Archive

Asia Pacific community and media research group goes online

Asia Pacific Report
A community-based Asia-Pacific network of academics, journalists and activists has now gone online with an umbrella website for its publications, current affairs and research.

The nonprofit Asia Pacific Media Network, publishers of Pacific Journalism Review research journal, has until now relied on its Facebook page.

“The APMN is addressing a gap in the region for independent media commentary and providing a network for journalists and academics,” said director…

USP faces a ‘gathering storm’ over leadership and a looming strike

Asia Pacific Report
The University of the South Pacific — one of only two regional universities in the world — is facing a “gathering storm” over leadership, a management crisis and a looming strike, reports Islands Business.

In the six-page cover story in the latest edition of the regional news magazine, IB reports that pay demands by the 12-nation institution “headline other contentions such as the number of unfilled vacancies and…

Indonesian military apologies fail to mask the harassment, gagging of Papuan leaders

COMMENTARY: By Ronny Kareni
Since the atrocious footage of the suffering of an indigenous Papuan man reverberates in the heart of Puncak by the brute force of Indonesia’s army in early February, shocking tactics deployed by those in power to silence critics has been unfolding.

Nowhere is this more evident than in the plight of the leaders of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), Markus Haluk and Menase Tabuni. Their…

Time to get in quick for the fast looming deadline for Pacific media conference

Asia Pacific Report
Time is running out for media people and academics wanting to tell their innovative story or present research at the 2024 Pacific International Media Conference in July.

Organisers say the deadline is fast approaching for registration in less than two weeks.

Many major key challenges and core problems facing Pacific media are up for discussion at the conference in Suva, Fiji, on July 4-6 hosted by The University of…

West Papuan wounds of suffering – diplomatic pressure on Indonesia needed urgently

COMMENTARY: By Ronny Kareni
Recent videos depicting the barbaric torture of an indigenous Papuan man by Indonesian soldiers have opened the wounds of West Papua’s suffering, laying bare the horrifying reality faced by its people.

We must confront this grim truth — what we witness is not an isolated incident but a glaring demonstation of the deep-seated racism and systematic persecution ravaging West Papuans every single day.

Human rights defenders that the…

Sexual harassment of Fiji’s women journalists ‘concerningly widespread’

By Kelvin Anthony 
Sexual harassment of women journalists continues to be a major problem in Fiji journalism and  “issues of power lie at the heart of this”, new research has revealed.

The study, published in Journalism Practice by researchers from the University of Vienna and the University of the South Pacific, highlights there is a serious need to address the problem which is fundamental to press freedom and quality journalism.

“We…

Earthwise talks to APMN's David Robie on Pacific issues and news media

Pacific Media Watch
Earthwise presenters Lois and Martin Griffiths on Plains FM 96.9 community radio talk to Dr David Robie, a New Zealand author, independent journalist and media educator with a passion for the Asia-Pacific region.

Dr Robie, deputy chair of Asia Pacific Media Network and editor of Asia Pacific Report, talks about the struggle to raise awareness of critical Pacific issues such as West Papuan self-determination and the fight…

USP to host ‘critical issues’ Pacific media conference to shape future

By Monika Singh
The University of the South Pacific will host a major Pacific international media conference in July to address critical issues in the regional news media sector in the aftermath of the covid-19 pandemic and digital disruption.

The conference in Suva, Fiji, on July 4-6 is the first of its kind in the region in two decades.

Efeso Collins . . . ’empowering our rangatahi to think beyond the lines’

By Lucy Xia
The family of Green MP Fa’anānā Efeso Collins say they are “devastated” at his loss and have thanked the public for their patience during a “difficult time”.

Fa’anānā, 49, collapsed and died during a charity event in the Auckland CBD on Wednesday.
In their first statement since his death, his aiga — which includes wife Fia and daughters Kaperiela and Asalemo — said he was “the anchor of our…

2024 Pacific Media Conference

Asia Pacific Media Network
Navigating Challenges and Shaping Futures in Pacific Media Research and Practice

The University of the South Pacific’s School of Pacific Arts, Communications and Education (Journalism) will host the 2024 Pacific International Media Conference, with its partners, the Pacific Island News Association (PINA) and the Asia-Pacific Media Network (APMN).

The Pacific region is witnessing unprecedented shifts and challenges in its small and micro media systems due…

Kia Ora Whānau #6


Asia Pacific Media Network News Updates #6/2024 – 5 February 2024
Kia Ora Whānau and Happy Waitangi Day tomorrow,
 
A few quick updates on Asia Pacific Media Network (APMN) activities, happenings and future events:
 
Key upcoming dates:
APMN Annual General Meeting (April 2024 TBC)
APMN Nuclear-Free Exhibition Planning meeting (TBC) 
APMN participation in Pacific Media Summit (USP, Suva, Fiji, 4-6 July 2024)
 Celebration of 30 years publishing of…

Media plurality, independence and Talanoa, a Pacific journalism model

Café Pacific
The shrinking mainstream media plurality in Aotearoa New Zealand provides a context for examining publication of campus-based media where student and faculty editorial staff have successfully established an independent Asia-Pacific digital and print press over the past two decades.

New Zealand’s largest city Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) has the largest urban population of Pacific Islanders globally – more than 300,000 people in a total of 1.7 million (Pasifika New Zealand, n.d.)…

Kia Ora Whānau #5

Asia Pacific Media Network News Updates #5/2023 – 23 October 2023
Kia Ora Whānau,
 
A few quick updates on Asia Pacific Media Network (APMN) activities, happenings and future events:
 
Key upcoming dates:
APMN participation in JERAA 2023 (UTS Sydney, 5-7 December 2023)
APMN participation in Pacific Media Summit (USP, July 2024 – more information soon)
 Celebration of 30 years publishing of PJR at the Pacific Media Summit (USP,
July…

Pacific archives for Oceania media students


By The Junction
If you're ever writing about issues in Pacific nations, there is a rich and detailed free archive of audio, video and text news articles and research abstracts covering a wide range of topics that you can dip into.

It is available here: https://pmcarchive.aut.ac.nz/

The award-winning website was built as part of an extraordinary pioneering initiative led by Professor David Robie, who was then director of the Pacific Media Centre…

Kia Ora Whānau #4

Asia Pacific Media Network News Updates #4/2023 – 4 September 2023
Kia Ora Whānau,
 
 A few quick updates on Asia Pacific Media Network (APMN) activities, happenings and future events:
 
Key upcoming dates:
APMN participation in AMIC 2023 (Bandung, Indonesia, 28-30 September 2023)
APMN participation in JERAA 2023 (UTS Sydney, 5-7 December 2023)
Call for Papers for next PJR (publication due July, 2024)
Submissions for next PJR edition…

Allegations over cult leader feature in new Muslim Media Watch monitor


By Pacific Media Watch
A new media monitoring watchdog, Muslim Media Watch, published its first edition today featuring a cover story alleging that a Malaysian cult leader who was reportedly now in New Zealand could “create social unrest”.

Named as Suhaini bin Mohammad, he was allegedly posing as a Muslim religious leader and was said to be wanted by the authorities in Malaysia for “false teachings” that contradict Islam.

His cult…

Pacific Journalism Review

Media and cultural diversity
The Pacific Journalism Review: Te Koakoa is a peer-reviewed journal examining media issues and communication in the South Pacific, Asia-Pacific, Australia and New Zealand.

Founded by Professor David Robie in 1994 at the University of Papua New Guinea, it was later published at the University of the South Pacific.

PJR was published between 2007 and 2020 by the Pacific Media Centre in the School of Communication Studies

Nuclear-free campaigners warn against AUKUS raising Pacific tensions

By David Robie
Advocates and defenders of a nuclear-free Pacific have condemned the AUKUS military pact and warned New Zealand that the agreement would make the world “more dangerous” and should not join.

Pictured above: Activist minister Reverend Mua Strickson-Pua brandishes the petition against the AUKUS military pact at the launch in Auckland today. Auckland Peace Squadron campaigner Reverend George Armstrong is on the right. Image: David Robie/APR

Participants at a Nuclear-Free…

Kia Ora Whānau #3

Asia Pacific Media Network News Updates #3/2023 – 22 June 2023
Kia Ora Whānau,
 
 A few quick updates on Asia Pacific Media Network (APMN) activities, happenings and future events:
 
Key upcoming dates:
APMN SGM (date
Monday, June 26, 2023 - see separate notice sent from our secretary Khairiah A. Rahman)
Tuwhera Workshop (Wednesday,
June 28, 2023 – see attached flyer with venue, Zoom & programme details)
West Papua seminar (Saturday…

Asia Pacific media network plans wider community brief

Asia Pacific Media Network
A media network publishing an international research journal has vowed to expand its activities into community media and training initiatives.

The non-profit Asia Pacific Media Network, publisher of the ranked Pacific Journalism Review, says media and community advocates believe there is a need for minority and marginalised groups that feel neglected by the mainstream.

Network chair Dr Heather Devere told the annual general meeting of the…