Wednesday, November 2, 2011

[pima.nius] Fwd: [pacific-journos] NZ: Pacific journalists reach ten-year milestone-- PFF

1:47 PM |

PFF, Rarotonga, COOK ISLANDS -- Pacifica journalists in New Zealand
celebrating ten years of better networking and a space to share their
concerns have reached a regional milestone, says the Pacific Freedom
Forum.

PFF joins other regional colleagues in congratulating the Pacific
Islands Media Association, PIMA, for reaching a decade of networking
and solidarity. "Already a minority in a country which has a strong
Pacific population and is host the world's largest Polynesian centre,
a relatively small cadre of Pacific Islands journalists working in New
Zealand have come through a tough decade for journalists, let alone
New Zealand journalists and Pacific journalists. That is
inspirational," says Papua New Guinea's Titi Gabi, who chairs the
regional media freedom network.

"PFF is not even half the age of PIMA. But the concerns over keeping
professional standards in an industry facing high turnover and lack of
interest as a long term career are shared. And the networking offered
by linking with other journalists is definitely something which has
marked the development of Pacific media in recent years."

The emergence and growth of institutions such as the Auckland
University of Technology's Pacific Media Centre is helping to lead
quality tertiary training and debates for Pacific journalists in New
Zealand and the region, and continues to help boost membership and
support for PIMA, says co-chair Monica Miller of American Samoa.

"We celebrate with our Pacific colleagues this week, and look forward
to more shared efforts in future," she says.

Miller was amongst those attending the May 2011 UNESCO World Press
Freedom Day regional events in Apia, where PIMA formed part of the
inaugural membership of the Media Alliance of the Pacific. The MAP
grouping provides a common platform for the different Pacific regional
media networks to come together on issues and concerns they share,
such as media freedom and training actions. -- ENDS

LINKS:

PIMA website www.pima.co.nz

Pacific Media Centre website www.pmc.aut.ac.nz

CONTACT: PFF Chair Titi Gabi | Freelance Journalist | Papua New Guinea
Mail: PO Box 7776, Boroko, NCD, Papua New Guinea | Mob: (675) 7314
3929 | Email: titi.gabipng@gmail.com PFF co-Chair Monica Miller | KHJ
Radio | American Samoa Mob 684 258-4197 | Office 684 633-7793 | Email:
monica@khjradio.com The Pacific Freedom Forum are a regional and
global online network of Pacific media colleagues, with the specific
intent of raising awareness and advocacy of the right of Pacific
people to enjoy freedom of expression and be served by a free and
independent media. We believe in the critical and basic link between
these freedoms, and the vision of democratic and participatory
governance pledged by our leaders in their endorsement of the Pacific
Plan and other commitments to good governance. In support of the
above, our key focus is monitoring threats to media freedom and
bringing issues of concern to the attention of the wider regional and
international community.

--
Lisa Williams-Lahari
Media Freelancer
Regional Coordinator, IFJ Pacific Media for Democracy and Human Rights
Project
Ph Mobile: 677-7574230
Skype: lisalahari

* "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that
matter."-- Martin Luther King Jr. *

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Monday, October 31, 2011

[pima.nius] Press Release from Pasifika Media Association

2:22 PM |

MEDIA RELEASE
Apologies for cross-postings!

For immediate release
31 October 2011

Media contact
Savea Sano Malifa
email: saveamalifa@gmail.com
(685) 770-2250

British Government Funds Pacific Media
The British High Commission in Honiara, Solomon Islands, has granted major funding to the
Samoa-based Pasifika Media Association (PasiMA) to finance regional online media education.
The grant was approved during a meeting in Apia last week.

Apia, Samoa – The Chairman and Administrative Director of Pasifika Media Association (PasiMA) met in Apia last week with The British Deputy High Commissioner to the Solomon Islands, Mr Tom Oppenheim, to draft a funding agreement in support of PasiMA's work.

The funds are intended to finance a major regional project to provide online media educational and training resources for Pacific island journalists and media operators.

At the end of the two-day meeting, PasiMA Chairman Savea Sano Malifa said, "On behalf of PasiMA, I would like to extend our gratitude to the Deputy High Commissioner and the British government for their support in pursuing our goals.

"We trust that the funds being extended will help promote and protect the people's right to freedom of expression in the Pacific, and we are mindful that they shall be wisely spent."

The board of directors of PasiMA, the Pacific region's leading professional media organization of independent media owners, operators and principals, sees ongoing media education as a priority need for effective media development.

In response to this need, the new PasiMA project will develop an online professional-support and distance-learning network grounded in Pacific culture and values. It will be tailored to the needs of working journalists in the Pacific.

PasiMA believes that the creation of a 21st Century online media support and training network, emerging from a Pacific perspective, will make advanced media training easily accessible to regional media professionals.

Such a facility should also contribute to their increased capacity and broadly support community media markets in the region.

The PasiMA project will involve a number of partnerships with existing journalism programmes and media-related organizations and NGOs in the region.

A primary project focus will the development of teaching modules designed to provide existing professional journalists with the additional skills, knowledge and expertise required to venture deeper into the important field of investigative reporting.

In addition, a specific training and capacity building programme for media proprietors and staff in the generation of ideas and the furtherance of the development of multi-media platforms will be made available. This will entail the use of social media in both developing commercial viability and increasing news and information flow.

The new online resources will be designed to assist prospective and existing media owners and managers with business management tools and models for business sustainability.

The project proposal was developed with the assistance of Associate Professor Martin Hadlow, formerly of the University of Queensland School of Journalism and Communication.

Said he: "The ongoing development of the independent media and free press is vital for the furtherance of good governance and democracy in the region.

"This project addresses and builds upon the expressed needs of media practitioners in upgrading their skills and work practices, thus enabling them to better serve their newspaper and magazine readers, television viewers, radio listeners and online consumers."

The project will commence immediately, with an anticipated launch date of October 2012 for the online programme.

Deputy High Commissioner Oppenheim says that the British government is very pleased to assist PasiMA with this important work.

"We've been closely involved in the research that identified the training needs this project will address," he says. "We look forward to working with PasiMA to see this important project through to fruition."

PasiMA Administrative Director Ana Currie, who is based in Hawai'i, will serve as project manager in support of a 12-member project team.

The primary organizational goals of PasiMA are to:
• Promote and defend values of media freedom;
• Promote and uphold ethical practices and standards;
• Promote and develop good governance and professionalism;
• Facilitate and provide training and education for media in the Pacific region.

PasiMA is guided by a 7-member Board of Directors, led by an Executive Committee that includes Savea Sano Malifa (Editor-in-Chief of Samoa Observer) as Chair, Kalafi Moala (Publisher and CEO of Tonga's Taimi Media Network) as Vice Chair and John Woods (Managing Editor of Cook Islands News) as Secretary-Treasurer.

PasiMA's website (http://www.pacificmedia.org) features a real-time feed of Pacific news from content providers around the region, as well as updates on critical media freedom issues in the region.

PASIFIKA MEDIA ASSOCIATION • P.O. BOX 1572 APIA, SAMOA • www.pacificmedia.org

-END-

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[pima.nius] Labour to establish new public broadcaster for the digital age

2:21 PM |

Clare

CURRAN

Broadcasting Spokesperson

Spokesperson for Communications and IT

1 November 2011 MEDIA STATEMENT
Labour to establish new public broadcaster for the digital age

Kiwis will be asked to help shape a new, non-commercial, modern public broadcaster to be established under a Labour Government.

Announcing Labour's broadcasting policy today spokesperson Clare Curran said it would bring together elements of non-commercial public broadcasting that already exist, including the statutorily independent functions of TVNZ7 and Radio NZ, to both strengthen and broaden them in the digital environment.

The new broadcaster, which may also include a nationwide news service, will be based on the outcomes of a nationwide public debate, to be completed within one year of Labour winning office.

"A strong, independent, free public broadcasting media service not driven by commercial interests is essential to an informed democracy," Clare Curran said.

"Labour's commitment to restoring public broadcasting in New Zealand marks an important change towards a contemporary Kiwi approach to protecting and promoting New Zealand's culture in the 21^st Century.

"The current Government axed TVNZ7 and stripped TVNZ of its public charter. We are currently one of the very few countries in the world without a public television broadcaster.

"A responsible government invests in public broadcasting in order to meet the needs of a diverse society and ensure that quality local content is both produced and delivered.

"A public debate will allow New Zealanders to have their say on the shape of future public broadcasting.

"That debate will also include a discussion of the institutional form, legislative framework and range of funding options, including the use of existing assets and dividend streams, and other international models, such as those used in Europe and the United States," Clare Curran said.

Labour will also:

encourage a stronger representative voice in the broadcasting and New Zealand content sector, particularly with reference to the impact of new media.
continue to encourage the screen production industry. Funding through NZ On Air will continue at present levels, but with a review of the organisation, its goals and objectives, and its models for allocating its funding to local content.
investigate the merits of providing special tax status to low-profit limited liability content development companies which are New Zealand owned who commit to a defined programme of re-investment in their business, in order to encourage a competitive environment in New Zealand digital media.
review free to air Pasifika content and look at ethnic broadcasting content with a view to supporting better programming outcomes for the diverse cultures of New Zealand.

"Labour believes our plan is bold and future focused. New Zealand wants it and definitely needs it. We'll support New Zealand content and we'll provide a stronger mechanism to deliver it," Clare Curran said.

Contact: Clare Curran 0212421813

Authorised by Clare Curran, Parliament Buildings Wellington

Vikki Carter

Press Secretary
Office of Hon Phil Goff
04) 817 9915 | 021 241 8466

facebook.com/philgoff.labour | twitter.com/phil_goff | labour.org.nz

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pima.nius@gmail.com
aotearoa, new zealand
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Tuesday, August 30, 2011

[pima.nius] Results website frustrates Pacific Games fans

11:37 AM |

Results website frustrates Pacific Games fans

http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/pacbeat/stories/201108/s3305327.htm

Updated August 30, 2011 10:34:54

The website for the Pacific Games is still not showing any results four days after the games kicked off in New Caledonia.

Officials are hopeful the site will be up and running later in the week.

Presenter: Campbell Cooney
Speker: Geraldine Coutts, Radio Australia reporter

Listen:
Windows Media

COUTTS: He had 150 tablets of steroids, illegal substances, thyroid pills and diuretics and the combination of course enhances performance and then masks the drugs in the system within a 24 hour period. But the reason that the police had persisted and pushed it to court is because they don't believe his story that it was for personal use. They claim that amount was for the potential for him to deal, and so they weren't letting it go and take it lightly. And apart from everything else, they're illegal substances and officials have been overt in their message to the athletes even before they came to the games, don't take drugs because you'll be caught, because they're going to have at least 350 random tests throughout the course of the games. So beware is the message to the athletes. But yeah, two o'clock this afternoon Cam, they'll be going to court. He still hasn't been named. I guess by practice of elimination I could have worked it out, but then if we had a website that worked that gave us all the details of the athletes we could do that. But the gods are against us, the planets haven't yet lined up for the organisers of the media centre just yet.

COONEY: Yeah we'll get to the website because it is causing some problems. I'm curious if there's been any response from the Tahitian team at this stage Gero?

COUTTS: No pretty quiet, no messages at all, no press conferences, actually you could say you ring the team managers and it's no comment because it's before the courts, the usual message, they don't want to prejudice themselves before they go to court this afternoon. It's fair enough I guess, but absolutely silent, they're not even saying who it is, and I asked at a press conference yesterday if it was automatic suspension from the games, would he be sent home? And the organisers, outlook a whitewash again, wouldn't commit to that either and said no, no, they'd be an investigation, a full investigation � but it's beyond doubt, the man was caught with 150 tablets in his luggage, so it's beyond doubt he was in possession. And yet they're still committing to even sending him home.

COONEY: Alright now you mentioned there if the website was working, because I understand this is causing some major frustrations over there, the fact that it is not working, it's not giving good results?

COUTTS: Well it's not giving any results. I went on this morning in the faint hope that I'd be able to give you a medal tally. There's not a medal on it, they just cannot get it up and running, and so there are no results. So between us, all of the journalists, when we go out to the various venues and get results and all the rest of it, we bring it back and share it amongst ourselves, which is how we're getting the results that we've got. And if it's an event that hasn't been visited by a journalist, there are no results. Look Frederico(?), the guy in the media centre, he's just lovely, outstanding working his fingers to the bone, but the fact is why wasn't this tested? It should have been months ago, why did it come down to the line that it's fallen over, well it hasn't fallen over, it hasn't got up to fall over, there is absolutely nothing in the website. It's beautiful, it will do all sorts of things once it gets up and running.

COONEY: Just not give you results?

COUTTS: No, no results, so they're saying not today, maybe tomorrow, so hopefully some time this week they'll actually be able to get it up and running, then it'll be a snap, because it's a beautiful website, it just doesn't give you results.

COONEY: Alright now look Tonga's table tennis campaign has taken a bit of a stall, they haven't even made it to New Caledonia yet, they're stuck in Brisbane. Any news on what's happened with these guys or why they've been delayed?

COUTTS: Look I rang the Tongan officials yesterday, they're not really sure and are a bit sketchy, but nine of them, that's the table tennis team, other sports in Tonga are actually here, so we're only talking about Tonga's table tennis team, stuck in Brisbane. Now we've got an assortment of reasons, and I emphasis this is just an assortment of reasons, we haven't had any confirmation. One is that a number of teams have had difficulty getting visas to transit through Australia, another is that one of the table tennis teammates missed the flight, so they decided to wait for him, so they're all hold up in Brisbane. But I suggest that's not the case, I think it'd be something more official as their hold-up in Brisbane for this amount of time. So the finger maybe is pointing more towards visa difficulties, but that cannot be confirmed, this is just hearsay at this stage and there are a lot more reasons. But because they didn't turn up New Caledonia got forfeits in the men's and women's teams events yesterday. Officials say look when and if they do turn up, they'll be allowed into the competition, as long as they arrive before the start, at the various events like the singles, the doubles and the mixed doubles, if they arrive after those events have started, forfeit will come again. But really at this stage no idea as to why they're still in Brisbane. But visas look like it might be the reason.

COONEY: Alright now good results for Papua New Guinea in the pool?

COUTTS: Oh Ryan Pini, look he is an absolute champion, I think two times in the Olympics, gold medal in the Commonwealth Games. He got gold last night in the 200 metres free, one of his pet events. He must have been foxing in the heats because he only got the fourth fastest time, but then in the final, floored it and came home with gold. Look I'd love to tell you about the events, because I left before they were on, but he was also to be in the 100 metre butterfly and the relay, but I don't know about that and as I've already mentioned the website, but I'm guessing that in the fly he would have done pretty well because he's had so much international competition he is being chased by all-comers now. So it's good for the up and comers to try and chase him and get there. But let's remember, Ryan Pini is now 29, so he's getting to that area of his career that he might be thinking about hanging up the togs. Speaking of hanging up the togs, in the body building thing, just going back to that for a moment, the officials warned very carefully to the men, no padding in your bathers, and for the women please cover your derrieres to at least two-thirds. This is New Caledonia, we're a Christian country, blah, blah, blah. No padding in your togs boys, and cover your derriere girls.

COONEY: Now protests yesterday I understand too, what's happening here?

COUTTS: Engla ZaZah in 500 metre mens, Fiji lodged a complaint that wound up going for three hours over Samoa, they reckon that Samoa finished out of its lane. Samoa countered by saying well if we finished out of our lanes, so did everybody else. Now that's not to suggest that they were playing dodgems and were banging into each other crossing the lane, they all started in the incorrect lanes, which was the argument that Samoa made. And so officials dismissed it saying well you're in the lane, and they said well why don't you dismiss them all, and they said because you were the only ones that had a complaint lodged against you. So that was not upheld, so then Samoa decided they'd lodge a complaint against the officials, which then made the complaints go on and on and on. So that was dismissed in the end as well. So three hours it took, it held up that particular 500 metres, and in the end, bad luck.

COONEY: Look very quickly what's on the agenda for the day, what's the big one?

COUTTS: Look I think that I'm going to go to the weightlifting because there's some big names coming up and at some stage I'd like to catch up with Dika Toua, who is the PNG women's champion. She's back for the first time now after having had a baby. So it'll be really interesting to see how she goes there. Za'a finishes again this afternoon, so the pool again will be on this afternoon, and we'll hopefully find out what's going there. But there's lots of medals on offer at the moment as the games heat up. So they'll be a variety of events and results.

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pima.nius@gmail.com
aotearoa, new zealand
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[pima.nius] COURT ORDERS TONGAN NOBLE EVICTED FROM HOME

11:35 AM |

COURT ORDERS TONGAN NOBLE EVICTED FROM HOME
'Akau'ola refuses to vacate former government property

http://pidp.eastwestcenter.org/pireport/2011/August/08-30-05.htm

NUKUALOFA, Tonga (Matangi Tonga, Aug. 29, 2011) – The family of 'Akau'ola, the Special Adviser to the Tongan Prime Minister, were evacuated under police supervision from a private property on Hala Tupoulahi on Friday afternoon, 26 August, after defying a court order to leave.

'Akau'ola and his family had refused to move from the property, a former government flat, which was among several government properties that were tendered and sold late last year.

A Nuku'alofa accountant, Sitiveni 'Esau bid for the property and won. He paid the remaining 80 percent of the total value of the property of about $160,000 on 22 November 2010, and was issued with the land deeds.

However, since November last year, Sitiveni and his family had not been able to move into their new home, because the occupants, 'Akau'ola and his family refused to leave.

The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Tonga on 28 July ordered for 'Akau'ola to vacate the property within 28 days.

The removal time was up at noon on Thursday, 25 August, but by Friday 26 August, Sitiveni said that 'Akau'ola and his family were still at his property and had not complied with the court order.

On Friday, the Supreme Court ordered the police to "take possession" of the property.

Sitiveni said that 'Akau'ola was not at home when he arrived with the police to take possession of his property, but 'Akau'ola's wife was there. She pleaded for more time so that they could talk to their lawyer, but Sitiveni pointed out that there was a Court Order for them to vacate the property, and this time it was for him to take possession of the property, so they had to move out immediately.

"But we have no home to go to," pleaded Mrs 'Akau'ola.

Sitiveni 'Esau asks Mrs 'Akau'ola to leave his property

Sitiveni said he could not put up any longer with 'Akau'ola's delaying tactics, because even his nine months rent of $300 a month for the flat where he had been staying since November 2010 had not been repaid by 'Akau'ola, as agreed in an out of court settlement of costs on 28 July.

Sitveni had to take the case to the court because the officials from the Ministry of Public Enterprises who sold the property had not become involved in the process of removing 'Akau'ola.

Sitiveni said that he had become aware that because of 'Akau'ola's high position in government as the special advisor to the prime minister that civil servants were scared of losing their jobs if they became actively involved in the problem.

One of the reasons why the court hearing was delayed for so long was because the relevant officers from the Ministry of Public Enterprises were not available to attend the hearing.

"I can't believe that this could happen in this day and age," said Sitiveni, who said the saga was "extremely stressful - I feel as though I have run a marathon to get here."

He understood that 'Akau'ola came to live in the house when he was a civil servant, the CEO of Civil Aviation under the government of Prince Lavaka 'Ata 'Ulukalala, but had continued to live there after he resigned from government in 2007 when he became a highly-paid consultant.

Matangi Tonga: www.matangitonga.to
Copyright © 2009 Matangi Tonga. All Rights Reserved

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pacific islands media association
pima.nius@gmail.com
aotearoa, new zealand
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Thursday, August 25, 2011

[pima.nius] No chance for Fiji dictatorship over Forum, says Tuilaepa

11:38 AM |

No chance for Fiji dictatorship over Forum, says Tuilaepa

14:14 August 25, 2011 0 comments

http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2011/08/no-chance-for-fiji-dictatorship-over-forum-says-tuilaepa/

Pacific Scoop:
Report – By Tupuola Terry Tavita in Apia

The embattled coup-installed military regime in Fiji should not be a focus in next month's Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting in Auckland, says the Samoan prime minister.

The question was put to Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi by Savali this week if there is any chance Fiji can again be suggested to rejoin the Forum in the Auckland leaders meeting.

"What for?" asked Tuilaepa. "The regime there is getting worse."

Asked to clarify this comment, he added: "Well, there are reports that Bainimarama is paying himself five different ministerial salaries from the five different ministerial portfolios he's overseeing. That's on top of his salary as Prime Minister. The Attorney-General is reportedly also doing the same.

"And they are both being paid through an accounting firm owned by the AG's aunt- from cash paid directly from the different ministries. That system ensures that no one else knows the totality of the fortnightly salaries of the PM and his AG.

"In our democratic system where transparency and accountability prevail, the prime minister or a minister can only draw one salary regardless of that minister's many responsibilities. All the payments are in black and white. There are no grey areas.

"Elsewhere where good governance policies and best practices are absent, dictators help themselves to public money and feel no urge to go back to democracy.

"He (Bainimarama) and his Attorney-General are both into this little scam that's costing Fijian taxpayers millions of dollars. They're both looking after themselves. Why then should the Forum allow Fiji back in when the regime there is not demonstrating any genuine effort to return the county to democracy, to good governance principles – in all its forms and manifestations – the Forum upholds?"

Academic freedom
It has been alleged that University of the South Pacific's economics professor Wadan Narsey – who has presented critical, but objective, views of the military regime for Pacific Scoop and many other publications – has been forced to resign from pressure exerted by the Fiji government, through the university administration.

"It is extremely worrying when politics starts to interfere with academic independence. You then start to question the standard of education at USP and the teaching environment there.

"Especially as USP is collectively-owned by Forum countries and not just Fiji . The irony is that the pressure is coming from an uneducated military dictator who has never studied at a university."

This week, trade unions in Fiji issued a joint statement asking media outlets in the country to publish and broadcast balanced news item, instead of the one way anti-union pro-regime propaganda that people in Fiji have been receiving.

"That's the reality of military dictatorships. There is no freedom of expression, no media independence and any critical views are hushed up – silenced. It's all shotgun news now in Fiji ," Tuilaepa said.

The planned Methodist annual conference scheduled later this week has again been cancelled by the military regime with reports that some of the senior church leaders have been sent to the barracks and interrogated by the military.

"If 200,000 Christian women marched for their freedom as the Filipino women did against their own dictator Ferdinand Marcos, the Christian soldiers of the Christian army will just fold their arms and let them through. They will not dare touch their Christian mothers, aunts, nieces, cousins and sisters," Tuilaepa said.

Tupuola Terry Tavita is editor of the Samoan government newspaper Savali.

Pacific Scoop Pacific Islands Forum stories

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pima.nius@gmail.com
aotearoa, new zealand
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[pima.nius] Tuvalu PM to remain in power

11:36 AM |

Tuvalu PM to remain in power

http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/pacbeat/stories/201108/s3302286.htm

Updated August 25, 2011 16:23:59

Tuvalu's Prime Minister Willy Telavi will remain in power after a critical by-election fell the governments way.

Ultimately just 62 votes was the difference between the government keeping its wafer thin majority or a new administration taking power.

Presenter: Cameron Wilson
Speaker: Pelenike Tekinene Isaia, new Tuvalu MP

Listen:
Windows Media

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pima.nius@gmail.com
aotearoa, new zealand
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Wednesday, August 24, 2011

[pima.nius] The writing's on the wall

12:19 PM |

--------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Fiji Torture Watch <fijitorturewatch@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 23 Aug 2011 12:25:32 +1200
Subject: The writing's on the wall
To: lisa.lahari@gmail.com

Taken on the morning of 23 August 2011, these photos show somebody's dissent
displayed on walls and bus stops along the Suva to Nausori corridor.
Soldiers were seen painting over spray painted words that read "PM YOU LIER"
on a bus stop wall. Other road workers stood at the bus stop on the opposite
side blocking the view of large letters which read "REVOLOTION BEGINS". At
Karsanji Street, a sign mysteriously appeared in the space of 20 minutes
reading "BAINIMARAMA U EVIL LEADER"

--
Lisa Williams-Lahari
Media Freelancer
Regional Coordinator, IFJ Pacific Media for Democracy and Human Rights
Project
Ph Mobile: 677-7574230
Skype: lisalahari

* "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that
matter."-- Martin Luther King Jr. *

--
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[pima.nius] PNG: Mobile phones in rural villages a 'double-edged sword', says researcher

12:18 PM |

Title – 7586 PNG: Mobile phones in rural villages a 'double-edged sword', says researcher

Date – 24 August 2011

Byline – None

Origin – Pacific Media Watch

Source – Queensland University of Technology, 24/8/11

Status – Unabridged

----------------------------

* Pacific Media Watch Online - check the website for archive and links:

www.pacmediawatch.aut.ac.nz

* Post a comment on this story at PMW Right of Reply:

pmediawa@aut.ac.nz

* Pacific Media Centre on Twitter - http://twitter.com/pacmedcentre

MOBILE PHONES IN PNG RURAL VILLAGES 'DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD', SAYS RESEARCHER

http://www.pmc.aut.ac.nz/pacific-media-watch/png-mobile-phones-rural-villages-double-edged-sword-says-researcher-7586

BRISBANE (Queensland University of Technology/Pacific Media Watch): The introduction of mobile phones in rural villages in Papua New Guinea is seen as a double-edged sword, with communities welcoming the opportunity to communicate but fearing it will lead to family breakdowns.

A study by Queensland University of Technology (QUT) researcher Amanda Watson has explored the way new mobile technology, in areas which did not have landline, internet or electricity access, has been changing people's lives, social structures and relationships.

"We are talking about rural areas which had little or no access to modern communication technologies and in many instances were still using traditional forms of communication such as the drum," Watson said.

Watson, who is completing her PhD with QUT's Creative Industries Faculty, said the study of almost 750 people from 10 villages found that while most people were generally positive about the communication benefits of mobile phones, it was how they were using the technology that was most surprising.

"Instead of using mobile phones for business or to improve their economic status, people related the benefits mostly to the enhanced communications they could have with family and friends who were living away from home villages," she said.

"It suggests that social uses of the technology, rather than functional uses such as searching for jobs or coordinating logistics, mark the key benefit felt by rural villagers in PNG."

But Watson said there were also concerns that mobile phone technology was leading to marriage breakdowns.

"For example we were hearing stories about someone seeing their partner engage in a private conversation using a mobile phone, either talking quietly or text messaging, and this was causing jealously and tension within the marriage," she said.

"So there was definitely this feeling that mobile phones were leading to more instances of marriages falling apart."

Watson said there were also difficulties associated with owning mobile phones such as the cost of the calls and the logistical challenges of charging a handset battery without easy access to mains power.

She said by identifying the negatives linked to mobile phones, it was hoped that policy and practices could be introduced to overcome these challenges.

"Efforts to reduce usage costs, enable easier recharging and designing more robust handsets would allow for increased use of mobile phones for a range of purposes," Watson said.

"I think mobile phone services in rural areas present a big change in these places where they've missed out on most steps in the evolution of technology, but it is an important change and worth documenting."

(cc) Creative Commons

* More Pacific media research: http://www.pmc.aut.ac.nz/research

* Comment on this item: pmediawa@aut.ac.nz

+++niuswire

PACIFIC MEDIA WATCH ONLINE

www.pacmediawatch.aut.ac.nz

PACIFIC MEDIA WATCH is a media and educational resource compiled by the AUT Pacific Media Centre for the Pacific region.

http://creativecommons.org

Items are provided solely for review purposes as a non-profit educational service. Copyright remains the property of the original producers as indicated in the header. Recipients should seek permission

from the copyright owner for any publishing. Copyright owners not wishing their materials to be posted by PMW please contact us. The views expressed in material listed by PMW are not necessarily the views

of PMW or the Pacific Media Centre.

For further information or joining the Pacific Media Watch listserve, visit:

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Email:

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[pima.nius] Introducing the NZ Pacific Island Sports Awards

12:15 PM |

Fakalofa atu & Happy Mid-Week everyone,

Please find attached the NZ Pacific Island Sports Awards information letter from Tuigamala Va'aiga "Inga the Winger" Tuigamala (Founder) and NZPISA President Jannitta Pilisi.

The NZ Pacific Island Sports Awards Dinner and Ball on Saturday 5th November 2011 is not exclusive to Pacific sportsmen or sportswomen and their families. All parts of NZ's Pacific community from our Sportspeople, to our Community and Culture groups, our Entertainers and Artists, our Health and Justice sectors, to our Education providers, as well as our Businesses and our Churches are very welcome.

Corporate tables start from $3,500 and include entry, dinner, drinks, entertainment and the Awards Ball. The event will be televised by TVNZ on 4 Dec 2011. Single ticket sales are also available from the beginning of September.

Please feel free to pass this message on to anyone who may be interested in attending. Apologies for double-posting. All contact information is available in the letter.

Fa'afetai lava and kindest regards,

Lee. A for
Jannitta Pilisi BA.LLB
President - NZPISA

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pacific islands media association
pima.nius@gmail.com
aotearoa, new zealand
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Tuesday, August 23, 2011

[pima.nius] FIJI: Samoa's Savali blasts 'propaganda-promoting journalists'

11:28 AM |

Title – 7585 FIJI: Samoa's Savali blasts 'propaganda-promoting journalists'

Date – 23 August 2011

Byline – None

Origin – Pacific Media Watch

Source – Savali News, 22/8/11

Status – Unabridged

----------------------------

* Pacific Media Watch Online - check the website for archive and links:

www.pacmediawatch.aut.ac.nz

* Post a comment on this story at PMW Right of Reply:

pmediawa@aut.ac.nz

* Pacific Media Centre on Twitter - http://twitter.com/pacmedcentre

SAMOA'S SAVALI BLASTS 'PROPAGANDA-PROMOTING JOURNALISTS'

http://www.pmc.aut.ac.nz/pacific-media-watch/fiji-samoas-savali-blasts-propaganda-promoting-journalists-7585

APIA (Savali News/Pacific Media Watch): The lack of balanced reporting to the point of promoting regime propaganda in the Fiji media, and the subsequent silence from media freedom groups in the region, has prompted Savali News to issue a statement.

This week, Fiji's trade union bodies asked that country's media outlets not to report what they see as one-sided pro-government news. And that, to either publish balanced news items, or nothing at all.

Pro-regime newspaper Fiji Sun, Radio Fiji and Fiji TV were named by the Fiji Trade Union Congress and the Fiji Islands Council of Trade Unions in a joint press release.

Asked for comment, the editor of the Savali newspaper, Tupuola Terry Tavita, had this to say: "It has been known in regional media circles for some years now that there are many so-called journalists in Fiji who willingly – and actively – promote the military regime there. They come to regional media workshops and bad-mouth the regime then go back home and voluntarily write and promote regime propaganda.

"They're hypocrites.

"Several times, it was suggested to some in the independent Fiji media to make use of regional media networks to go around the government censors. To have their stuff that can't be published in Fiji published elsewhere in the region where media freedom thrives like Samoa and the Cook Islands.

"But they (Fijian journalists) are not interested. They come up with all sorts of excuses instead. I can't believe that in this age of emails, fax machines and phone texting there is absolutely nothing coming out of Fiji. In fact, we only ever read about the truth of what's really going on there from the New Zealand and Australian media.

"It's an insult to Pacific media.The lack of leadership from Fiji-based regional media groups like PINA also contributes to this environment," said the Savali editor.

"I don't blame the Fijian journos too much as they are only taking their cue from the spineless PINA organisation whose executive is also too busy kissing up, and looking for favours, from the Bainimarama regime. You know, when the big crab crawls with a limp, the little crabs limp after him."

But he adds. "The situation in Fiji is like any other crisis elsewhere. There are those who lose out and there are those who position themselves to take advantage of the situation.

"The media also has its share of opportunists. Journalists, editors and news directors who agreeably choose to promote the regime-of-the-day.

"They've become part of the problem, Bainimarama's willing and able soldiers in the media. They've essentially become part of the propaganda machine. The regime's critics become their enemies, and those friendly to the regime become their friends also. You can easily pick that out by what – and how – they publish and broadcast the news.

"In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if many of these Fijian journalists are calling up Bainimarama and suggesting news angles that make him look good.

"Savali newspaper – published by the Samoan government under the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet – has been critical of the coup-installed regime in Fiji since it took power, December 2006."

* Fiji Trade Union Congress on the media:

http://www.pmc.aut.ac.nz/pacific-media-watch/fiji-unions-criticise-being-shut-out-pro-regime-news-7584

* Comment on this item: pmediawa@aut.ac.nz

+++niuswire

PACIFIC MEDIA WATCH ONLINE

www.pacmediawatch.aut.ac.nz

PACIFIC MEDIA WATCH is a media and educational resource compiled by the AUT Pacific Media Centre for the Pacific region.

http://creativecommons.org

of PMW or the Pacific Media Centre.

For further information or joining the Pacific Media Watch listserve, visit:

http://mailman.aut.ac.nz/mailman/listinfo/pacific_media_watch_list

Email:

pmc@aut.ac.nz

Fax: (+649) 921 9987

SnailMail: Pacific Media Centre, School of Communication Studies, AUT

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pima nius

updates from (PIMA) the pacific islands media association . aotearoa . new zealand . pima.nius@gmail.com

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

[pima.nius] Fwd: [pacific-journos] NZ: Pacific journalists reach ten-year milestone-- PFF

1:47 PM |

Monday, October 31, 2011

[pima.nius] Press Release from Pasifika Media Association

2:22 PM |

[pima.nius] Labour to establish new public broadcaster for the digital age

2:21 PM |

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

[pima.nius] Results website frustrates Pacific Games fans

11:37 AM |

Results website frustrates Pacific Games fans

[pima.nius] COURT ORDERS TONGAN NOBLE EVICTED FROM HOME

11:35 AM |

Thursday, August 25, 2011

[pima.nius] No chance for Fiji dictatorship over Forum, says Tuilaepa

11:38 AM |

No chance for Fiji dictatorship over Forum, says Tuilaepa

[pima.nius] Tuvalu PM to remain in power

11:36 AM |

Tuvalu PM to remain in power

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

[pima.nius] The writing's on the wall

12:19 PM |

[pima.nius] PNG: Mobile phones in rural villages a 'double-edged sword', says researcher

12:18 PM |

[pima.nius] Introducing the NZ Pacific Island Sports Awards

12:15 PM |

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

[pima.nius] FIJI: Samoa's Savali blasts 'propaganda-promoting journalists'

11:28 AM |

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