Incoming President Kalafi Moala offers insights on the history and future of the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA).
Participants at the recent 7th PINA Summit expressed that Niue was an ideal location for the gathering of journalists, media practitioners, and partners. The biennial summit hosted in different Pacific locations welcomed attendees to Niue in 2024 with exceptional hospitality.
The event featured plenary sessions, workshops, and island tours, creating a vibrant atmosphere often referred to as “the rock.” The PINA board, in collaboration with the Government of Niue, facilitated the seamless execution of the event.
Two prominent figures from Niue, Speaker of Parliament Hema Douglas and Prime Minister Dalton Tagelagi, were notably engaged throughout the proceedings. However, Michael Jackson of the Niue Star publication, who had extended the invitation to host PINA in 2022, was unable to attend due to illness.
The summit saw participation from eighty PINA members across eleven Pacific nations, marking the 50th anniversary since PINA’s establishment in 1974. This occasion also coincided with Niue’s 50 years of self-governance in free association with New Zealand.
As a first-time visitor, the level of development in Niue impressed me, especially in comparison to other small Pacific islands. Covering approximately 260 square kilometers and home to 1,681 residents, Niue is debt-free, offers free healthcare and education, and prides itself on having the lowest crime rate in the region.
The tranquil atmosphere of Niue encouraged media leaders and journalists to reflect on the current state of media in the region and discuss its future direction. Key questions addressed included challenges facing the media and strategies for strengthening journalistic practices.
While the summit was packed with meetings and workshops, the most significant benefits arose from reconnecting with fellow journalists, sharing stories of triumph and adversity, and creating new friendships within the diverse media community.
PINA’s formal founding meeting occurred in September 1974 after the establishment of an informal network two years earlier at the first Pacific Islands editors’ conference in Suva, Fiji. The inaugural office was set up at the University of the South Pacific, with founding members from across the Pacific.
In 1985, PINA held its first elections and initiated annual conferences. The leadership included Fata Pito Fa’alogo, president and editor of Samoa Times, and Tavake Fusimalohi, executive director and Radio Tonga general manager.
Over the last five decades, PINA has played a vital role in shaping media practice in the region, particularly following the merger of the Pacific Islands Broadcasting Association (PIBA) and PINA in 2004, which established PINA as the primary media association representing the region’s “fourth estate.” This merger has allowed for the active shaping of media landscape developments within Pacific nations.
The watchdog role of the media became crucial, especially during the early independence movements of various nations. Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu began sharing their narratives in new ways, enriching the region’s media landscape.
With the establishment of journalism programs at universities throughout the region, including Divine Word University, opportunities for professional training in the field expanded significantly. PINA’s Secretariat has played a key role in coordinating various training initiatives, which continue to be a core focus.
The media environment in the Pacific has dramatically transformed. Over the past 30 years, the emergence of independent media has fostered more freedom in news coverage, separate from traditional control by governmental and religious authorities.
However, the rise of independent media has sometimes clashed with governance systems that resist accountability. Journalists faced physical threats and arrests for their truth-telling endeavors, challenging the comfort levels of established powers unaccustomed to critical media scrutiny.
Despite some progress in the treatment of journalists, challenges persist, with some regions still experiencing press persecution. The pressing need for funding has somewhat overshadowed the traditional media roles of advocacy and public service, leading to a focus on securing financial resources rather than fulfilling their critical watchdog responsibilities.
This became apparent in Niue, where discussions leaned more toward funding acquisition than media’s role in governance and accountability.
Looking ahead, this article marks the first part of a two-part series reflecting on PINA’s journey over the past 50 years.