Palau journalist Ngeldei Tulop at PRETMM6 in PNG.
In early May, Pacific Cooperation Broadcasting Limited (PCBL), supported by The Pacific Community (SPC), carried out its Media Masterclass ahead of the sixth Pacific Regional Energy and Transport Ministers’ Meeting (PRETMM6), in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, training local and selected journalists from the region.
It was an opportunity for PCBL to help build capacity within the Pacific media industry, by building a connected Pacific storytelling pipeline, particularly with the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting and COP31 looming.
Tuvalu Broadcasting Coorporation journalist Jessica Tuaga and Island Times journalist Ngeldei Tulop from Palau were selected to take part in the mentoring programme, facilitated by PCBL Regional Content Manager Tia Soakai and Regional News Development Project Lead Stefan Armbruster.
Ngeldei Tulop reflects on her experience:
My trip to Papua New Guinea for the PRETMM6 meeting was one of the most meaningful experiences I have had as a young journalist from Palau.
It was more than just a work-related trip – it was a journey that opened my eyes to a bigger perspective of journalism, regional cooperation, and the role young Pacific Islanders can play in telling the stories of our people.
As a first-time traveler to PNG and my first time leaving Palau for a professional event, I did not know exactly what to expect.
I was nervous, excited, and curious all at once and from the moment I arrived, I realised this experience would be different from anything I had ever done before.
Seeing delegates, leaders, media representatives, and journalists from across the Pacific gather in one place showed me how important regional meetings like PRETMM6 are for the future of our islands.
One of the most valuable parts of the trip was connecting with other journalists from around the Pacific.
Coming from small island nations, many of us share similar struggles, challenges, and responsibilities when it comes to reporting on issues that affect our communities.
Through conversations, workshops, and simple moments outside the meetings, I was able to build friendships and learn from people with different experiences and perspectives.
It reminded me journalism in the Pacific is not only about reporting news – it is also about building relationships and creating a stronger regional voice.
The experience also helped me understand the importance of reporting on issues beyond just local headlines.
Discussions during the PRETMM6 meeting touched on transportation, connectivity, trade, fuel costs, and regional cooperation.
Listening to these conversations made me realize how connected Pacific Island countries truly are.
Even though our islands are separated by ocean, many of the challenges we face are shared. As journalists, we have the responsibility to explain these issues to our people in a way they can understand and relate to.
Being in such a large regional meeting for the first time was inspiring.
I saw leaders and officials discussing decisions that could shape the future of the Pacific.
At the same time, I realised the importance of media presence in spaces like these.
Not everyone can attend these meetings or understand the technical discussions taking place behind closed doors.
That is where journalists become important – we become the bridge between leaders and the public. This trip made me feel proud to represent Palau and to be part of that responsibility.
As a young Palauan journalist, the trip also gave me confidence in myself and my future.
It showed me that age does not limit the ability to make an impact.
I learned that young people can also be voices for their communities, especially in regional spaces where Pacific stories need to be told by Pacific people themselves.
The experience encouraged me to think outside the box and approach journalism from a broader perspective that connects the entire Pacific region together.
Beyond the meetings and professional experience, the trip also gave me personal growth.
Traveling to a new country, meeting new people, and adapting to a different environment pushed me outside my comfort zone.
Papua New Guinea was vibrant, diverse, and full of culture, and experiencing it firsthand taught me the importance of understanding the different identities that make up the Pacific.
Looking back, the PRETMM6 trip was more than just an assignment.
It was a learning experience that strengthened my passion for journalism and reminded me why storytelling matters and it opened my eyes to the power of regional journalism and inspired me to continue being a voice for my people, my country, and the Pacific as a whole.