22 November 2008
AUT journalist runs media freedom course in Vanuatu
11 August 2006
Te Waha Nui Online
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| AUT's David Robie presents a copy of Eyes of Fire to Vanuatu Prime Minister Ham Lini. |
AUT University’s David Robie presents a copy of the memorial edition of his book Eyes of Fire on the Rainbow Warrior bombing to Vanuatu Prime Minister Ham Lini at the opening of a media training course in Vanuatu.
The book’s original foreword was written by the country’s founding prime minister Walter Lini, an elder brother who declared Vanuatu nuclear-free. He hosted the Rainbow Warrior crew and journalists a week before the Greenpeace ship was bombed in Auckland harbour on 10 July 1985.
Dr Robie ran a two-day workshop in Port Vila in August on Pacific political reporting and ethics and freedom of information for local journalists and media managers. Organised by the anti-corruption agency Transparency International Vanuatu with NZ aid, the workshop also included a public forum where media representatives, politicians, bureaucrats and civil society groups discussed freedom of information. The agency is promoting a campaign to introduce a draft Freedom of Information Bill but has faced resistance from some politicians and chiefs.
TIV president Marie-Noelle Ferrieux-Patterson, Vanuatu’s former Ombudsman, says the workshop helped strengthen the local Media Association Blong Vanuatu (MAV). “The training has served as a cornerstone for the MAV to be able to take positive steps now in addressing issues and challenges that affect the Vanuatu media industry,” she says.
MAV president Moses Stevens says the course was successful and his organisation is working closely with TIV to continue training. The Vanuatu Institute of Technology plans to introduce a journalism course next year to complement the regional programme at the University of the South Pacific. Vanuatu Daily Post: issue 1791. issue 1794
Links:
- Transparency International Vanuatu
- Award-winning journalist to conduct media training in Vanuatu
- Journalists push for freedom of information law
- France keeps legal gag on Rainbow Warrior spies
- Vanuatu Daily Post: issue 1791. issue 1794
