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Category: PINA

  • Time to get in quick for the fast looming deadline for Pacific media conference

    Asia Pacific Report

    Time is running out for media people and academics wanting to tell their innovative story or present research at the 2024 Pacific International Media Conference in July.

    Organisers say the deadline is fast approaching for registration in less than two weeks.

    Many major key challenges and core problems facing Pacific media are up for discussion at the conference in Suva, Fiji, on July 4-6 hosted by The University of the South Pacific (USP).

    PACIFIC MEDIA CONFERENCE 4-6 JULY 2024
    PACIFIC MEDIA CONFERENCE 4-6 JULY 2024

    “Interest in the conference is very encouraging, both from our partners and from presenters — who are academics, professional practitioners and others who work in the fields of media and society,” conference chair Associate Professor Shailendra Singh of USP told Asia Pacific Report.

    “Some very interesting abstracts have been received, and we’re looking forward to more in the coming days and weeks.”

    The USP is partnered for the conference by the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) and the Asia Pacific Media Network (APMN).

    “There’s a lot to discuss — not only is this the first Pacific media conference of its kind in 20 years, there has been a lot of changes in the Pacific media sector, just as in the media sectors of just about every country in the world.

    Media sector shaken
    “Our region hasn’t escaped the calamitous impacts of the two biggest events that have shaken the media sector — digital disruption and the covid-19 pandemic.”

    Both events had posed major challenges for the news media organisations and journalists — “to the point of even being an existential threat to the news media industry as we know it”.

    “This isn’t very well known or understood outside the news media industry,” Dr Singh said.

    The trends needed to be examined in order to “respond appropriately”.

    “That is one of the main purposes of this conference — to generate research, discussion and debate on Pacific media, and understand the problems better.”

    Dr Singh said the conference was planning a stimulating line-up of guest speakers from the Asia-Pacific region.

    Fiji's Deputy Prime Minister and Communications Minister Manoa Kamikamica
    Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister and Communications Minister Manoa Kamikamica . . . chief guest for the 2024 Pacific Media Conference. Image: MFAT

    Chief guest
    Chief guest is Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica, who is also Communications and Technology Minister.

    The abstracts deadline is April 5, panel proposals are due by May 5, and July 4 is the date for final full papers.

    Key themes include:

    • Media, Democracy, Human Rights and Governance
    • Media and Geopolitics
    • Digital Disruption and Artificial Intelligence (AI)
    • Media Law and Ethics
    • Media, Climate Change and Environmental Journalism
    • Indigenous and Vernacular Media
    • Social Cohesion, Peace-building and Conflict-prevention
    • Covid-19 Pandemic and Health Reporting
    • Media Entrepreneurship and Sustainability

    Email abstracts to the conference chair: Dr Shailendra Singh

    Full details at the conference website: www.usp.ac.fj/2024-pacific-media-conference/

    The 2024 Pacific International Media Conference poster
    The 2024 Pacific International Media Conference poster. Image: USP

    This post was originally published on Asia Pacific Report.

  • PNG’s Masiu warns USP journalism students to defend free press

    By Monika Singh in Suva

    Freedom of the press is a cornerstone of any vibrant democracy and society’s collective responsibility to safeguard and protect it, says Papua New Guinea’s Minister for Information and Communication Technology Timothy Masiu.

    Masiu was chief guest at the 2023 University of the South Pacific Journalism Student Awards function held in Suva on Friday evening.

    “The USP Journalism Awards not only recognises excellence in reporting, but also the commitment to ethical journalism, unbiased storytelling, and the pursuit of truth,” said Masiu.

    “In an era where information flows abundantly, the responsibility of journalists to uphold these principles has never been more critical.”

    USP cheque presentation
    PINA president Kora Nou (left), PNG’s Minister for Information and Communication Technology Timothy Masiu and USP head of the journalism programme Dr Shailendra Singh during the cheque presentation. Image: Wansolwara News/USP

    While recognising the hard work and dedication put in by the student journalists in their stories, Masiu took the time to acknowledge the challenges that journalists face in the pursuit of truth.

    “Today, we recognise the hard work, dedication, and exemplary storytelling that have emerged from the vibrant and diverse community of journalists who have made their mark within USP.”

    This year 16 students from the USP journalism programme were recognised for their outstanding achievements in journalism.

    Sponsorship media
    The awards this year were sponsored by the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation (FBC), The Fiji Times, Islands Business, FijiLive and Sports World.

    “The journalists we celebrate today have embraced this responsibility with vigour, showcasing the power of words and the impact they can have on shaping our world,” said Masiu.

    Being a former journalist himself, Masiu said the role of journalism as the Fourth Estate could not be understated — “the role of journalism is pivotal in our society, serving as the watchdog, the voice of the voiceless, and the bridge that connects communities”.

    Masiu thanked the journalism school faculty heads and mentors who have guided these aspiring journalists for their dedication in nurturing the next generation of storytellers.

    “Your influence goes beyond the classroom; it shapes the future of journalism in the Pacific and beyond,” he said.

    The event included presentation of a $10,000 cheque by the PNG government to the USP journalism programme as part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the USP School of Journalism and the PNG National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) on June 19, 2023.

    The minister described the collaboration as a testament to recognition that the exchange of knowledge, resources, and expertise was essential in nurturing the next generation of journalists who would shape the narrative of the Pacific region.

    Shared training vision
    Signifying more than just a formal agreement, he said the MoU represented a shared vision for the future of journalism training and mentoring in the Pacific.

    “Through this collaboration, students will have the opportunity to engage with seasoned professionals, gaining insights into the ever-evolving landscape of journalism,” he said.

    “I request that the USP School of Journalism or wider USP will have appropriate programmes to upskill or re-train our deserving NBC staff who are non-journalists.”

    Journalism head Associate Professor Dr Shailendra Singh acknowledged the support from the PNG government for the USP Journalism Program.

    Speaking about the USP Journalism Awards, Dr Singh said these were the longest running and most consistent journalism awards in the Pacific in any category.

    He paid tribute to the founder of the awards in 1999, former USP journalism head Professor David Robie, adding that he wished that journalism awards would be revived in Fiji and the region.

    “Journalists carry out a crucial function — sometimes it’s a thankless task. Our best journalists should be recognised and helped in their work,” said Dr Singh.

    Winners of the 2023 USP Journalism Awards
    Winners of the 2023 USP Journalism Awards with PNG’s Minister for Information and Communication Technology Timothy Masiu (seated centre), flanked by PINA president Kora Nou on his left and journalism programme head Associate Professor Shailendra Singh in Suva on Friday. Image: Wansolwara News

    Winners of the 2023 USP Journalism Awards:

    • Most Promising First-Year student: Riya Bhagwan
    • Best News Reporting: Aralai Vosayaco and Nikhil Kumar
    • Best Radio Student: Josepheen Tarianga
    • Best Television Students: Nishat Kanti and Maretta Putri
    • Best Sports Reporting: Sera Navuga
    • Best Feature Reporting: Prerna Priyanka and Viliame Tawanakoro
    • Best Regional Reporting: Lorima Dalituicama
    • Best Online Reporting: Brittany Nawaqatabu
    • Most Outstanding Journalism Student of the Year: Yukta Chand and Viliame Tawanakoro

    Awards sponsored by the Journalism Students Association:

    • Wansolwara Outstanding Reporting Award: Ema Ganivatu
    • Best Inclusive Award, Best Editorial Team, and Best Professional Award: Nikhil Kumar
    • Team player Award: Ivy Mallam
    • Students Choice Award: Andrew Naidu
    • Outstanding Social Service to USP Community: Rhea Kumar

    Monika Singh is a reporter for Wansolwara, the online and print publication of the USP Journalism Programme. Republished in partnership with Wansolwara.

    This post was originally published on Asia Pacific Report.

  • Protesting EMTV news staff walk out – no live 6pm news bulletin

    Pacific Media Watch newsdesk

    Papua New Guinean television station EMTV did not run its usual 6pm news bulletin last night as its journalists and news production crew in Port Moresby and countrywide walked off the job demanding their suspended head of news and current affairs, Sincha Dimara, be reinstated, reports PNG Post-Courier.

    Papua New Guineans were also denied the right to information when the newsroom team walked off with the production of the 6pm news.

    The station was forced to replay Tuesday’s news segment instead.

    Dimara was suspended last week by the EMTV management following an internal memo preventing the newsroom from running stories on currently embroiled businessman Jamie Pang.

    She was suspended without pay for 21 days on the grounds of alleged insubordination and damaging EMTV’s reputation by running stories that were sympathising with the hotelier who is currently in custody for several serious charges of criminal conduct.

    The management in a statement maintained its stand stating that “the leaked internal memo served as a caution for EMTV journalists to be sensitive when conducting interviews and to follow reporting guidelines”.

    “The memo did not in any way restrict the journalists’ freedom of press rather the memo was circulated to staff with the view to properly scrutinise the content of the news stories before they were aired that day.”

    PNG Media Council condemns suspension
    The PNG Media Council, in a statement, condemned the suspension of Dimara and called for her immediate reinstatement, saying that the council saw her suspension solely as an act of intimidation by the interim CEO and management of Media Niugini Limited.

    “Media Niugini Limited (MNL) has not learned from its past experiences of sidelining, and even terminating its heads of news, based on political directives,” the council stated.

    The president of the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA), Kora Nou, urged all media organisations in the region to “vigorously defend the editorial independence” of their newsrooms.

    Nou said both the management and newsroom executives of all media organisations had their distinct roles to play.

    He said he had reached out to the interim chief executive officer of EMTV, Lesieli Vete, to get her side of the story but had not received much feedback.

    In a statement released late last night by the newsroom staff, they said their decision to walk off their duties was because the issue could have been handled better by the interim CEO, adding that it was the third such incident involving heads of news.

    “This is the third time in a space of five years for an EMTV news manager to be suspended due to external influence,” they stated.

    On Wednesday, February 9, 2022, the national EMTV News team wrote a letter to Vete expressing concern over the suspension of Dimara. They met with both EMTV and Telikom managements who explained their decision to suspend Dimara.

    “The EMTV Newsroom would like to apologise to our viewers for not bringing you tonight’s news bulletin. We will return when the wrongs have been righted,” the statement said.

    Republished with permission from the PNG Post-Courier.

    This post was originally published on Asia Pacific Report.

  • Remembering broadcaster and journalist Shiu Singh

    By Ian Johnstone, former manager of RNZ International

    All across the South Pacific, tribute is being paid to broadcaster and journalist Shiu Singh who has died in his home in Suva, Fiji.

    The sad news will be carried throughout Micronesia, Polynesia and Melanesia via media networks such as PACNEWS, which was pioneered and built up over years of dedicated hard work by Singh.

    In the 1960s, as Singh began a term of service in the RNZAF, his homeland Fiji and many other Pacific colonies of Britain, USA, New Zealand and Australia were preparing to become self-governing or independent, but were hindered because their only communication links were with their colonial masters.

    Pacific Islanders heard no news from or about their neighbours, and had no chance to talk with each other, swap advice, exchange experiences.

    In the 1970s, Singh, now back in Fiji with a fine reputation as a current affairs broadcaster set about changing that state of affairs.

    Soon after helping to establish the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) he took on the daunting task of gathering, editing, compiling and re-distributing Pacific news right across our region. It is largely because of his dedication and professionalism that PACNEWS exists today.

    Singh overcame many challenges, including a threat by Fiji’s military government to censor bulletins and destroy the credibility he had worked so hard to establish.

    His response was to say goodbye to his beloved Prabha and family and – after a two-day hiatus – resume the much valued PACNEWS from a new home in Vanuatu.

    We mourn the passing of an outstanding public broadcaster who gave great service to Pacific people in the course of a distinguished career marked by reliability, honesty, impartiality and extremely hard work.

    Vinaka vaka levu, Shiu. May you rest in peace.

    This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

    This post was originally published on Asia Pacific Report.