Newsfeed 
PACIFIC MEDIA CENTRE
Nius beat
NZ: Opinion - Indian Kiwis hurt by seemingly warped justice system
Pacific Scoop: 10 March 2010
The verdict of the jury (and the court) in the murder trial of the killers of Navtej Singh, Manurewa liquor store owner who was shot in his store last year in a gang robbery, has sent wrong signals about the fairness and the consistency of the justice system in New Zealand.
REGION: 'Oceanic' identity weighed up at Pacific Debate Series
Pacific Scoop: 9 March 2010
A discussion on whether Pacific peoples should be represented by one common “Oceanic” identity brought out differing views between Māori and Pacific participants at the first session of the Fakakaukau Pacific Debate Series, a three day event organized as part of this year’s Pasifika Festival.
NZ/SAMOA: Opinion - TVNZ 'gangs, guns and drugs' too gung ho for the BSA
Cafe Pacific/ Pacific Scoop: 8 March 2010
So the Samoan government has jumped the gun on the Television New Zealand “gangsta paradise” affair. In its eagerness to win a political point or two over the state-owned broadcaster (which incidentally has just supplied a “Pacific TV” gift of broadcast equipment to Samoa) in its long-standing controversial complaint about TVNZ accuracy, fairness and ethics, the government has itself breached the broadcast industry’s watchdog embargo.
SOLOMON IS: Publishing triumph for unwritten language
Radio Australia/ Pacific Media Centre: 4 March 2010
Compiling a book on leading women in Solomon Islands is no easy thing when a major language in the country - pijin blong Solomon, or Solomons Pidgin - is only a spoken language. But Marilyn Waring, editor of Being the First, rallied to the cause, with the help of the subjects of the book, the country's leading women. Read more
SAMOA: Editors clash over radio talkback defamation case
Pacific Media Watch: 27 February 2010
A defamation case involving allegations on a popular talkback radio about the Samoan justice minister has divided local media opinion about the issue. Read more
TONGA: Ashika Inquiry chairman censures PM over 'inappropriate remark'
Pacific Scoop: 25 February 2010
Tonga’s Prime Minister, Dr Feleti Sevele, has been censured for making an “inappropriate” personal remark to counsel assisting, in a closing statement he gave to the Princess Ashika disaster inquiry following an intense session of questioning that continued until midnight on Tuesday. Read more
NZ: Pacific Spice captivates crowd at Radio Tarana's Fiji Festival
Pacific Scoop: 23 February 2010
Pacific Spice – a dance group made up of Cook Islanders, Samoans and Tongans – captivated the audience with a lively Bollywood number at New Zealand’s weekend Fiji Festival hosted by community broadcaster Radio Tarana. Read more
REGION: Increased US-China rivalry will impact on Pacific, warns academic
Pacific Scoop: 13 February 2010
International relations and security analyst Dr Paul Buchanan has warned of increased militarisation in the Western Pacific Rim states and the erosion of accountable government as the United States-China struggle for global power intensifies. Read more
REGION: Creative Commons cites Pacific Scoop as case study
Pacific Media Centre Niusblog: 6 February 2010
Pacific Scoop, the new niche website launched by the Pacific Media Centre and Scoop Media last August, has been featured on the Creative Commons case study wiki. www.pacific.scoop.co.nz
Read more
REGION/TONGA: Opinion - Futa Helu: An extraordinary vision and independent thinking
Pacific Scoop: 4 February 2010
The loss of inspirational Tongan philosopher, educator and social critic ‘Ilaisa Futa ‘i Ha’angana Helu, who died on Tuesday at the age of 75, will be felt deeply throughout the Pacific.
Read more
REGION: Buchanan to speak on Pacific geopolitics at PMC
Pacific Media Centre Niusblog: 3 February 2010
International relations and security analyst Dr Paul Buchanan is returning to New Zealand for a month and will deliver a public lecture focusing on South East Asia and South Pacific geopolitics and security.
Read more
NZ: Nurse wins first Kiwi-Asian journalism scholarship
Pacific Media Centre Niusblog: 3 February 2010
A young Filipina-New Zealander has been awarded the first Asia New Zealand Foundation Kiwi Asian Journalism Scholarship.
The successful candidate, Corazon Miller, is of Filipina and New Zealand European descent.
Read more
REGION: Pacific Media Watch wins grant to boost freedom of expression project
Pacific Media Centre Niusblog: 26 January 2010
The Pacific Media Watch freedom of expression monitoring project at AUT University has been awarded a $15,000 development grant to expand its regional database and journalism resource. www.pacmediawatch.aut.nz
Read more
REGION: Crowd pleasers - a new way to pay for quality journalism
Pacific Media Centre Niusblog: 17 January 2010
Pacific Scoop features in an article about new models for funding independent and public journalism. Now traditional media face a new addition to the list of threats to newspapers - non-profit news publishers.
Read more
REGION: Café Pacific's new decade media awards
Pacific Media Centre Niusblog: 8 January 2010
Café Pacific marked the transition into the second decade of the century with six awards to media groups and individuals for their efforts in the Oceania region.
Read more
PNG: Government set to disband riots probe after 'aliens' media furore
Pacific Media Watch: 18 November 2009
Papua New Guinea’s parliamentary bipartisan committee investigating the anti-Asian rioting in May will be disbanded, a senior government source has revealed. Read more
NZ: A gifted diplomat who stood taller than most in the Pacific
Pacific Scoop: 17 November 2009
The passing away of a gentleman and career diplomat, Tia Barrett, has come as a shock to those who knew him. Read more
PNG: Media lobby group calls for independent review of 'aliens' controversy
Pacific Media Centre: 16 November 2009
A Pacific regional media lobby group has called on Papua New Guinea’s Post-Courier daily newspaper to seek an independent review of a story which it describes as a “journalistic nightmare”. Read more
PNG: Filipino journalist accuses rival media of 'aliens' story fabrication
Pacific Media Watch: 13 November 2009
A senior journalist on the Malaysian-owned National newspaper has accused the rival Rupert Murdoch daily Post-Courier of “fabricating” a front page lead story claiming 16,000 alien Filipinos are living in Papua New Guinea. Read more
TONGA: Commission calls for more people’s seats, less political power for King
Pacific Media Centre: 10 November 2009
Limiting the King of Tonga’s powers and almost doubling the number of people’s seats in Parliament from nine to 17 are among key recommendations in the Constitutional and Electoral Commission’s final report. Read more
NZ: Budding Maori, Pasifika filmmakers now have sights on media industry
Pacific Media Centre: 7 November 2009
Winners at AUT University’s inaugural Flavorz09 film festival for student video makers last night say they are now inspired to break into the industry. Read more
FIJI: New crimes decree replaces penal code
Pacific Media Centre: 6 November 2009
After 100 years of existence, the Fiji Penal Code has been finally overhauled and replaced with a new Crimes Decree, Fiji Broadcasting Corporation News reports. Read more
FIJI: Expulsion of Australian, NZ envoys blamed on taped conversation
Pacific Media Centre: 4 November 2009
The Fiji government’s expulsion order against Australian High Commissioner James Batley and acting New Zealand High Commissioner Todd Cleaver has been blamed on taped information given by the Chief Justice Anthony Gates to Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama, Radio Fiji reports. Read more
FIJI: Chief Justice condemns Australian, NZ 'interference' and 'hostility'
Pacific Media Centre: 3 November 2009
Fiji’s Chief Justice Anthony Gates has condemned Australia and New Zealand for breaching international conventions over judicial “interference” and “hostility” and has called on both countries to lift travel bans on the judiciary. Read more
NZ: New professor targets Pasifika policy development
Pacific Scoop: 30 October 2009
New Zealand’s first professor of Pacific studies, Tagaloatele Peggy Fairbairn-Dunlop, wants to see more Pacific Islanders at decision-making levels and she believes postgraduate education is the key to achieving this goal. Read more
TONGA: Ashika witnesses tell disaster inquiry of corrosion, holes, last minute welding
Pacific Scoop: 30 October 2009
Potentially damning testimonies from a welder and an engineer were presented this week to Tonga’s Royal Commission of Inquiry charged with investigating sinking of the Princess Ashika interisland ferry. Read more
AUST: Balibo scores 14 AFI award nominations
Pacific Scoop: 28 October 2009
Balibo, a film about the murder of five Australian-based journalists by Indonesian troops during the invasion of East Timor in 1975, has topped this year's AFI Awards nominations. Read more
NZ: Māori TV bid stirs fresh debate over multicultural future
Pacific Scoop: 27 October 2009
Having a Kiwi sense of identity in the future will not be possible without having multicultural citizenship, says a Massey University sociologist. Read more
REGION: Trauma, environmental journalism, health reporting and te reo Māori in new PJR
Pacific Media Centre: 24 October 2009
Trauma and exiled writers, the challenge of environmental journalism in Delta land, issues of editorial “slant” in health reporting and use of te reo Maori in newspapers are some of the topics featured in the latest edition of Pacific Journalism Review. Read more
FIJI: Press freedom ranking tumbles in RSF world survey
Pacific Scoop: 21 October 2009
Political power grabs have dealt press freedom serious blows in the Asia-Pacific region with Fiji being a major casualty, according to the latest Reporters sans frontières world media freedom rankings. Read more
FIJI: Opinion - Many more media questions need answers
Pacific Scoop: 20 October 2009
The launch of the long awaited and anticipated special edition of Fijian Studies research journal is seen as a breath of fresh air for Fiji news media. It was appropriately devoted to media and “the struggle for democracy in the past 20 years”. Read more
FIJI: Free up media or risk corruption, fund collapse, warns economist
Pacific Scoop: 16 October 2009
A leading Fiji economist has called on the military backed regime to lift the tough censorship curbs on news media or risk growing corruption and a major financial institution collapse. Read more
REGION: New AUT media programme targets Pacific journalists
Pacific Scoop: 15 October 2009
A shortage of Pacific Islanders undertaking journalism training in New Zealand will be addressed next year with the introduction of a new course at AUT University. Read more
FIJI: New book questions media standards but defends free press
Pacific Scoop: 14 October 2009
Fiji Islanders have a “palpable dissatisfaction” with media standards but this is overridden by a public desire to have a free press, says a new book about Fiji journalism and democracy. Read more
TONGA: Out-of-hours tsunami silence troubles media
Pacific Scoop: 8 October 2009
Concern has been raised after the kingdom’s National Emergency Management Office reportedly failed to send out a tsunami warning to the public immediately after last Wednesday’s “Samoan tsunami” disaster. Read more
REGION: Quake off Vanuatu coast – Pacific tsunami alert lifted
Pacific Scoop: 8 October 2009
A second Pacific tsunami warning in a week – this time after two earthquakes in the space of an hour off the north-western coast of Vanuatu – has been cancelled after reports of only a “tiny” wave. Read more
AM.SAMOA/ SAMOA: Oxfam to boost tsunami aid, curfew in Pagopago
Pacific Scoop: 4 October 2009
Oxfam has stepped up its aid effort in Samoa in the wake of this week’s devastating tsunami as the American Samoan government imposed a curfew to control looting. Read more
TONGA: Aid follows tsunami deaths, destruction
Pacific Scoop: 4 October 2009
A rescue aircraft arrived on the Tongan island of Niuatoputapu in the remote northern Nuias group on Thursday evening after a tsunami destroyed villages and claimed the lives of nine people so far. Read more
SAMOA: Huge tsunami sweeps many to their death
Pacific Scoop: 30 September 2009
A huge tsunami struck American Samoa and Samoa early day, causing many deaths in both Pacific island groups. Initial reports from Sky News put the death toll in American Samoa at 14, while upgraded reports estimate the death toll in Western Samoa at over 100. Read more
TONGA: Activists criticise government refusal to ratify global women's protocol
Pacific Scoop: 25 September 2009
Human rights advocates have strongly criticised the Tongan Parliament’s refusal to ratify the UN Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women earlier this month. Read more
EAST TIMOR: Political thriller 'sanitised' Australian cover-up of Balibo murders
Pacific Scoop: 24 September 2009
The political thriller Balibo – about the murder of six Australian-based journalists in East Timor, including a New Zealander – will screen at an Auckland cinema tonight as a pre-release school fundraiser amid continuing controversy abroad. Read more
NZ: Activists welcome Burmese political prisoners release but sound warning
Pacific Scoop: 21 September 2009
Burmese refugees and activists in New Zealand have welcomed this week’s recent release of 54 political prisoners, while also challenging whether the move was part of a game the regime is playing with Western governments. Read more
FIJI: Bainimarama vows not to be ‘bullied’ by Australia, NZ
Pacific Media Watch/ Pacific Scoop:15 September 2009
Fiji’s military-backed prime minister Voreqe Bainimarama has vowed not to be bullied by Australia and New Zealand, and has defended his curbs on the Pacific country’s media. Read more
FIJI: Praise greets Amnesty report but Fiji regime condemns ‘lies’
Pacific Media Centre/ Pacific Scoop: 10 September 2009
A chorus of praise has greeted the Amnesty International report on alleged post-putsch human rights violations for “exposing the suffering” but the regime condemned the document as being based on “lies”. Read more
FIJI: Regime targets journalists with 'Gestapo-like' intimidation, says AI
Pacific Media Watch/ Pacific Scoop: 8 September 2009
Fiji authorities are using a variety of “repressive tactics” to smother free speech, including short-term arrests and intimidation of journalists, says Amnesty International. Read more
TONGA: AG's media comments 'foolish, insulting' says NZ group
Pacific Media Watch/ Pacific Scoop: 8 September 2009
A New Zealand group supporting political reform in Tonga has harshly criticised Tongan Attorney-General John Cauchi for claiming on the Matangi Tonga online news site last week that Tongans cannot tell fact from opinion when reading the news. Read more
REGION: Amnesty has sights on Fiji in damning new human rights report due tomorrow
Pacific Media Centre/ Pacific Scoop: 7 September 2009
Amnesty International’s Pacific human rights campaign will rise another notch with the release of a damning new report on Fiji tomorrow and further investigations in the pipeline on urban poverty in Fiji and the Solomon Islands and domestic violence in Papua New Guinea. Read more
TONGA: Ashika Commission to announce second member this week
Pacific Media Watch/ Pacific Scoop: 31 August 2009
Tonga’s Royal Commission of Inquiry, charged with investigating why the Princess Ashika sank earlier this month, is expected to name its second member this week, according to Attorney-General John Cauchi. Meanwhile, Cauchi has urged the media to exercise restraint and responsibility in its coverage of the August 6 disaster. Read more
NEW CALEDONIA: Jailed union leader calls for probe into ‘terrible’ prison conditions for Kanaks
Pacific Media Centre/ Pacific Scoop: 29 August 2009
Jailed for a year for his role in leading a strike against New Caledonia’s airline, union leader Gérard Jodar has condemned the “terrible” prison conditions in Noumea’s notorious Camp Est prison. Read more
REGION: Pacific Scoop boosts global coverage, says founder
Pacific Media Centre/ Pacific Scoop: 28 August 2009
Hopes are high that Pacific Scoop will open up a window on the region with its New Zealand and global audience, says the co-founder of Scoop. Read more
REGION: New independent regional news site launched
Pacific Media Watch/ Pacific Scoop: 26 August 2009
The independent news website Scoop is hosting a new Pacific online media service being launched at AUT University’s Māori Expo in Auckland tomorrow. Pacific Scoop is a partnership between Scoop Media and AUT's Pacific Media Centre. Read more
NZ: Former Fiji editor lifts bar for ethnic media
Pacific Media Centre/ Pacific Scoop: 24 August 2009
The chief editor of a new community newspaper catering for the Indo-Fijian and Indian diaspora in New Zealand has vowed to raise the bar in ethnic publishing. Read more
PNG: Bougainville’s New Dawn FM wins global media award
Pacific Media Watch/ Pacific Scoop: 23 August 2009
A pioneering community radio station in Papua New Guinea’s autonomous province of Bougainville has won the University of Queensland’s global 2009 Communication and Social Change Award. Read more
REGION: PINA summit fails to stand up for media freedom
Pacific Media Watch/ Matangi Tonga: 5 August 2009
The Suva-based Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) continues to struggle to establish itself as a champion of media freedom in the Pacific Islands. Read more
TONGA: New Pacific Programme to challenge 'outsider' history
Pacific Media Centre: 5 July 2009
A pioneering new Pacific studies programme at Tonga’s ‘Atenisi University is set to change the way Tongan and Pacific history has been written, while embracing the institute’s classical philosophy. Read more
NZ: Pacific radio defends ban over 'unbalanced' Fiji interview
Pacific Media Centre: 3 July 2009
A New Zealand-based Pacific radio network has moved to defuse a controversy over a Fijian-language interview critical of the Methodist Church and alleged involvement of some leading clergy in past coups. Read more
NZ: Thousands of Pacific children 'miss out' on school
Pacific Media Centre: 28 June 2009
Thousands of Pacific children – possibly up to 5000 – may be missing out on education in New Zealand because their parents are overstayers, says a Pasifika school trustee spokesperson. Read more
TONGA: Moala talks democracy and identity issues
Pacific Media Centre: 24 June 2009
Publisher and broadcaster Kalafi Moala led an intimate and spirited philosophical public discussion last night on what it means to be Tongan with a sense of place in the world. Read more
NZ: Media 'misses point' in visa scam, says Tongan group
Pacific Media Watch: 24 June 2009
Tongan Advisory Council chairman Melino Maka has criticised New Zealand’s mainstream media for “missing the point” in coverage of an alleged visa scam on Pacific Islanders. Read more
REGION: Tributes farewell the 'Father of Pacific Studies'
Pacific Media Centre: 22 June 2009
Tributes flowed as families, friends and colleagues gathered in Auckland to say goodbye to the man they called “Papa Ron”, before his final journey home to the Cook Islands today. Read more
REGION: Two Pacific nations criticised in human trafficking report
Pacific Media Centre: 19 June 2009
Two Pacific Island nations – Fiji and Papua New Guinea – have been ranked among the least active countries in combating human trafficking abuses such as forced labour, bonded labour, sexual exploitation and child labour. Read more
TONGA: 'Atenisi inducts six fellows in honour of Futa Helu
Pacific Media Centre: 18 June 2009
Six international academics have been inducted as fellows of Tonga’s ‘Atenisi University, the only leading tertiary institute in the South Pacific independent of both government and religious influence, in a four-day celebration honouring the life and achievements of founder and philosopher Professor Futa Helu. Read more
TONGA: People worry about land, administration more than politics, says CEC
Pacific Media Centre: 7 June 2009
Tonga’s Constitutional and Electoral Commission (CEC) has released its first progress report to the public since being set up in January. The CEC had conducted a series of public forums on Tonga’s main island districts to gather public opinion about the political reforms planned for 2010. Read more
NZ: Media faces growing challenges over 'ageing, more ethnic' population
Pacific Media Watch: 4 June 2009
The New Zealand media is expected to tackle some major changes over their audience base within the next 20 years due to a population transformation, says a leading demographer. Read more
NZ: Pacific Beat producer calls on ethnic groups to 'break into' mainstream
Pacific Media Centre: 4 June 2009
Ethnic communities need to break into the mainstream media by telling inclusive stories and giving the message that Pacific people are part of New Zealand, says a leading television producer. Read more
REGION: PJR praised for 'diversity' edition
Pacific Media Watch: 2 June 2009
New Zealand's Race Relations Commissioner, Joris de Bres, has awarded Pacific Journalism Review a citation in recognition of its latest edition dedicated to the theme of "diversity and identity". Read more
BURMA: Dissident journalist tells of media perils
Pacific Media Centre: 27 May 2009
Risking your life is a given when reporting in and around Burma, says the Pacific Media Centre’s first Asian journalism fellow.
A moving seminar and film screening held by the centre at AUT University this week documented the perils of being a dissident Burmese journalist.
Read more
FIJI: Media risks ending up like Chinese press, says academic
Pacific Media Centre: 25 May 2009
Chinese language media in New Zealand relies heavily on free content from mainland China's media and is “importing the propaganda line to Chinese-language discourse in New Zealand”. Read more
REGION: Amnesty to engage Pacific media in campaign against poverty
Pacific Media Watch: 23 May 2009
Amnesty International is gearing up to launch a “demand dignity” campaign with a focus on human rights and poverty in the Pacific region. Read more
REGION: New media freedom group plugs the gaps
Pacific Media Centre: 20 May 2009
The Pacific’s newest media watch group wrapped up its inaugural forum in Samoa earlier this month, but has vowed that it will not be challenging the long-established Pacific Islands News Association over press freedom issues. Read more
NZ: PIMA chair resigns over Pacific media 'politics'
Pacific Media Watch: 17 May 2009
Tagata Pasifika reporter Aaron Taouma (pictured) has stepped down from his post of interim chair of the New Zealand-based Pacific Islands Media Association (PIMA). The executive committee will meet later this week to discuss his successor. Read more
NZ: Shortland Street in another culture - reponses from Fiji
Pacific Media Centre: 17 May 2009
It has been a popular TV programme in Fiji since the mid-1990s. But what values and ideas do Fijians and Indo-Fijians take from Shortland Street? Read more
NZ: Digital revolution countdown stretches community broadcasters
Pacific Media Centre: 15 May 2009
Do you know who your regional broadcaster is? Did you even know you had one, just a dial-twirl away? More importantly, do you care if they are there? Read more
REGION: New Pacific journalism course to boost media opportunities
Pacific Media Centre: 14 May 2009
A unique new Pacific-focused journalism course is scheduled for opening next year to address a shortage of Pasifika journalists in the media industry and to help provide more cutting-edge reporting in the region. Read more
REGION: PJR targets Fiji censorship, cross-cultural reporting
Pacific Media Centre: 13 May 2009
Censorship and the assault on human rights and freedom of expression in Fiji are featured in the latest edition of Pacific Journalism Review. Read more
REGION: Commmentators condemn NZ's policies on Fiji
Pacific Media Centre: 11 May 2009
A neglect of perspective and lack of historical perspective in reporting Fiji’s “coup culture” means New Zealand media coverage of the Pacific country lacks insight and balance, say critics. Read more
FIJI: 'Courage under fire' - The Fiji Times experience
Pacific Media Centre: 10 May 2009
It is difficult to put thoughts into words when you know that everything you say has the potential to be a threat to the very existence of 180 people with whom you work and close to 1000 who depend on them for a living. Read more
REGION: Veteran media freedom champions speak out for uncompromised Pacific news
Pacific Media Centre: 9 May 2009
Veteran champions of a free Pacific media spoke out strongly in defence of an uncompromising public watchdog role of the region's news organisations at an Article 19 seminar in Samoa this week. Read more
SAMOA: Pacific reporter fights off smear campaign
Pacific Media Centre: 4 May 2009
World Press Freedom day was celebrated around the globe this weekend while one of New Zealand's top reporters has been fending off a nasty smear campaign over a controversial report about gangs and guns in Samoa. Read more
REGION: Amnesty boosts Pacific human rights campaign
Pacific Media Centre: 4 May 2009
Amnesty International’s New Zealand section is stepping up a new strategy focused on grave abuses of human rights in the Pacific. Read more
TONGA: Kele'a defends 'no by-lines' policy
Pacific Media Watch: 4 May 2009
The acting director of the Friendly Island Human Rights and Democracy Movement and former publisher of Kele’a, Siosiua Po’oi Pohiva, has defended the newspaper’s policy of leaving out bylines in its stories. Read more
REGION: Fiji, Tonga media least free in Pacific, says Freedom House
Pacific Media Watch: 3 May 2009
Fiji and Tonga have the least free media among the Pacific Island states, according to Freedom House’s just released 2009 annual report on global press freedom. Read more
TONGA: Defamation case a 'wake-up call', say editors
Pacific Media Watch: 2 May 2009
As World Media Freedom Day marks a strengthened drive towards free speech and a free press in the Pacific, some media editors in Tonga are more concerned with the alleged abuse of these rights. Read more
FIJI: Martial law wipes out Media Freedom Day
Pacific Media Centre: 2 May 2009
Media organisations and newspapers worldwide are ready to mark World Media Freedom Day tomorrow - but this important day has been censored in Fiji because of the military regime’s decree banning media and political meetings. Read more
REGION: Target Fiji in Samoa - How to beat censorship
Pacific Media Centre: 1 May 2009
A media freedom strategic planning workshop due this week in Fiji and climaxing with a World Media Freedom Day event in Suva on Sunday, May 3, has ended up exile. It has been moved to Samoa next week - censorship by Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama's regime is to blame. Read more
REGION: 'Courage under fire' workshop moves to Samoa
Pacific Media Centre: 28 April 2009
A regional media event aimed at boosting Pacific journalism's capacity to face challenges to media freedom has been switched to Apia, Samoa, next week. Read more
FIJI: 'Sulu censors' stifle newsmedia in regime crackdown
Pacific Media Centre: 26 April 2009
Reeling from four coups in two decades, journalists in the Pacific nation of Fiji bravely contesting draconian pressure from a military government are now taking no chances. Read more
FIJI: Blogs rule as regime cracks down on media
Pacific Media Centre: 26 April 2009
Fijians keeping up with political developments since the media clampdown by Voreqe Bainimarama's military regime this month are turning to a growing band of internet blogs. Read more
BURMA: Student report slams military's ethnic land grabsPacific Media Centre: 25 April 2009
Three Burmese ethnic youth and student organisations in Thailand have strongly condemned the military regime’s policy of increasing militarisation and seizing land without compensation.
Read more
BURMA: Underground 'VJ's' expose horror
Pacific Media Centre: 24 April 2009
A dramatic film exposing the struggle of underground Burmese video journalists who chronicled the monk-led Saffron Revolution has featured in this month’s New Zealand world cinema showcase.
Read more
FIJI: Regime leader's brother slams 'bad guy' image
Pacific Media Centre: 22 April 2009
The older brother of Fiji’s military strongman, Sefanaia Bainimarama, has defended the commodore against criticisms as a “bad guy”, saying many people are involved in the coup. Read more
FIJI/ THAILAND: A tale of censorship crises
Pacific Media Centre: 22 April 2009
While the international media is relaxed about Thailand's Easter political crisis, condemnation is being heaped on Fiji's military regime. Thais and Fiji islanders have woken up to a new era of shadowy rule of law... Read more
