Dede Sophie

The Papua New Guinea  Department of Information Communication Technology (DICT) has released a first draft of the National Media Development Policy for consultation.  The purpose of the proposed National Media Development Policy is to outline objectives and strategies for the use of media as a tool for development, such as the promotion of democracy, good governance, human rights, and social and economic development.   Minister for ICT Hon Masiu has stated that ‘it is important for the government and media organisations to work together to harness the potential of media to support development initiatives and promote a more sustainable and equitable world’  ‘The proposed policy is designed to conform to international norms and standards on freedom of expression, press freedom, and the protection of journalists, and should be designed to balance these rights with the need to protect the rights of others, such as privacy, security, and public order’ The draft Policy proposes a wide range

LOOKING FOR RARE AND UNUSUAL SEEDS? THEN CLICK HERE FOR THE ‘SEEDS OF EADEN’ SEED SHOP The night-scented stock – Matthiola longipetala is a hardy, bushy annual primarily grown for its ornamental blooms and fragrant, evening scent. Native to the combined continental landmass of Europe and Asia, it is is low-growing and highly branched in habit with long narrow, grey-green leaves. It has single, four-petaled purple to white flowers, which are approximately 1 to 2 cm wide and carried on 45-60 cm spikes in July and August. The blooms open at night to reveal a delicious, heavy scent, reminiscent to some gardeners of vanilla, rose, spice and even cloves! Night-scented stock will thrive in any good garden soil in a position of full sun, although they will also tolerate partial shade if necessary. However, to perform at their best the soil should be a slightly alkaline, fertile, medium loam. If the soil is poor then it may need to be enriched by digging in plenty of well-rotted farm manure or