Overview:
The Palau Media Council marked World Press Freedom Day with a nationwide awareness campaign and fundraising drive to support a new media training center at Palau Community College, highlighting the importance of press freedom and media development in Palau’s democracy.
Fundraising campaign aims to strengthen local journalism and broadcasting capacity through new PCC facility
By: L.N. Reklai
KOROR, Palau (May 8, 2026)— The Palau Media Council marked World Press Freedom Day with a public awareness campaign and fundraising effort aimed at strengthening press freedom and expanding local media training opportunities in Palau.
The May 8 event focused on the importance of media freedom in Palau’s democratic system while also supporting the development of a new media training center at Palau Community College.
The awareness campaign was livestreamed through TMC Broadcasting, Palau Wave Radio and Palau Wave Facebook Live to encourage broader public participation and discussion about the role of independent media in the country.
Organizers said the event was intended to educate the public about the importance of a free press and the constitutional protections that safeguard freedom of expression and government transparency in Palau.
As part of the event, the Palau Media Council also launched fundraising efforts to help outfit the new media training center, which is being developed in partnership with Palau Community College. The center is expected to provide training and skills development for journalists, broadcasters and emerging digital media practitioners.
The project received support through an Australian government grant, which will provide equipment needed for the facility. Funds raised locally will help cover the 10% Palau Goods and Services Tax on imported equipment and other materials needed to complete the training center.
Council members said the facility is intended to strengthen local media capacity and prepare a new generation of media professionals as broadcasting and digital platforms continue to evolve.
The event also featured a talk show with former Palau President Johnson Toribiong, one of the framers of the Palau Constitution, who discussed constitutional protections for press freedom and public access to government information.
Toribiong highlighted Article IV, Section 2 of the Constitution, which states that the government “shall take no action to deny or impair the freedom of expression or press.” The provision also protects journalists from being compelled by the government to reveal confidential sources obtained during professional investigations.
He also discussed Article IV, Section 12, which guarantees citizens the right to examine government documents and observe official deliberations of government agencies.
Palau continues to rank among the top countries globally for media freedom. According to the Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index, Palau ranked within the top 30 countries worldwide and was ranked No. 1 in the Pacific under the Pacific Freedom Forum Index 2024.
However, speakers at the event noted that Palau previously ranked eighth globally in the 2018 Reporters Without Borders index before dropping to 29th in 2025.
Former Palau Media Council President and veteran journalist Ongerung Kambes Kesolei said the rankings should serve as a reminder that protecting press freedom requires continued vigilance.
“Although we are in the top 30, these numbers show that we should not be complacent and should be vigilant in ensuring that we continue to have press freedom, which is fundamental to our democratic society,” Kesolei said.
The council said the event stressed both the importance of protecting constitutional freedoms and the need to continue investing in the development of Palau’s media industry.
