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Pasifika and diversity strong ‘winners’ at AUT media awards

Some of the diversity award winners, donors and staff at the AUT School of Communication Studies awards last night: Malia Latu (from left). RNZ Pacific’s Moera Tuilaepa, MC Star Kata, Sri Krishnamurthi, Blessen Tom (holding the Storyboard), Jim Marbrook, Professor David Robie, and Colin McKay (Geraldine Lopdell Trust). Picture: SUPPLIED/Del Abcede/PMC By MICHAEL ANDREW/Asia Pacific Report Diversity was a winner at AUT’s School of Communication Studies annual awards last night with several Pacific Media Centre contributors taking out top prizes. Digital postgraduate student Sri Krishnamurthi was awarded the RNZ Pacific Prize for Asia-Pacific Journalism for his coverage of the Fijian general…

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Documentary focuses on challenges of parenting in the smart age

A screenshot of the recently-launched documentary film, 'Parenting in the smart age: Fijian Perspective' by the University of Sydney and The University of the South Pacific Journalism Programme. Picture: SUPPLIED/ELIKI DRUGUNALEVU By JARED KOLI A documentary film highlighting the struggles of Fijian parenting in the smart age has set the tone for conversations about the challenges and responsibilities of new telecommunications. The recently launched film titled, “Parenting in the Smart Age: Fijian Perspective”, was a collaborative effort by the University of Sydney and The University of the South Pacific Journalism Programme. The film’s executive director, Professor Heather Horst, said the…

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Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon joins climate fight, highlights global challenge

Melting ice caps in the North contribute to the rise in global sea levels. This was the stark reality highlighted by Prince Haakon during his presentation on ocean challenges and opportunities at USP's Laucala campus on Tuesday. Picture: SUPPLIED/EDWARD HALDING/GARY BAMBRIDGE/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS By DIPESH KUMAR and ROSALIE NONGEBATU Crown Prince of Norway Haakon Magnus did not mince his words when he spoke about the need for the sustainable ocean management and practices to tackle the problems of overfishing and pollution during his first official visit to Fiji this week. While some world leaders continue to turn a blind eye to…

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USP Journalism secures $US20k grant to boost environmental journalism

From left: Samisoni Pareti (EJN Fiji Content Coordinator), Amy Sim Kok (Internews EJN Project Manager), Dr Shailendra Singh (USP Journalism Coordinator), Imelda Abano (Internews EJN Content Coordinator for Philippines and Pacific Region) and James Fahn (EJN Director), at the Earth Journalism Network/Internews Environmental Journalism workshop, Puerto Princesa, Philippines last week. Picture: SUPPLIED/EJN By WANSOLWARA STAFF The Journalism Programme at The University of the South Pacific has won major recognition through a $US20,000 ($F42,617) grant in a boost for environmental reporting in the Pacific. The programme was one of 14 recipients of the competitive Internews/Earth Journalism Network (EJN) Asia-Pacific and Bay…

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Solomon Islands students miss out on national election

A voter casts his ballot during the 2019 Solomon Islands general election yesterday. Picture: Island Sun Newspaper/Supplied By ROSALIE NONGEBATU As Solomon Islanders headed to the polls yesterday to vote for leaders whom they trust will lead them in the next four years, some were not so lucky to have this choice. Despite that fact that more than 359,000 people were registered to vote in the 2019 Solomon Islands general election, not everyone on the final voter list participated in the national exercise. Solomon Islanders living abroad were not able to vote as there were no provisions under existing electoral…

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Probe into actions of rogue officers, NZ journos released

Mangroves and the seabed were destroyed near land being illegally developed by Freesoul Real Estate Development (Fiji) Pte Ltd. Picture: newsroom.co.nz/supplied By WANSOLWARA STAFF The detention of three New Zealand journalists by police yesterday over claims of criminal trespass was an isolated incident by a small group of rogue officers, with a full investigation expected soon within the force. The Newsroom journalists, co-editor Mark Jennings, investigations editor Melanie Reid and cameraman Hayden Aull, were taken in for questioning and later released today after controversial developer, Freesoul Real Estate Development, accused them of criminal trespass. Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama issued a…

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Christchurch massacre shocks student community

Nadi Airport Islamic Society held an interfaith prayer event for the victims of the Christchurch terror attack. Picture: SUPPLIED/SHANE HUSSEIN/WANSOLWARA By SEREANA SALALO The recent terror attack at two Christchurch mosques in New Zealand has left the student community at The University of the South Pacific in shock. At least 50 people were killed when a gunman carried out an unprecedented terrorist attack at the Masjid Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Masjid Mosque last Friday, live streaming the horrific attack on social media. Three Fijians, including Imam Hafiz Musa Patel of Lautoka, were victims of the violent act. USP politics…

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Journalism education at USP – a 30-year struggle for free press

USP Journalism staff from left: Geraldine Panapasa, Eliki Drugunalevu, Dr Shailendra Singh and students, Elizabeth Osifelo and Kritika Rukmani. Picture: WANSOLWARA By DR SHAILENDRA SINGH SUVA (Pacific Media Centre/University of the South Pacific/Pacific Media Watch): The University of the South Pacific’s recent 50th anniversary marked 30 years of existence for its regional journalism programme. In an eventful journey, the programme weathered military coups, overcame financial hardships and shrugged off academic snobbery to get this far. The programme started in Suva in 1988, with Commonwealth funding, and a handful of students to its name. It has produced more than 200 graduates…

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Warriors thrash Pacific Island rival 54-14

The Swire Shipping Fiji Warriors proved too strong for their Tongan rival at the ANZ Stadium in Suva last week. Picture: MITIELI BALEIWAI/FRU/SUPPLIED By SEREANA SALALO The Swire Shipping Fiji Warriors thrashed Pacific rival Tonga A 54–14 in their first match at the ANZ Stadium in Suva last Friday. The Warriors kept a strong lead throughout the game, scoring four tries in the first half. Eroni Mawi, Tira Patterson, Enele Tikotani and Veramu Dikidikilati scored a try each in the first half to maintain their lead. Tonga A captain Liueli Simote scored their first try 15 minutes into the first…

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March sheds light on nuclear victims, survivors

Caption: A student at The University of the South Pacific holds up a banner to commemorate the Marshall Islands' Nuclear Victims Remembrance Day on March 1. Picture: MIRIAMA NAIKATINI/WANSOLWARA By EPARAMA WARUA The Marshall Islands Students’ Association (MISA) organised a march to celebrate Nuclear Victim’s Remembrance Day at The University of the South Pacific's Laucala campus on March 1. The march started from the Oceania Center for Arts, Culture and Pacific Studies to the Japan-Pacific ICT Theater and commemorated the victims and survivors of nuclear testing carried out in the area in the 1950s. Marshall Islands was one of the…

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