FIJI: Taskforce to establish journalists association

Frederica Elbourne

SUVA (The Fiji Times / Pacific Media Watch):  A taskforce has been appointed to look into the establishment of an association that will represent the welfare of journalists and media personnel in Fiji.

It followed the call from the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) secretariat for an informal get-together of journalists in the Central Division to celebrate World Press Freedom Day on Thursday.

About 80 reporters, subeditors, editors, television cameramen, photographers and former mainstream media representatives convened at the Fiji Television premises for the event organised by the PINA secretariat with the support of Fiji TV.

PINA manager and training coordinator Matai Akauola, a journalist for the past 31 years, said the overwhelming turnout of newsroom personnel was a rare sight as journalists had not convened for such a cause in the past few years.

"We need to be free as journalists to speak our minds, even in our own newsrooms, without fear of your bosses, but respect," Akaoula said.

The taskforce committee nominated by members of the media who attended the gathering include The Fiji Times business editor Elenoa Baselala, Mai Life magazine reporter Matilda Simmons, Fiji Broadcasting Corporation news reporter Maca Lutunauga, internet news services reporter Lavenia Vuadreu of Fijilive, television cameraman Kelepi Abaringa of the Ministry of Information, Fiji Sun chief editor Maika Bolatiki and Fiji Television's news and current affairs team leader Geoffrey Smith.

The taskforce is expected to meet on Monday to decide, among other things, the objectives of the association and report to members of the media in a month's time.