of iconic NBC Kundu logo. This exercise had the service of 2 Australian consultants. The engagements of consultants are governed by provisions of the Public Finances (Management) Act and the Consultancy Steering Committee(CSC) established under the Regulations of that Act of which Secretary of Department of Personnel Management is the Chairman.

The CSC has the sole discretion to engage or not to engage consultants under this Act and there is no provision in the Act to devolve these powers. However, it was noted that these consultants were engaged directly by NBC outside of set rules and procedures for the engagement of consultants. A consultant should have a fixed engagement period with specific terms of reference to work on and deliver. These consultants have an open contract. The irony about these consultants is that both do not introduce any new concepts into the organization to complement their rebranding, rather both normally seek the institutional experience and expertise from NBC officers for guidance.

The Kundu 2 Television lately had its name changed to NBC TV, the host of the daily evening news at 6pm, Ms. Antonia Singut and the weather reporter Ms. Lizzie MacArthur are not employees of NBC, both only do the news and the weather report every evening, however, the news host is at an exorbitant salary unmatched by the hard working full time journalists who does the news hunting and write-ups. NBC TV has better-trained journalist that can deliver but are underutilized by the management.

The position vacancies that arise within the Headquarter or the Provincial Radio stations seldom get to be advertised publicly. Currently, there are many vacant positions in the headquarter. The norm of the Public Service is to advertise internally to recruit the most suitable officer(s) to fill in or other than that it can be advertised externally. The current management does not in any one way advertise neither internally or externally, all it does is "hand-picked replacement". Currently, some of the very senior positions within the organization are occupied by officers with far lesser experience. Furthermore, there are officers acting in more than one positions. Within the Public Service, an acting position must be two steps above your substantive position. However, in this organization you have some officers acting over 4 steps above their substantive position. These unfair acting appointments have resulted in the exodus of some of the very experienced officers recently. Unfortunately, the management does not so much value the experiences and dedication these officers contribute to NBC.

NBC would be the only Government institution where the employees are unsure whether their salaries will be paid on time. The management keeps shifting blame to Treasury and Finance Departments. All other Government Departments have their payroll centralized and managed by the Alesco Pay system whereas NBC and other state Authorities have their own payroll system. Allocations for wages and Salaries, including Overtimes are normally calculated for a year and transferred to relevant vote where salaries can be deduced fortnightly from.

The institutional accommodation provided for the staff are in appalling conditions, the journalist does not have a fixed 8- 4 job, some journalist live in the settlements as limited housing provided are not distributed accordingly. There is no fair distribution of flats/houses once it becomes available either through transfer, termination or resignation. The incumbent MD hand picks whoever he prefers for occupancy. Least of all, all institutional houses are in total disrepair and are above all a health risk, let alone the risk of electrical fires. NBC flats at Tanatana Street 5 mile Boroko is one such example. Recently, through a complaint from neighbors about sewerage leakage, NCDC health Authorities condemned this residential property and an eviction notice was served on NBC and the residents to vacate effective immediately.
[ Part 2 of this will continue...)