Serelisoni Moceica
SUVA (Fiji Times / Pacific Media Watch): It is in the interest of all stakeholders to recognise and support the crucial contributions the media makes in reducing poverty, an economy update forum heard.
Former University of the South Pacific head of journalism Shailendra Singh said the Fiji media demonstrated a strong sense of social justice which could be harnessed for poverty reduction.
"Media can prompt government into substantive action by bringing the weight of public opinion to bear upon the state," Singh said.
He said a media with strong support from all stakeholders could be an effective tool in harnessing public support for anti-poverty initiatives.
He added there were challenges faced by the Fiji media that included short-staffed newsrooms, lack of experienced reporters and also the reporters were "jack of all trades".
"There is also a lack of time and resources to fund research and coverage, especially from poor people's angles," he said.
Singh said journalists could be trained on poverty as specialist topics and also on the policy processes linked to poverty reduction.
"There should also be support for press freedom and whistleblower legislation as a check on government accountability and corruption," he added.
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