Pacific Media Project To Counter Fiji Bans …
- July 19th, 2010
- Posted by EUEditor
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has announced a new project to strengthen the arm of media workers and press freedom advocates, defending fundamental freedoms in the Pacific region.
ACTION BY JOURNALISTS
The scheme called Media for Democracy and Human Rights in the Pacific, is backed by the European Union and the United Nations, through UNESCO.
It aims to bring together a coalition of organisations and individuals to jointly support freedom of the media, freedom of expression, access to information and the right to free association.
FOCUS ON FIJI
“This new project will see the IFJ work with associates and colleagues from Pacific Island nations and the region to deliver on-the-ground skills development for media workers,” the 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, will oordinate a series of training activities to develop skills in monitoring of media rights in Pacific states and promote a culture of public service journalism.
Two experienced advocates of madia freedom in the Pacific, Lisa Williams-Lahari and Cherelle Jackson will be coordinators.
AID FOR CIVIL SOCIETY
“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 … and in promoting democratic processes,” Park said.
By supporting the role of journalists and the media in campaigning for media freedom and independence the program would also aid the development of civil society and democratic government.
The project will run over two years in several countries.
The IFJ based at Brussels represents more than 600,000 journalists in 125 countries.
Reference
IFJ (Pacific), Sydney, “New IFJ action to strengthen media freedom in the Pacificâ€, 18.7.10. http://asiapacific.ifj.org/en/articles/new-ifj-action-to-strengthen-media-freedom-in-the-pacific, (19.7.10). Twitter: @ifjasiapacific
Pictures
Pacific region; Fiji troops – worldproutassembly.org, solivakasama.net