A total of 57 journalism students from the University of Papua New Guinea’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences gained firsthand industry exposure during an educational visit to The National newspaper on Thursday.
The group was welcomed at the company’s headquarters and taken through the production process by Production Clerk Ms. Gretel Laibe.
Related news: https://www.postcourier.com.pg/upng-journalism-students-visit-post-courier-office-2/
Laibe provided an in-depth look at how the daily paper moves from layout to print. The tour then proceeded to the newsroom, where students met key editorial staff and discussed career expectations after graduation.
Online Editor Mr. Isaiah Manish Igish addressed the students on the growing role of artificial intelligence in journalism.
“Currently, we don’t have a specific AI policy in place, and yes, we cannot deny the fact that AI is here to stay.
“It’s such a powerful tool that you can use to assist you in everyday life. It’s not just about the newsroom or writing stories. You can use it in all other aspects of life as well.”
Mr. Igish noted that while The National has no formal guidelines yet, reporters have already begun using AI tools for drafting stories and processing statements.
He cautioned students to maintain journalistic standards.
“Don’t sacrifice accuracy for speed, especially when you’re trying to break news,” he said. “When you put your own effort into it, you will emotionally feel connected to your work. With AI, you won’t feel anything.”
The visit aimed to bridge classroom theory with newsroom practice, giving future journalists insight into production workflows, ethical challenges, and emerging technology shaping the media industry.
Students described the experience as eye-opening, with many saying it reinforced the importance of balancing innovation with accuracy and integrity in reporting.