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US backing for Pacific disinformation media course casualty of Trump aid ‘freeze’

Pacific Media Watch
A New Zealand-based community education provider, Dark Times Academy, has had a US Embassy grant to deliver a course teaching Pacific Islands journalists about disinformation terminated after the new Trump administration took office.

The new US administration requested a list of course participants and to review the programme material amid controversy over a “freeze” on federal aid policies.

The course presentation team refused and the contract was terminated…
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Trump’s foreign aid freeze throws independent journalism into chaos

President Donald Trump has frozen billions of dollars around the world in aid projects, including more than $268 million allocated by Congress to support independent media and the free flow of information.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has denounced this decision, which has plunged NGOs, media outlets, and journalists doing vital work into chaotic uncertainty — including in the Pacific.

In a statement published on its website, RSF…

Trump’s ‘free speech’ vision comes at expense of press freedom

Pacific Media Watch
Among his first official acts on returning to the White House, President Donald Trump issued an executive order “restoring freedom of speech and ending federal censorship”.
Implicit in this vaguely written document: the United States is done fighting mis- and disinformation online, reports the Paris-based global media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

Meanwhile, far from living up to the letter or spirit of his own order, Trump is…

PNG media policy ‘new era journalism’ draft law ready, says Masiu

NBC News in Port Moresby
Papua New Guinea’s cabinet has officially given the green light to the PNG media policy, which will soon be presented to Parliament for formal enactment.

Minister for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Timothy Masiu believes this policy will address ongoing concerns about sensationalism, ethical standards, and the portrayal of violence in the media.

In an interview with NBC News in Port Moresby, Masiu outlined the urgent need…

APMN's Christmas message for peace

Kia ora tatou, Kia orana, Ni sa bula / Namaste / Noaˈia ˈe mạuri, Ko na mauri, Ekamowir Omo,  Gude / Hai, Talofa lava, Fakafeiloaki, Malo e lelei, Talofa, Halo, and warm Pacific greetings from us here at the Asia Pacific Media Network.

We are sharing below the Christmas card designed and contributed by committee member Del Abcede with some quotes from the much loved sermon from Bethlehem's Lutheran Christmas Church…

Kai and Kōrero with the APMN

Asia Pacific Media Network
Members and supporters of the Asia Pacific Media Network (APMN) held a pre-Christmas “Kai and Kōrero” networking lunch at the Whanau Community Centre and Hub today.
 
Plenty of laughter and fresh ideas for 2025 were shared by about 25 community advocates, academics, activists, journalists and broadcasters from a host of action groups that share the hub along with some diverse media organisations, including the Fiji Centre and…

RSF says global attacks on journalists ‘alarming’, Gaza ‘most dangerous’ and seeks ‘urgent action’

Pacific Media Watch
The global media freedom watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has revealed an “alarming intensification of attacks on journalists” in its 2024 annual roundup — especially in conflict zones such as Gaza.

Gaza stands out as the “most dangerous” region in the world, with the highest number of journalists murdered in connection with their work in the past five years.

Since October 2023, the Israeli military have killed more than…

How media could help social cohesion and unite people – a Fiji journalism educator’s view

By Alifereti Sakiasi in Suva
Social cohesion is a national responsibility, and everyone, including the media, should support government’s efforts, according to Dr Shailendra Singh, associate professor in Pacific Journalism at the University of the South Pacific.

While the news media are often accused of exacerbating conflict by amplifying ethnic tensions through biased narratives, media could also assist social cohesion and unite people by promoting dialogue and mutual understanding, said Dr Singh.

RSF condemns assassination of Cambodian environmental journalist

Pacific Media Watch
The Paris-based global media freedom watchdog Reporters Without Borders has condemned the assassination of Cambodian investigative environmental journalist Chhoeung Chheng who has died from his wounds.

He was shot by an illegal logger last week while investigating unlawful deforestation in the country’s northwest.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has urged the Cambodian government make sure this crime does not go unpunished, and to take concrete measures to protect journalists.

New course planned to help Pacific media professionals counter disinformation

Pacific Media Watch
An Aotearoa New Zealand-based community education provider is preparing a new course aimed to help media professionals in the Pacific region understand and respond to the complex issue of disinformation.

The eight-week course “A Bit Sus (Pacific)”, developed by the Dark Times Academy, will be offered free to journalists, editors, programme directors and others involved in running media organisations across the Pacific, beginning in February 2025.

“Our course will…

APMN contingent at the 2024 ACMC conference in Vietnam

APMN
The 2024 Asian Congress for Media and Communication (ACMC) Conference with the theme “Media Construct and Constructive media” was held from 31 October to 2 November at the Vietnam National University in Ho Chi Ninh City.

Vice-president, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Dr Lê Hoàng Dũng, welcomed participants to the event which was jointly hosted by ACMC and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities at Vietnam…

Protest photographer John Miller records Hīkoi mō te Tiriti with his historic lens

For almost six decades photographer John Miller (Ngāpuhi) has been a protest photographer in Aotearoa New Zealand.

From his first photographs of an anti-Vietnam War protest on Auckland’s Albert Street as a high school student in 1967, to Hīkoi mō te Tiriti last week, Miller has focused much of his work on the faces of dissent.

He spoke of his experiences over the years in an interview broadcast at the…
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