News

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

New Asia Pacific nonprofit takes up role of PJR publishing

Asia Pacific Media Network members at a recent meeting in Auckland's Whānau Community Centre. Image: PJR

Asia Pacific Report
A new Asia Pacific nonprofit group has taken up the role of publishing the independent Pacific Journalism Review and other research and publication ventures.

The launch of the Asia Pacific Media Network | Te Koakoa Inc. (APMN) has ensured the viability of the New Zealand-based 28-year-old journal that was founded at the University…