A new organisation, the Pasifika Media Association (PasiMA), has joined the region’s

media rights community.

The association, formed

at a meeting in Samoa on August 12, endorsed Samoa Observer editor-in-chief Savea

Sano-Malifa as chair, publisher and CEO of Tonga’s Taimi Media Network Kalafi Moala as vice-chair, and Cook Islands News managing editor John Woods as

secretary-treasurer.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)

encourages the strengthening of regional actions on monitoring and reporting of

press freedom violations in the Pacific.

“The establishment of the

Pasifika Media Association upholds a

sense of solidarity among the Pasifika media industry,” IFJ

Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said.

“The IFJ welcomes all

organisations that strive to achieve the principles of a free press,

independent reporting and improved working conditions of journalists and media

personnel.”

In July, the IFJ began a

new project, Media for Democracy and Human Rights in the Pacific, which will assist to strengthen

the role of media workers and press freedom advocates in defending and

promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms across the Pacific Islands.

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