PORT MORESBY (Papua New Guinea) - When Jamie Haro first walked into the Post Courier newsroom as a sophomore journalism student from the University of Papua New Guinea, she never imagined that her career would soon take her to FIBA events across Oceania. Fast forward to today, and the inspiring journalist has become one of the most promising young voices in the Pacific - both behind the microphone and in front of the camera.
Earlier this year, Haro was selected through the FIBA a WINS (Women in News and Sport) program for an internship at the FIBA 3x3 Youth Nations League in Palau, where she led media operations and interviewed some of the region’s brightest basketball stars. It was an opportunity 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 said. "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 3x3 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 at the 2025 PNG Media Awards, and was among one of 14 emerging leaders in women'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 also received criticism through this job as it has already happened to me," she said. "The first time I moved into the space of sports commentary, I received a lot of negative criticisms with men and women telling me this job was meant for men and we should focus more on writing stories.
"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 determination carried her through the 2023 FIBA U17 Oceania Cup in Port Moresby, where she made her commentary debut, and into Palau for her FIBA x WINS internship. There, she ran media interviews, coordinated with local journalists, and brought athlete stories to life for fans across the Pacific.
"Interacting with the athletes and getting to know them better," said Haro, in reference to what she loved most about her activities 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 part of the FIBA x WINS program wasn’t just about her own career - it was about paving the way for others.
"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 said. “Our inclusion in this space means we can do anything men do, and I am rooting to see more women move 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 favorite moment in my career," said Haro. "It gave me lasting memories, new friends and watching history made my athletes from all over 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 advice to young women considering a career in sports media is simple:
Sports Journalism provides a lot of opportunities, if you have a passion and heart for it. It can take you places.
A Superstar in the Making
From her first bylines in Port Moresby to leading media operations at a FIBA event, Jamie Haro’s journey is proof of the power of opportunity, resilience, and passion. With her voice now echoing across the region, she stands as a trailblazer for women in sports media - and a superstar to watch as the next chapter of Oceania basketball unfolds.
Haro's mentorship at the FIBA 3x3 Youth Nations League – Oceania in collaboration with the Pacific Mini Games was supported and made possible 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 developing pathways for Pacific teams and athletes to compete in elite competitions and access high performance coaching in Australia and internationally. The program partners with Australian national sports organisations to support a range of Pacific sports, with funding split evenly between women and men. PacificAus Sports also partners with the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) to promote Pacific sport through 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 development in the Pacific.
For more information about PacificAus Sports and its initiatives, visit www.pacificaussports.gov.au and follow PacificAus Sports on Facebook.
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