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PACIFIC MEDIA CENTRE
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TONGA: Couple plan pioneering projects in Pacific and media education
By Josephine Latu: Pacific Media Watch, 5844: 2 December 2008
A Tongan couple, Niulala and ‘Asena Helu, are set to begin work on two pioneering projects in Pacific and media education in Tonga next month.
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Niulala will spearhead the creation of a Pacific Studies Department at the ‘Atenisi Institute of Education, while his wife ‘Asena will head an initiative to launch the kingdom’s first indigenous community TV station, which includes a media communications school and local production company.
The projects are still in development, but ‘Asena hopes that the independent TV station will be up and running within a year.
Pacific Studies papers are targeted to be available in 2010, focusing on Tongan music, dance, and history.
The Helus are currently welcoming donations in textbooks, office equipment, production gear and school supplies to aid the ventures before they begin work from scratch in January 2009.
‘Asena, who is a coordinator and mentor at the University of Auckland’s postgraduate Department of Pacific Studies, told Pacific Media Watch her project was about “giving back to the community through community TV”.
“The training component is there for Tongan people interested in the industry. We hope to be a spring board for local Tongans to get scholarships for further opportunities and overseas qualifications. More Tongans in the media – that’s what we want,” said ‘Asena.
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Her aim is also to preserve Tongan culture through locally produced material, including documentaries, short films, and children’s programmes. There are even talks of beginning a pilot soap opera.
While the Pacific Studies school will function as a part of ‘Atenisi Institute, an educational institution founded by Niulala’s father, ‘Ilaisa Futa Helu in 1963, the TV station is set to operate independently at this stage.
‘Asena remains open to collaborate with outside support for media training and production at the TV station.
“It’s not only my project. It’s a communications school for all Tongans – if you want to be part of it, you can always help out,” she said.
Josephine Latu is a Masters in Communication Studies student at AUT University who is attached to the Pacific Media Centre as contributing editor for Pacific Media Watch.
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