Incoming President Kalafi Moala offers insights into the history and future of the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA). The Pacific Islands Media Freedom (PIMF) Index 2023, released by the Pacific Freedom Forum (PFF), highlights the difficulties faced by media in the region. According to the report “State of Media Freedom,” respondents ranked issues from 1 to 5, with 1 being the most serious. The economic realities of maintaining operations and socio-cultural pressures were identified as the foremost challenges, followed by political and legal obstacles.
The first PIMF Index publication, introduced at the Niue PINA Summit, is seen as a significant step to recalibrate focus on media freedom in the Pacific, a crucial element for impactful storytelling. In an editorial, PFF Forum Chair Robert Luke Iroga emphasized the commitment to uphold Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which recognizes freedom of expression and information as essential human rights.
There are growing concerns that regional media is being driven by financial motivations rather than truth. As media freedom advances in the Pacific, the increasing reliance on corporate or geopolitical funding raises questions about independence. Arrangements between PINA and funding agencies, along with partnerships between donors and struggling media outlets, often masquerade as capacity building efforts but may undermine journalistic integrity.
Recent surges in funding from Western nations are linked to geopolitical tensions in the Pacific, suggesting that control over media narratives is being sought to influence island nations’ choices of international partnerships. While financial support is necessary, protecting the independence and values of regional media must remain a priority. Partnerships should align with the shared goals of serving the community rather than compromising principles in exchange for funding.
The independence of media is fundamental; without it, freedom becomes meaningless, ultimately hindering efforts to support the populations served by journalists. Currently, narratives about the Pacific are predominantly shaped by outsiders, which affects how local culture and issues are perceived, especially among younger generations. These narratives often stem from those disconnected from the region and its realities.
Donors interested in developing Pacific media appear more focused on how local stories are relayed to external audiences rather than addressing the concerns and perspectives of residents. This leads to a scenario where news aims primarily at foreign markets, relegating local narratives to secondary status.
PINA was established to support media across the entire region, yet even after 50 years, substantial areas in the Pacific remain unrepresented. Notably, during the summit, Melanesian regions were well represented, while Polynesia and Micronesia were noticeably absent, highlighting a significant gap that needs addressing.
In the coming year, PINA must prioritize inclusivity and work to integrate those who have been marginalized from representation. This requires fostering relationships throughout the Pacific region and conducting subregional gatherings to strengthen media networks and establish partnerships with emerging regional organizations.
The involvement of key media figures, such as Pacific Media Network’s Don Mann from Auckland and Pacific TV and Radio’s Sulieni and Toa Layt from Brisbane, during the summit indicates a collaborative spirit. Their participation emphasized the importance of serving the substantial Pacific populations in Australia and New Zealand.
Moving forward, the focus should be on collaboration without relinquishing control to external partners. Instead, PINA seeks to engage with allies committed to building a peaceful and prosperous future for the region.
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