[pima.nius] Discussion: [pacific-journos][Freedom-Forum] Fiji economy

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: conrad mill <conradmill@bigpond.com>
Date: 2009/4/16
Subject: [pacific-journos] Re: [Freedom-Forum] Community media updates from FemLINKPacific
To: pacificmedia@googlegroups.com

Its very sad , Fiji devalued before but not in this economic state of the world. If the dollar is pegged then the RB has to prop it up if it goes into free fall.

 

I'm assuming that it will hover as I don't think there is much currency trading in the Fiji dollar. Yes it will have an impact and oil prices affect all goods and services and meals on the table.

 

Unfortunately tourism is in decline worldwide. Qantas are laying off 1700 jobs from memory. No one is flying or taking holidays and if the devaluation was to attract tourists they may not be there to take up the offer.

 

I don't think those on the economic levers now are competent CM

----- Original Message -----

From: Dennis Rounds

To: pacificmedia@googlegroups.com

Sent: Tuesday, April 14, 2009 7:31 PM

Subject: [pacific-journos] Re: [Freedom-Forum] Community media updates from FemLINKPacific

Lisa,Yehi,

 

Whatever the cost - those in power have no compassion whatsoever for the ordinary Fijian. They have set goals and will achieve it all costs. See Frank's statement on Radio Australia - they considered the media an obstacle and hence the Media Regulations to ensure they get the coverage they want. In the meantime, all other media which will provide analyses of the new measures taken will be blocked out (like Radio Australia)!

 

So, yes - the ordinary Fijian on the street will find it much harder to put food on the table because the dollar in his pocket has been devalued more than 20 percent when you consider the coming increase in the price of imported foodstuff.

 

I earn pretty good money (by Fiji standards) and am still barely able to meet all my financial commitments - what about the poor garment worker? Living in a country like Fiji, my income serves as a buffer for other extended family members needing that little extra to survive - now the pressure is being placed on all of us.

 

As Jason said, the country, as an entity may not be bankrupt but you can bet whatever value's left of the Fiji dollar that our people will be. And if we continue to look to China, then it might end up not being our country at all but paper assets held by the Chinese goverment.

 

DR/  

 

 

   

On Wed, Apr 15, 2009 at 1:35 PM, Yehiura Hriehwazi <yehi@thenational.com.pg> wrote:

Lisa,

 

I am wondering what the cost of basic food items will be like by the end of the week. I fear that some families are really going to struggle to put food on the table.

 

yehi

 

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From: mediafreedom@googlegroups.com [mailto:mediafreedom@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Lisa Williams-Lahari
Sent: Wednesday, April 15, 2009 11:31 AM
To: Pacific Islands Journos Online; Pacific WAVE Media Network; Pacific Freedom Forum; fijimedia@googlegroups.com
Subject: [Freedom-Forum] Community media updates from FemLINKPacific

 

  Hi everiwan, aside from the headlines, the impact on families and mostly women and children of the newly devalued FJD, as well as the ongoing situation in Fiji, poses an ongoing challenge for the women, peace and security advocacy focus of community media network FemLINKpacific, whose coordinator Sharon B-Rolls was heard interviewed today by Radio Australia....for those who want to followup or keep her contact handy for Fiji-relevant info as part of her updates to her women, peace and media networks, her mob is +6799244871

 

Reflections follow -- lis

 

"Thank you for the updates/news being circulated regarding Fiji's media situation - I have been able to collate and send them out to women's groups etc here - as you can appreciate "there is no news" - although one media outlet today is reporting that the Levuka Prison needs a fire hydrant and I am becoming more familiar with sports news (!!) For femlinkpacific we hope we can continue with our community media/radio work ....we shall see As the reports rightly point out - the lack of information creates greater fear and anxiety especially in the rural communities
One of our rural correspondents has pointed out that that there is a vital need for communities to receive genuine information as we under go a very confusing time such as this. The information is useful linking it to our women and communities to understanding the situation better, so the information divide will only increase."

"There seems to be "peace and calm" ... people are going to work, children are going to school – but then they have to; for families, life must continue because we cannot afford disruptions to education or employment, but the growing economic insecurities will cause disruptions and further exacerbate the already troubled economy. As you know the economic situation has worsened as a result of the floods in January especially for families who lost everything and are still traumatized …and so right now of growing concern is the possibility of trade sanctions which can further exacerbate the economic situation – especially tourism sector and the places where people are already working on reduced hours."

"I also really hope that Pacific Forum Leaders, the Commonwealth and the UN do not take Fiji off their agenda; we must continue to dialogue "in the Pacific Way", we need Pacific leaders committed to dialogue and mediation which will help move our country forward towards elections.
Yes, some are feeling slightly "immbolized" and I am also hoping that together with other affiliates of the National Council of Women Fiji, over the next few days we can work out a way to take us back on course in our work to ensure women's equitable participation in the process of returning Fiji to parliamentary democracy"

 

"What we will urgently need is also the support and solidarity from our sister and development partner organisations who can render the necessary support for women at times like this. I am really thankful for the responses so far that have been shared for example from the World YWCA, WACC, AMARC and other networks, and would just encourage to help us keep the faith and keep moving forward to ensure (using te guidelines set by the World YWCA) including - provision of gender responsive humanitarian assistance; - prevention of violence and support to any survivors of violence and facilitate effective participation of women in resolution of crisis in line with 1325."

 

In solidarity

 

Sharon Bhagwan Rolls

Coordinator - femLINKPACIFIC

 

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pacific islands media association
pima.nius@gmail.com
aotearoa, new zealand
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