MASI aims to develop regional journalism

Media Association of Solomon Islands president and USP Journalism alumni Charles Kadamana with wantok student journalists Rosalie Nongebatu, left, and Elizabeth Osifelo. Picture: HARRISON SELMEN/WANSOLWARA

By WANSOLWARA STAFF

The Media Association of Solomon Islands (MASI) will work closely with USP Journalism to develop journalists in the region, says MASI president Charles Kadamana.

According to Kadaman, past collaboration with USP Journalism had been successful including a recent week-long training on anti-corruption reporting in the Solomon Islands.

He said the training was very timely as the Solomon Islands Government was in the process of debating the Anti-Corruption Bill.

“In Solomon Islands, there are about 36 journalism alumni now holding top jobs in the media industry, the government and in the private sectors,” said Kadamana, who was a distinguished guest at the recent 18^th USP Journalism Students Awards ceremony at Laucala campus in Suva.

“Looking at the list of journalism alumni, it is evident that the USP Journalism Programme has produced a lot of communications professionals in different areas contributing to our countries. Fiji and other Pacific country too also have USP Journalism alumni in top posts.

“Today, there is growing interest of journalists studying at USP. I am also happy to see the number of students from Solomon Islands is increasing.”

As educated young people, Kadamana encouraged student journalists to take up leadership roles, adding taking up journalism was not an easy task.

“There will be people who will stab you in the back. To avoid disaster, all you have to do is produce the results. Do not be the person who only wants the position for status and glory,” Kadamana said.

The former USP Journalism alumni said the University had been the breeding ground for nurturing future journalists to meet the needs of the region over the past 50 years.