Monday, May 3, 2010

[pima.nius] Media advocate calls for new Pacific free press approach

12:51 PM |

Media advocate calls for new Pacific free press approach

8:35 May 3, 2010Articles, Pacific Headlines 0 comments

http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2010/05/media-advocate-calls-for-new-pacific-free-press-approach/

Pacific Scoop:
Report – By Pacific Media Watch in Brisbane.

A Cook Islands free press advocate has called for news activists to borrow a leaf out of the regional HIV/AIDS campaign book to give Pacific news media a new bill of health.

Speaking at the UNESCO World Press Freedom Day global conference at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Lisa Williams-Lahari said media advocates could learn a lot from the tactics of the HIV/AIDS campaign in the Pacific.

Williams, founder of the Pacific Islands Journalism Online network and WAVE women's media advocacy group, said that in the 1980s HIV/AIDS had been regarded by the media as somebody else's problem – "it was seen as a death sentence by God to gay men, adulterers and prostitutes".

Later, it was often reported on through "talking heads" – many from the church – and in the context of ethics, stigma and discrimination.

However, at the 1998 Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) conference in French Polynesia, a young Tahitian journalism graduate from the University of the South Pacific, Maire Bopp du Pont, herself HIV-Positive spoke out against media "fear mongering" over the issue. (See also Scoop investigation, Time Runs Out On South Pacific HIV/AIDS Crisis.)

Williams said the journalist's courage had opened up a media space exploring cultural, social, sexual and religious "taboos" and challenged the Pacific media to rethink coverage of sensitive issues.

This led to Bopp winning the PINA Media Freedom Award the following year and her path of media advocacy, including the establishment of the Cook Islands-based Pacific Islands Aids Foundation.

Apply lessons
Williams said journalists now needed to apply the lessons from the HIV/AIDS public health challenge to the way they addressed issues of ethics, freedom, truth and accountability in the Pacific media.

She described the problems facing the region's journalism as a challenge of "crisis proportions".

Speaking about a controversy over the future of Suva-based PINA and a heated debate about whether the regional body and its news service Pacnews should relocate from Fiji, Williams said journalists needed to seek greater accountability and transparency about their own media industry.

"We will always have our dictators or tyrants [in the Pacific]. But we need to get our own house in order," she said.

Susuve Laumaea, co-chair of the Pacific Freedom Forum and a columnist for the Sunday Chronicle in Papua New Guinea, said the Pacific media faced many threats.

"We have a monarchy in Tonga, a military dictatorship in Fiji and a constitutional democracy in Papua New Guinea. All the other nations in the Pacific that are independent face a diverse list of problems," he said.

Savea Sano Malifa, publisher of the Samoa Observer and one of the veteran Pacific media freedom campaigners, spoke about hypocrisy towards Fiji.

Samoan media laws

"Where is the free and peaceful Pacific? There is no freedom and no peace," he said.

"Samoa is not free. Fiji is not free. PNG is not free. Solomon Islands is not free."

While the Samoan prime minister had been criticising the Fiji regime leader Commander Voreqe Bainimarama over the draconian draft media decree, Samoa had its own controversial media laws, including criminal libel, which had chilled media freedom.

Fiji Times deputy editor Sophie Foster spoke of a survey she had conducted which indicated "100 percent" of journalists consulted believed they had been affected by the censorship regime over the past year.

"The truth is hidden by censorship," she said, adding that they did no believe their watchdog role was a threat to "national security".

Other journalists spoke of her courage in speaking out about Fiji.

In the second day of the media freedom conference, a Chilean journalist, Monica Gonzalez Mujica, a heroine of the struggle against the Pinochet dictatorship in her country, will be awarded the Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Award.

Source: Pacific Media Watch.

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aotearoa, new zealand
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[pima.nius] Political storm in Tonga

12:50 PM |

Political Storm in Tonga

http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/pacbeat/stories/201005/s2889130.htm

Updated May 3, 2010 17:24:03

A political storm is brewing in Tonga as the Attorney General has resigned amid claims that he fears democracy is slipping away. The Attorney General is John Cauchi an Australian, who says the government won't support his appointment of two independent prosecutors to investigate criminal matters after the ferry Princess Ashika sank last year. 74 people died when the ferry went down, and only two bodies were ever recovered. An inquiry into the sinking has been scathing about the government.

Presenter: Brigid Glanville
Speakers: Former Tongan attorney-general John Cauchi: Tongan Prime Minister, Fred Sevele

Listen:
Windows Media

[pima.nius] Will journalism ever escape being under attack?

12:49 PM |

Will journalism ever escape being under attack?

http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2010/05/will-journalism-ever-escape-being-under-attack/

16:38 May 3, 2010Articles, Pacific Headlines 0 comments

UNESCO is hosting the World Press Freedom Day conference at the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.

Pacific Scoop:
Report – By Vincent Murwira, in Auckland.

Journalism and press freedom will always be under threat, not just from technology but from the mighty and powerful.

"Everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of his choice" Article 19, Human Rights Charter.

Back in 1948, soon after World War 2, most governments worldwide signed the United Nations Human Rights Charter and agreed to uphold its principles which guarantee freedom of the press as a basic human right, among other rights.

Despite this commitment, many governments have failed to protect journalists and some have killed journalists with impunity, harassed them and tortured them and denied their citizens basic media freedoms. There are serial offenders in this regard, particularly in Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

Concerned by the increasing threats against journalists and denial of freedom of the press, a UNESCO sponsored seminar on "Promoting an Independent and Pluralistic African Press" meeting in Windhoek Namibia in 1991 called for the establishment, maintenance and fostering of an independent, pluralistic and free press. The seminar "emphasized the importance of a free press to the development and maintenance of democracy in a nation, and for economic development".

The seminar's Windhoek Declaration moved the United Nations so much so that in 1993 the General Assembly of the United Nations set aside May 3 as a day to be celebrated each year as World Press Freedom Day. May 3rd was the date on which the Windhoek Declaration was adopted.

Since then, May 3 has served as a chilling reminder to the public that many journalists brave death each time they go out on a news assignment or brave jail to bring people their daily news. The day also serves to highlight to the public the principles of press freedom, violations of the right to freedom of expression and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives while on assignment or due to the nature of their job.

Since 1992, just a year before World Press Freedom Day was adopted, 808 journalists have been killed in line of duty. So far this year more than 10 journalists have died in line of duty, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists worldwide.

Many other global organisations like the International Freedom of Expression eXchange (IFEX), the International Press Institute and Reporters Without Borders report similar chilling and graphic detail on violence against journalists.

According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which coordinates activities each year on May 3rd, World Press Freedom Day is:

• a day of action to encourage and develop initiatives in favor of the freedom of the press;

• a day to assess the state of press freedom worldwide;

• a day to remind governments to respect their commitments to press freedom;

• a day to alert the public and to increase awareness of the importance of freedom of the press;

• a day of reflection to encourage debate among media professionals on the issues of press freedom and professional ethics;

• a day of remembrance for journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession; and

• a day of support for media which fall victim to any measures which restrain, or seek to abolish, freedom of the press.

Vincent Murwira is a journalist who runs the blog www.theopennewsroom.blogspot.com and is also a media researcher. His research site is www.theopennewsroom.com.

Sunday, May 2, 2010

[pima.nius] Lunchtime Poetry Slam featuring Charlie Dark // Tuesday 4 May

5:51 PM |

Ni sa bula vinaka!

A unique event in our inaugural Manukau Pacific Arts Summit is tomorrow's LUNCHTIME POETRY SLAM! Working in partnership with the British Council, UK performance poet, DJ and producer Charlie Dark will be here in OTARA to perform alongside awesome local Pasifika poets including: Drew Harding (South Auckland Poets Collective), Ole Maiava, Courtney Meredith and Luisa Tora (Niu Waves Writer's Collective, Fiji).

The event is free and takes place on the Centre Stage of the Otara Town Centre from 12.30 - 1.30pm.

All welcome!

MANUKAU ARTS in partnership with the BRITISH COUNCIL are proud to present...

WHEN: 12.30 - 1.30pm, Tuesday 4 May

WHERE: Centre Stage, Otara Town Centre, Manukau City
LOCAL POETS: Drew Harding (South Auckland Poets Collective), Ole Maiava, Courtney Meredith and Luisa Tora (Niu Waves Writers Collective, Fiji)

The 2010 Manukau Pacific Arts Summit is brought to you by Manukau Arts, Manukau City Council

www.Manukau.govt.nz/pacificartssummit

Vinaka vakalevu | Naku noa na | Regards

Ema Tavola

Pacific Arts Co-ordinator | Manukau Arts | Community Directorate

Winner of the Work & Life / Diversity Initiative Award - EEO Trust Work & Life Awards 2009 and New Zealand Recreation Association Outstanding Park Award – Barry Curtis Park

Please consider the environment before printing this email

Attention:

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[pima.nius] Legal expert says Tonga not like Fiji yet

12:33 PM |

Legal expert says Tonga not like Fiji yet

http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/pacbeat/stories/201004/s2887312.htm

Updated April 30, 2010 16:12:31

John Cauchi's resignation as attorney-general in Tonga is a disappointing development for the rule of law, according to a prominent constitutional law expert. Professor Bill Hodge, of the Law Faculty of Auckland University in New Zealand, says Tonga can't be compared directly with Fiji as regards the relationship between the judiciary and the executive branch of government. But he says listening to John Cauchi's reasons for resigning, its clear that extremely troubling things are happening.

Presenter: Bruce Hill
Speaker: Professor Bill Hodge from the Law Faculty of Auckland University, New Zealand

Listen:
Windows Media

HODGE: First of all it's really quite inspirational to hear a legal officer responsible for the rule of law in a small island nation to speak so emphatically about the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary, separation of powers, that is core constitutional stuff. I'd love to use that in teaching in the constitutional law classes. It's basic rote constitutional law. But my second feeling is one of heartbreak, my feeling is tragedy because at the same time finally we've got democracy moving in Tonga, we've got elections coming up and I wonder, I'd like to be optimistic, and I'm wondering what will happen when a new 17 member popularly elected legislature parliament comes in and replaces this outgoing executive, to what extent can the situation be rescued. I'm not all doom and gloom, we do have light at the end of the tunnel later in this year, so perhaps, perhaps we can step toward a resurrection of the rule of law. But the most chilling thing is that the prospect of some prosecutions, I mean it's tragic that a boat sank, but it's also tragic that the sinking of a boat is sinking of judicial independence at the same time.

HILL: The former attorney general did made reference to Tonga to a certain extent going down the path already set out by Fiji as regards relations between the judiciary and the government. Do you think that he was overstating the case at all? Tonga's no Fiji, there's no coup or anything?

HODGE: No, no I think it's overstating in fact because right now we've got the King blessing this progress toward democracy. We do have elections set out for this year as opposed to whatever it is, 2014 if they do happen in Fiji. I'm going to cross my fingers and hope this is a blip, a very big blip, a spike in the progress to greater democracy, which is progressing this year. And I mean we've had such tremendous success in Tonga with this movement, and the King taking part in it. It was unforeseeable, unthinkable just 20 years ago that we'd be where we are now. So no, this isn't Fiji, not at all, but it is a characteristic of a small island state where the judges come from outside with outside funding, and they're always going to go if the outside funding isn't there or if they're not especially friendly to the executive. It's always been a sensitive point, I've never seen it erupt quite like this except in Fiji, and this is rare to this extent in the Pacific, with Fiji being the outer limit of the bad example.

HILL: Some of the judicial positions in Tonga are obviously paid for by the Commonwealth Secretariat or by Australia and New Zealand. Does what's happened there in Tonga pose in any sense a challenge for Australia and New Zealand? Should it just be business as usual?

HODGE: I think they should look very carefully at the tenure of judges, and just as judges who are from New Zealand and Australia probably rightly walked away from the loss of the rule of law in Fiji, I think they should just take a careful look. The tenure up there is short, and if you're compliant you might get a renewal, and if you're not then you go back home. It's just something to be extremely careful about, but at the same time I have to say being a judge in a small jurisdiction if you're from the jurisdiction is extremely difficult because your cousins will be on both sides in any major case. So it's just about not quite impossible, because Falefatu Sapolu in Samoa has done a very good job and hasn't been accused of any corruption, has managed to walk a tightrope between all of the family connections around the place. So it is possible, but I would be concerned about becoming a judge up in Tonga, but the governments of Australia and New Zealand will not want to undermine the progress that they're making, so I think they will cross fingers continue to support the rule of law in Tonga or try to return to it.

[pima.nius] AG Resigns - TONGA

12:28 PM |

PRESS RELEASE OF ATTORNEY GENERAL

ATTORNEY GENERAL RESIGNS

It is with regret that I have today tendered my resignation from the Office of Attorney General.

It has been my great privilege to return to Tonga to serve as the first independent Attorney-General.

I have had difficulty having that independent role accepted to the point where the Government has removed most if not all of my responsibilities. These have been allocated to either the Cabinet or the Minister of Justice. This is not the independence the Government said it wanted to achieve when it created the new Attorney General's position. The Minister of Justice is not the Attorney- General.

The Royal Commission into the sinking of the MV Princess Ashika has become a benchmark for transparency and openness never seen before in Tonga. The Commission should have been welcomed as assisting the Government to review its procedures especially with regard to major purchases and due diligence. The Commission exposed a level of maladministration and systemic failure which must be actively addressed by the Government and the Legislative Assembly. Instead there has been criticism of the commission and no active response on the part of the Government.

The prosecutions, arising from the sinking of the vessel and the Royal Commission hearings, must be allowed to take their course without interference. Those who have suffered most through the loss of their loved ones are entitled to expect nothing less.

The Government attempted to have the Commission's terms of reference modified before the final report was released. This is not widely known and will be denied.

The two events which have been the triggers in my decision are:

· The first direct appointment of a judge by the executive government without the recommendation of the Attorney General or the Judicial Services Commission. This does not comply with acceptable Constitutional practice and compromises the integrity of the Judiciary in Tonga;

· The decision by the Cabinet "not to support" the appointment of independent prosecutors to prosecute matters regarding the sinking of the MV Ashika, on the spurious grounds of the lack of funding.

On 22^nd April 2010 the Crown Law Department had its overall funding for 2010, including the amount sought for the Special Prosecutors, confirmed by the Ministry of Finance. The amount sought was approved by the Expenditure Review Committee and met all budgetary requirements. The Government has known since November 2009 of the intention to appoint special prosecutors.

I now have to add a third reason for my resignation.

Yesterday I was informed that the Government has taken steps to abolish the Judicial Services Commission and repeal the Judicial Services Commission Act. This is the final unconstitutional step required by the Government to destroy the integrity and the independence of the Judiciary. It guarantees the future selection of a judiciary which is not independent and beholden to the Government. There appears to be no opposition to this breach of Constitutional principles.

The action of the Government against my role and the independent judiciary has meant that my resignation is the best way for me to show that the Government's interest in independence is a highly qualified one.

I would like to sincerely thank all of the staff of the Crown Law office who continue to work professionally in difficult circumstances. They are an inspiration and fine lawyers who deserve better recognition and wider support from the community. (ENDS)

'Ofa-Ki-Levuka Louise Guttenbeil-Likiliki
P.O Box 2281
Nuku'alofa
Ph/Fax: (00676) 28 523

Mob: 14 625

[pima.nius] Welcome to our Pacific, world! WAVEmedia network members greet UNESCO leadership

12:27 PM |

http://picasaweb.google.com.au/lh/photo/ZLutELA_cFVYCTmzemWH1w?feat=directlink

Hi all check above link and updated photo album, feel free to use. For info on latest program updates and Pacific presenters, check out www.wpfd2010.org

regards, lis

Lisa Williams-Lahari
cell: (64) 0210642704

"More and more, if you're not in the digital conversation about your community, you're not in a conversation that matters"
-- Alberto Ibargüen, President, The Knight Foundation.

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

Monday, May 3, 2010

[pima.nius] Media advocate calls for new Pacific free press approach

12:51 PM |

Media advocate calls for new Pacific free press approach

[pima.nius] Political storm in Tonga

12:50 PM |

Political Storm in Tonga

[pima.nius] Will journalism ever escape being under attack?

12:49 PM |

Will journalism ever escape being under attack?

Sunday, May 2, 2010

[pima.nius] Lunchtime Poetry Slam featuring Charlie Dark // Tuesday 4 May

5:51 PM |

[pima.nius] Legal expert says Tonga not like Fiji yet

12:33 PM |

Legal expert says Tonga not like Fiji yet

[pima.nius] AG Resigns - TONGA

12:28 PM |

[pima.nius] Welcome to our Pacific, world! WAVEmedia network members greet UNESCO leadership

12:27 PM |

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

Monday, May 3, 2010

12:51 PM |

Media advocate calls for new Pacific free press approach

12:50 PM |

Political Storm in Tonga

12:49 PM |

Will journalism ever escape being under attack?

Sunday, May 2, 2010

5:51 PM |

12:33 PM |

Legal expert says Tonga not like Fiji yet

12:28 PM |

12:27 PM |

PIMA Nius

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Archives

12:51 PM |

12:50 PM |

12:49 PM |

5:51 PM |

12:33 PM |

12:28 PM |

12:27 PM |