APIA (PACNEWS/Talanei News/Pacific Media Watch): A talanoa (meeting) session during an agribusiness forum in Samoa this week, heard from media professionals who identified challenges journalists encounter when reporting agriculture and agritourism stories.
According to media reports, journalists said information from government sources and experts are too “technical”. There is also little opportunity for follow-up questions that would allow them to report the information comprehensively for the wider public.
Journalists commented that agribusiness organisations sometimes withhold information from the media by telling growers and suppliers not to talk to them unless permission is given.
Those who took part in the talanoa session agreed more stories on food and agriculture should appear in their newspapers, radio and television news, and given the same prominence as politics and crime.
The aim of the session was to increase and improve the reporting of agricultural stories and was a prelude to the 2nd Pacific Agribusiness Forum held in Apia.
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