Sofaia Koroitanoa
SUVA (Fiji Television / FBC News / Pacific Media Watch): Upcoming and aspiring journalists have been recognised for their hard work at the University of the South Pacific’s journalism awards night in Fiji.
Thirteen awards of academic excellence were given out on Friday night to USP journalism students.
French Ambassador Michel Djokovic highlighted the importance of development training for journalists.
“In today’s world, information is everywhere and people can easily be misled by false rumors on social networks or by unverified published news that can go viral on internet," sais Djokovic.
"Journalists have to be professional in order to convey true and unbiased information. In many ways journalists should be the compass that guides us to serious information this is why a very serious training is indeed essential.”
The French Embassy is one of the supporters of journalism in the region, funding the foundation of the USP programme in 1994.
“I’ve been here now for one year and Ive noticed that the Fijian journalists are almost all young people. This is a good thing because the job requires enthusiasm and energy and these are the characteristics of youth. These necessary qualities though do not replace a thorough training,” said Djokovic
New Zealand-based professor in journalism Dr David Robie was the keynote speaker at the USP Journalism Students Awards Night as the programme marked its 21st anniversary.
The director of the Pacific Media Centre at the Auckland University of Technology's School of Communications Studies and former head of USP journalism spoke on "The digital media revolution, a free press and student journalism".
The event was also attended by the US Ambassador to Fiji, Judith Cefkin, media organisation representatives and the USP journalism alumni.
Below - an FBC News report on October 31
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Pacific Media Watch
