Scrutinize overseas TV documentary crews‏ entering Papua New Guinea

While I appreciate overseas media and television crews coming into Papua New Guinea to report on Papua New Guinea, I don't like some of their documentaries. 'Madventures in Papua New Guinea', for example; was a documentary done by the Travel Channel and aired yesterday (10/19/2009) at 11 pm E/P time.

It wasn't appropriate for most of the viewers in the United States and worldwide. The whole documentary was focused on the question: Is cannibalism still alive? Most Papua New Guineans were offended by what was aired and contained in the documentary. The documentary portrays the Hamtai people of Morobe Province as cannibals.

The television crew even show pictures of skulls and bone fragments of human remains that they claim were remains after cannibalism. If the Hamatai people gave that information out, they were wrong in giving that kind of information but if the Travel Channel crew made up that information, we need clarification on that information.

Hamtai warrior holds human bones from a previous meal (Pic. from Travel Channel website)

I think the overseas media and TV crews have the practice of denigrating Papua New Guinea and sensationalizing past practices that have been done years ago just to make a good impression on themselves and to whom they work for, for a quick buck. We would appreciate if a bit of support would be more helpful of a different culture than merely past practices that scares visitors to Papua New Guinea.

Maybe those in the forefront who know exactly who is entering and leaving Papua New Guinea shores would prevent some of these bogus media and television crews from overseas who come to Papua New Guinea under the pretext of reporting to make quick, mega bucks to report issues from a country they have limited or no knowledge at all.

Concerned PNG Citizen,

Ohio, USA

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