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
Copyright – SN
Status – Unabridged
----------------------------
* Pacific Media Watch Online - check the website for archive and links:

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

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

SAMOA'S SAVALI BLASTS 'PROPAGANDA-PROMOTING JOURNALISTS'

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:

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

+++niuswire

PACIFIC MEDIA WATCH ONLINE

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

(c)1996-2010 Creative Commons

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:

Email:
SnailMail: Pacific Media Centre, School of Communication Studies, AUT 
University, Private Bag 92006, Auckland 1142, Aotearoa/New Zealand

_______________________________________________
Pacific_Media_Watch nius mailing list 


_______________________________________________
Pacific_media_watch_list mailing list
Pacific_media_watch_list@aut.ac.nz
http://mailman.aut.ac.nz/mailman/listinfo/pacific_media_watch_list




--
----------------------------------------
pacific islands media association
pima.nius@gmail.com
aotearoa, new zealand
----------------------------------------
The pima.nius googlegroup is a facility for discussion and distributing information regarding the Pacific Islands Media Association (PIMA). Content sent by this googlegroup are forwarded from various networks and media publications to keep you informed about aspects of the media industry. 

These emails are unedited and discussions made through this googlegroup are unmoderated. Announcements made through this googlegroup do not constitute endorsement for the organisations, individuals or opinions featured. Please check the integrity of organisations and individuals before exchanging personal information with them. 

--
----------------------------------------
pacific islands media association
pima.nius@gmail.com
aotearoa, new zealand
----------------------------------------
The pima.nius googlegroup is a facility for discussion and distributing information. Content sent by this googlegroup are forwarded from various networks and media publications.
 
DISCLAIMER: These emails are unedited and discussions made through this googlegroup are unmoderated. Announcements made through this googlegroup do not constitute endorsement for the organisations, individuals or opinions featured. Please check the integrity of organisations and individuals before exchanging personal information with them.
 
- - - - - - - - -
comment here:
http://groups.google.com/group/pima-nius/topics?hl=en
 
send an email comment here:
pima-nius@googlegroups.com
 
unsubscribe:
pima-nius+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
 
more options
http://groups.google.com/group/pima-nius?hl=en?hl=en
 
- - - - - - - - -

0 comments: