Papua New Guinea has lost another fine journalist. Following the recent deaths of media pioneers Sam Piniau and Luke Sela, Peter Kili – of the ubiquitous Kili media family – died at Port Moresby General Hospital on Tuesday. Mr Kili, from Masum village in Buka is survived by his wife and three children. The PNG Media Council yesterday paid tribute to him as one of PNG’s “outstanding journalists”. Council vice-president Michael Asagoni said that the loss of Mr Kili to his family was also a loss to the media industry in PNG.

Mr Kili hailed from PNG’s greatest media family.  Justin, the eldest brother, has 36 years of service in the industry and is executive officer of the PNG Media Council. Younger brother Augustine works for the television station EMTV.

Peter Kili started his career in journalism in the 1980s after graduating with a diploma at the University of Papua New Guinea. He began with Niugini Nius and then proceeded to the Post-Courier and The National newspapers. The highlight of his career, which earned him great credibility, was his exclusive reporting during the years of the Bougainville crisis. He was dispatched by the Post-Courier and accompanied members of the Bougainville Revolutionary Army, taking exclusive pictures of what the rebels were doing.

Mr Asagoni said Mr Kili had been one of PNG’s outstanding journalists, a role model whose contribution would be missed.