May 3, 2016 4:10 pmAshutosh Singh

FNU holds panel discussion on media freedom

The Fiji National University’s Department of Media and Journalism, in collaboration with Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) hosted World Press Freedom Day with the theme ‘The Role of Education in Media Freedom.’

panel-fnu-media — (L-R) FBC Journalist Edwin Nand, Editor in Chief for The Fiji Times Mr. Fred Wesley, Director News Desk Fiji One News Ms Cheeriean Wilson, FNU’s Tukini Cama, Managing Editor Training Fiji Sun Mr Nemani Delaibatiki, CFL News Director Mr. Vijay Narayan, and MIDA Chairman Mr. Ashwin Raj during a panel discussion today at the Fiji National University. (FNU)

Discussions were held among the panelists which included senior members from media organisations in Fiji and the MIDA Chairman Mr. Ashwin Raj.

The key speaker was the Managing Director for Communications Fiji Limited (CFL) Mr. William Parkinson who said the media has to be objective.

The key note speaker of the event was the Managing Director of Communications Fiji Limited (CFL) Mr William Parkinson.(Fiji National University) — The key note speaker of the event was the Managing Director of Communications Fiji Limited (CFL) Mr William Parkinson. (FNU)

PARKINSON: “The issue that are raised today is more about us challenging ourselves and to step forward as representatives of our people, the citizens of this country, the voters, the text payers and to ask questions ask questions of our leaders and to be courageous in the conversation with our leaders, and to recognize that we need to respect the position of our leaders but at the same time be scepticle of those who hold those positions and that we need to continue to work on opening up the conversation between our leaders and the people of this country and to encourage participation for the citizens of Fiji in the way in which the country is run.”

“Fiji media is a very interesting place and now we have seen the return of parliamentary democracy, the return of freedoms in the media. We are rediscovering over the last couple of years, we have had to learn to rediscover what its like to operate as a free medium.”

Mr Parkinson added that the main thing young journalists need to be focused on the way the media is becoming a multimedia industry.

PARKINSON: “No matter what form of the industry you may join, you will find that you are working in a multiple form to the media, both online and radio. People are working with me, on video, radio, print, and also the online work, so its a very different world from when I started nearly 40 years ago.”

“Its changing rapidly and young journalist need to be able to learn to curious about that change and to be constantly learning.”

(L-R) FBC Journalist Edwin Nand, Editor in Chief The Fiji Times – Mr Fred Wesley, Director News Desk Fiji One News – Ms Cheeriean Wilson, Director News CFL – Mr Vijay Narayan, MIDA Chairman – Mr Ashwin Raj, Managing Editor Training Fiji Sun – Mr Nemani Delaibatiki, Fiji National University's Tukini Cama. (Fiji National University) — (L-R) FBC Journalist Edwin Nand, Editor in Chief for The Fiji Times Mr. Fred Wesley, Director News Desk Fiji One News Ms Cheeriean Wilson, Director News CFL Mr. Vijay Narayan, MIDA Chairman Mr. Ashwin Raj, Managing Editor Training Fiji Sun Mr Nemani Delaibatiki, FNU’s Tukini Cama. (FNU)

The News Director for Communications Fiji Limited, Vijay Narayan during the panel discussion said that the day is about freedom and there are no restrictions in the Fijian media.

NARAYAN: “Whole day today is about freedom. Let me stress that there are no restrictions. It’s up to the journalists on how to report.”

Also, present at the celebrations of the World Press Freedom Day this morning was FBC Journalist Edwin Nand who said we need to groom free thinkers and reporters need to realize that we cannot please everyone.

NAND: “Journalism students need to be able to think outside the box and be critical about everything.

Nand said journalism students should not only be trained in writing skills or how to conduct video interviews, but they need to know how to read between the lines.

Meanwhile, the Leader of Opposition, Hon. Ro Teimumu Kepa in a statement said journalists need to be brave.

KEPA: “I ask journalists to search within themselves for the courage to continue to report the truth and do so bravely.”

Press freedom is evaluated globally, the media is defended from attacks on their independence and tributes are paid to journalists and reporters who sacrificed and lost their lives in the exercise of their profession.