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:
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