Rachna Lal
SUVA (Fiji Sun / Pacific Media Watch): The Fiji Sun’s strong commitment to helping the Prime Minister’s Flood Relief Appeal has helped win the newspaper a major regional media award.
The Fiji Sun took an unprecedented three awards at PANPA, the biggest newspaper competition for Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.
They included an award for the response to the devastating floods in Western Fiji in March-April, and then unwavering support for the Prime Minister’s Flood Relief Appeal.
The awards were announced in Sydney, with the Fiji Sun winning awards in cause-related marketing, classified advertising and display advertising categories.
The PANPA (Pacific Area Newspaper Publishing Association) awards recognise outstanding achievements in every part of the industry.
More than 1000 entries are received across the various categories.
Fiji Sun publisher/chief executive officer Peter Lomas said: “We’re proud of all our awards but we’re especially proud of the recognition of the PM’s Flood Relief Appeal.
“This was an award not just for the Fiji Sun but for everyone involved and everyone who contributed.”
Lomas praised the efforts of all in the Fiji Sun.
“We’re very proud of our people and the three awards reflect the effort all our departments put in every day, every year,” he said.
“This was no better illustrated than in the floods.
“We delivered the paper in the West every day despite great difficulties.
“Our people were determined to ensure the people of the West were kept informed.
“They used boats, planes and even waded through flood waters to make sure the Sun got through.
“Meanwhile, our journalists went to great efforts in often dangerous conditions to ensure the rest of our nation knew just what the people of the West were going through.
“That’s the spirit which helped make us the biggest newspaper in the independent Pacific Islands.
“It’s also the Fijian spirit which has won our country this recognition at such a major newspaper publishing event.”
Pacific Media Watch
