The
University of the South Pacific journalism students celebrated the world press
freedom day on May 3rd with style at the AusAid performance space with chief
guest Prominent Fiji lawyer Richard Naidu.
The main
theme for the event was media freedom has the power to transform societies.
He said,
“freedom of expression is not really much use as an idea if, only one side of
the political divide is effectively used to benefit from it”.
“One of
the problems that we face as journalists in getting and communicating
information is that we have no greater right to obtain that information or to
publish it than ordinary citizens.”
In his
opening speech he noted that he is not the Fiji governments’ best friend but
being a dissident voice perhaps the best demonstration of the USP journalism
associations’ commitment to media freedom.
“If there
is information out there that those in power wish to conceal we have to go and
dig it out by whatever means possible because we are often dependent on the
moral courage of whistle blowers”, he said.
The power
of the press is recognized by everyone in the country but every media consumer
wants to know if what he or she reads is credible and accurately right.
He stated
that one of the main newspapers in the country is little more than a mouthpiece
of the government and it is duly rewarded by receiving all of governments advertising.
“As new
journalists I am very envious of you all joining a great and unique profession
is not a nine to five job and I hope you never treat it as job. Not
everything you do will change the world, but much of what you do can change a
small part of it," said Naidu.
The
Pacific Media Freedom 2011 status report compiled by Pacific Media Watch Alex
Perrottet and Dr David Robie found that Fiji was one country that faced various
periods of repression.
It
stated since the military coup in December 2006, Fiji arguably encountered its
worst sustained pressure on the media since the original two Rabuka coups in
1987.
“There is
a series of opportunities, every day, for journalists to make an impact by
telling ordinary citizens what they need to know and giving a voice for their
concerns,” said Naidu.
He
pointed out that people in power do not like the media which is quite similar
to what the Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama said at the Pacific
Islands News Associations media summit that great changes makes the existing
elite uncomfortable which requires the media to be truly independent.
The
report stated while the case studies and statistics may depict a media freedom
situation relatively benign compared to other neighbouring countries such as
Indonesia and the Philippines, which enjoy a nominally free press but pose
serious dangers to journalists.
Despite
the challenges the Fiji media has faced, it will learn from the past and report on
issues that not only relates to the Fiji but the Pacific.
No block quote. Make longer paragraphs. Don't use italics. World Press Freedom Day is a proper noun and would be capitalised. What is your opinion on all this? You are just repeating the news. We want some analysis.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with the fact that the public is quickly losing its trust in the media. Mr. Richard Naidu had talked about how our role as journalists, is to dig for information that those in power wish to conceal and disseminate that information.
ReplyDeleteLater that night during World Press Dreedom Day, was a panel discussion when a former student who had worked a for a certain period in a mainstream media outlet and spoke out about how the press had been used as a 'mouthpiece' for the government. Press release statements were used and a lot of copying and pasting were being applied in many cases.
How can the public trust us if we do not investigate and bring forth at least two sides of an issue, even if it involves government??