PORT MORESBY (Papua New Guinea) – When Jamie Haro first walked into the Post Courier newsroom as a sophomore journalism pupil from the University of Papua New Guinea, she by no means imagined that her profession would quickly take her to FIBA occasions throughout Oceania. Fast ahead to at present, and the inspiring journalist has change into one of essentially the most promising younger voices within the Pacific – each behind the microphone and in entrance of the digital camera.
Earlier this yr, Haro was chosen by means of the FIBA a WINS (Women in News and Sport) program for an internship on the FIBA 3×3 Youth Nations League in Palau, the place she led media operations and interviewed some of the area’s brightest basketball stars. It was a chance she calls “career-defining.”
“This was my second time to cover a FIBA event, the first one was during the 2023 FIBA Oceania U17 Championship in Port Moresby where I had the opportunity to commentate in basketball and sports overall.” she mentioned. “This is also through the partnership with the ABCID Women in News & Sports programme.”
“The recent experience in Palau was completely different from the first as it was a 3×3 tournament,” she added. “I have never seen a much energetic crowd before and the talent of all these athletes coming from all corners of the Pacific region to compete. It was off the charts.”
From Law to Journalism
Haro’s path into sports media wasn’t a straight one. Initially aiming to study law, she pivoted into journalism while at the University of Papua New Guinea.
“I had other plans in life and didn’t see myself in this career pathway however things took a turn when I made a tough decision to switch my interest in Law to Journalism just to get into a college and the rest became history,” she explained.
“I quickly adapted to the idea of journalism when I started college and never looked back. I guess the motivation came after learning a lot on how journalist also help shaped the world in their own way by becoming the voice of the voiceless. While I had an interest in writing stories around health, education and crime, my biggest interest was around sports because one thing I loved more than anything was playing sports.
“I grew up playing touch footy, netball and athletics but a huge rugby league and union fan growing up.”
Since then, Haro has built an impressive résumé across print, online, television, radio, and now commentary, interning and working with outlets like TVWAN, EMTV, The National Newspaper before branching into freelancing.
The accolades she has gained early in her career just in this year alone speaks for themselves whether it’s the Sports Media of the Year and Best Sports Photo of the Year at the 33rd SP Sports Award, Sports Journalist of the Year on the 2025 PNG Media Awards, and was amongst one of 14 rising leaders in ladies’s sports by Women in Sport Aotearoa & Pasifika Sisters in Sport.
Taking the Mic
Breaking into sports commentary – traditionally dominated by men – has not been easy. Haro recalls facing skepticism and criticism when she first stepped into the role.
“Women have additionally acquired criticism by means of this job because it has already occurred to me,” she said. “The first time I moved into the house of sports commentary, I acquired loads of detrimental criticisms with women and men telling me this job was meant for males and we must always focus extra on writing tales.
“This didn’t make me lose interest but motivated me to accept criticisms and continue to participate in this space. Making a stance and accepting such negativity is a motivation to go more step forward.”
That willpower carried her by means of the 2023 FIBA U17 Oceania Cup in Port Moresby, the place she made her commentary debut, and into Palau for her FIBA x WINS internship. There, she ran media interviews, coordinated with native journalists, and introduced athlete tales to life for followers throughout the Pacific.
“Interacting with the athletes and getting to know them better,” mentioned Haro, in reference to what she beloved most about her actions in Palau. “It took a bit of challenge at first as they were hesitant but as the days went by, they started getting confident and were more approachable.”
Amplifying Women’s Voices
For Haro, being half of the FIBA x WINS program wasn’t nearly her personal profession – it was about paving the way in which for others.
Jamie Haro (second left in picture one) at FIBA 3×3 Youth Nations League – Oceania | Pacific Mini Games 2025
“We need to have more female commentators in the region so that it can help us commentate women’s sports rather than having men do it.” she mentioned. “Our inclusion on this house means we will do something males do, and I’m rooting to see extra ladies transfer into sports journalism and commentary.”
She believes women journalists have a crucial role to play in promoting the women’s game and challenging stereotypes across Oceania.
Looking Ahead
With multiple job offers now on the table and a growing reputation across the Pacific, Haro is already thinking about what’s next.
Her dream? To continue honing her craft as a sports commentator and eventually take the mic at major international competitions.
“The 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Palau is my favourite second in my profession,” said Haro. “It gave me lasting reminiscences, new buddies and watching historical past made my athletes from everywhere in the Pacific.
“I would love to expand my experience beyond PNG and work in the other Pacific Islands just to see how effective sports journalism is and its importance through the media. Apart from that, I hope to be better in my craft as a sports commentator to be able to do commentary in big competitions in the future.”
Her recommendation to younger ladies contemplating a profession in sports media is straightforward:
“
Sports Journalism offers loads of alternatives, you probably have a ardour and coronary heart for it. It can take you locations.
A Superstar within the Making
From her first bylines in Port Moresby to main media operations at a FIBA occasion, Jamie Haro’s journey is proof of the facility of alternative, resilience, and keenness. With her voice now echoing throughout the area, she stands as a trailblazer for ladies in sports media – and a famous person to look at because the next chapter of Oceania basketball unfolds.
Haro’s mentorship on the FIBA 3×3 Youth Nations League – Oceania in collaboration with the Pacific Mini Games was supported and made potential by PacificAus Sports, and, ABC International Development Program, Women in News and Sport (WINS).
About PacificAus Sports
PacificAus Sports is an Australian Government sports diplomacy initiative creating pathways for Pacific groups and athletes to compete in elite competitions and entry excessive efficiency teaching in Australia and internationally. The program companions with Australian nationwide sports organisations to assist a spread of Pacific sports, with funding cut up evenly between ladies and men. PacificAus Sports additionally companions with the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) to advertise Pacific sport by means of ABC Television’s ‘That Pacific Sports Show’ and ABC Radio’s ‘Fresh Off the Field’. The high-performance outcomes of PacificAus Sports are complemented by the Australian Government’s Team Up program, which focuses on sport for growth within the Pacific.
For extra details about PacificAus Sports and its initiatives, go to www.pacificaussports.gov.au and comply with PacificAus Sports on Facebook.
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