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Referendum Awareness through mobile phones

The Autonomous Bougainville Government is set to trial a new mobile phone awareness platform giving people up to date information on the referendum and Peace Agreement.

Starting this Sunday 2 June, 500 people will receive test messages from the ABG BPA Hotline. The hotline gives a freecall number for people to call and hear pre-recorded audio messages.

ABG Media and Communications Director, Ms Adriana Schmidt, said people have told government that they want information to be given out through their mobile phone.

“A recent Bougainville audience survey found that more people have access to a mobile phone than radio, newspaper or TV – and mobiles are being used to share information. That’s why we are trialling this new mobile phone awareness for referendum preparations, said Ms Schmidt.  

This Sunday, the system would be tested, starting with messages to 500 mobile phones.

“500 people across Bougainville will receive a text message from the ABG BPA Hotline – including a freecall number,” Ms Schmidt said.

“Calling this number is free, and will give you a choice of four different audio messages on Peacebuilding, Autonomy, Weapons Disposal, Referendum.”

The information is based on the recent Joint Referendum Key Messages agreed to by both governments.

“We encourage people to listen to all four messages - so we can check if the system is working properly.”

Once system testing is complete, the full mobile awareness platform, with all information translated to Tok Pisin and spoken by Bougainville leaders, will launch in July and run for eight weeks.

Ms Schmidt said good information is essential for good decision-making.

“We want to make sure people have access to approved government information, spoken by our leaders,” Schmidt said.

The recent Bougainville Audience Study found that across Bougainville, three out of every four adults had access to a mobile phone, with equal numbers in north, central and south regions. However, credit was a key issue for phone users and so the ABG is making the ABG BPA Hotline a free service.

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