Pacific Journalism Review (PJR) has celebrated its 30th anniversary in Fiji, marking a significant milestone as the longest-running media, journalism, and development journal in the Global South. The anniversary event, held in early July during the Pacific International Media Conference, attracted notable attendees, including cabinet ministers from Fiji and Papua New Guinea, despite the journal’s history of critical reporting.
Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister Biman Prasad, a proponent of free media, commended PJR during the launch of a new book he co-edited, titled Waves of Change: Media, Peace, and Development in the Pacific. He emphasized the importance of addressing recent developments that impact sustainable peace and stability in the region.
Timothy Masiu, Papua New Guinea’s Minister for Information and Communication Technologies, participated in the event as well, sharing his concerns about the influence of geopolitical factors on the media and advocating for genuine independence in Pacific journalism.
Since its inception in 1994, PJR has evolved beyond merely a research journal. It has promoted investigative journalism, socio-political analysis, political economy perspectives, photojournalism, and political cartooning over the past three decades. The journal adopts a broad view of Pacific journalism, including cultural politics, social movements, and the effects of globalization on indigenous cultures and national identity.
PJR is also committed to exploring critical issues such as climate change, environmental studies, and vernacular media. It has implemented innovative journalism practice-as-research methodologies, particularly in its Frontline section, which has benefited from the guidance of experienced mentors.
At the anniversary celebration, several current editorial board members attended, including Griffith University’s Professor Mark Pearson and USP’s Associate Professor Shailendra Singh. The founding editor of PJR acknowledged the influence of the Australian Journalism Review, which inspired the establishment of the journal due to the scarcity of Pacific-specific media literature.
Over the years, PJR has transitioned between several institutions for publication, including the University of Papua New Guinea, USP, and Auckland University of Technology, before moving under the nonprofit Asia Pacific Media Network in recent years.
Reflecting on its contributions, PJR has been recognized for its resilience and impact in addressing critical issues in Oceania, including threats to journalism freedom and censorship in various Pacific nations. The journal’s diverse range of over 1,100 research articles positions it as a vital resource on socio-political and development concerns in the Asia-Pacific region.
With changing geopolitical dynamics, the PJR team is focusing on a new publishing strategy to address contemporary challenges, such as climate crises and decolonization issues. The latest edition of PJR, which features a double issue on Gaza and genocide, is accessible through open access for Pacific audiences and indexed in global research databases.