IFJ Action to Strengthen Media Freedom in the Pacific

 

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is currently implementing a new project in the Pacific designed to strengthen the role of media workers and press freedom advocates in defending and promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms in the region.

 

Media for Democracy and Human Rights in the Pacific, which is supported by the European Union and UNESCO, aims to bring together an enduring coalition of organisations and individuals who will jointly promote and defend rights related to freedom of the media, freedom of expression, access to information and the right to free association.

 

“This project sees the IFJ work with associates and colleagues from Pacific Island nations and the region to deliver on-the-ground skills development for media workers in the region,” IFJ Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said.

 

Media for Democracy and Human Rights in the Pacific is an IFJ-coordinated project which has particular relevance to Fiji as a country where fundamental freedoms are at great risk and pose negative repercussions for other States in the region.”

 

IFJ Asia-Pacific, with national and regional organisations based in the Pacific, has coordinated a series of training and related activities to develop skills in monitoring of media rights in Pacific States and promoting a culture of public service journalism.

 

The work is being implemented by the IFJ with Lisa Williams-Lahari as local coordinator and media rights monitor. She has extensive experience in advocating media freedom across the Pacific.

 

“Journalists and their organisations have an important role to play in ensuring that censorship, restrictions and attacks against the media and media personnel are not tolerated, that media independence is valued and encouraged, and in promoting democratic processes and accountable governance,” Park said.

 

“By supporting the role of journalists and the media in campaigning for press freedom and media independence, the program will reinforce the central role of an independent media in promoting civil society, democratic discourse and human rights for all within the Pacific community.”

 

The project runs over 24 months, with phased activities conducted in various countries.

 

The most recent activity of the project was a roundtable meeting of Pacific journalists and media partners which highlighted the importance of developing media skills and standards for both mainstream and citizen

reporters.

 

A copy of the outcomes statement for the activity is availablefor download here: Pacific Media Rising 2011 - Outcomes Statement.pdf

 

 

Project associates:

Pacific Freedom Forum (PFF)

Pacific Media Centre (PMC)

Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC)

Pacific Islands News Association (PINA)

Journalists' Associaiton of Samoa (JAWS)

Engineering, Print and Manufacturing Union (EPMU), New Zealand

Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance, Australia

 

 

For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +612 9333 0919

 

The IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 125 countries

 

Find the IFJ on Twitter: @ifjasiapacific