Main Priority-Free Press

The World Press Freedom Day was a two-day event at the University of the South Pacific and it was also the first time USP Journalism students had taken the initiative to do something for May the third.

Suva based lawyer Mr. RichardNaidu who was the chief guest for World Press Freedom Day said “giving a dissident a platform – and a voice – is perhaps the best demonstration of the Association’s commitment to media freedom” referring to the fact that he was not so much liked by the Fiji Government.

He also said “Journalists are society’s eyes and ears – and for many people, also their voice…. There are many ways journalists can go bad but ignoring the obvious taking at face value and without question what those in power do and say is probably the worst way.”

Censorship has been lifted from newsrooms, but it seems that most journalists have taken self-censorship to another new level. This is perhaps due to the New Media Decree 2010.

Rachna Lal a well-known journalist, and a panel member had discussed about hefty fines and possible imprisonment. Journalists are now weighing the options of public interest against their personal safety.

A former journalism student Dawn Gibson who had worked for a little time in the media mainstream mentioned that working in the mainstream was like being a ‘mouth piece’ for the Government. Copying and pasting from press releases. This was what Mr. Naidu was talking about.

Unaisi Moce a returning journalism student was asked if she would report on anything that would out the government in a bad light. She replied, “it depends if I have the right sources, and I will try to balance my story and accuracy is a strong factor. I will still do my research on it, and let the editor decide whether they want to publish my story or not”.

The theme for the Media Freedom was how media can transform societies. Mr. Naidu had pointed out that there really was no point talking about how transformational media can be unless we return to a free press. The main priority is to look towards a free press.

Freedom House has rated media in Fiji to be partly free. Dr. Marc Edge Acting Head of the Journalism Department of the University of the South Pacific said, “Fiji media is right now partly free and dangerously close to not free”.

Alex Perrottet, a Masters/Postgraduate Diploma in Communication Studies student at AUT University, said that “students can in fact lead the way in a situation Fiji is currently experiencing”, during the panel discussion organized by students.

However opposing these ideas is Mr. Ricardo Morris who is a current journalist here in Fiji. He had mentioned that self-censorship here in Fiji is much more effective than censorship in the newsrooms. 

Costs and expenses are lessened, time is saved and there is so much effectiveness of other areas when there is self-censorship rather than censorship.

According to Mr. Morris, the military has managed to achieve self-censorship over the three years of having censorship in the newsrooms. 

Itaukei Students of USP to Assist with Flood Appeals

The iTaukei Students Association is planning to donate $1,000 of its funds to the people affected in the western side of Viti Levu over the recent flood.

Timoci Naiduki, the Tailevu President said that apart from all these, different provinces have been asked to give other products like clothes, food and also cash.

This drive is to help the western side with the basic necessities and help with what little good can be done through this appeal.

All provincial leaders are to have a meeting this week with members of their committees and associations to follow up on this appeal.

This is to be an initiative from itaukei students to show their support for the affected people in the west.

They are also making further appeals to anyone who would like to help.

RWC 2011

Well I must say, when it comes to the Rugby World Cup, every 'I TAUKEI' here in Fiji is at a hype. Four years ago we were so proud because we had reached the quarter-finals. That was a time everyone's emotions was high and low and many were almost in tears. I remember that in their every game whether they lost or won, i would either cry for joy if they won or cry for sadness if they lost. This year, however i was very disappointed. For their first game for the Rugby World Cup 2011, I was not so hopeful, with the rest of their games, even though they had won that game against Namibia. After that, well let us just leave it there before we get into a whole lot more tear works for the  Fiji Rugby team. I guess we've had our funeral and hopefully by some miracle there is going to be a Resurrection in the next four years in time for the next four years. Well, i guess only time will tell. Now the finals between New Zealand and France was something else.French coach Marc Lievremon had said

 

  I have contrasting emotions. I'm tremendously sad but I'm tremendously proud too. We always said the All Blacks are the best team of all time but tonight France were great. But we needed a little bit more.  The final was 'a nice story'. We will realise this maybe a little later. Of course I'm proud - the players made promises to themselves last week and they kept those promises

That was so true. Now i know for a fact that many students who stayed near school went to copper chimneys which is a bar where many students go to because it is just opposite USP in Sports City  and they went there to go watch the finals between France and New Zealand. Many students had wanted the French to win. Many say that even though New Zealand had won. it was actually the France team that was the best team in the field. I happen to agree with that perspective. The French never gave up  and neither did they puff out or got lazy. they were alert and very strong. They came out aggressive as ever when tackling or playing defence. they were good. Even in my head right now, New Zealand is not near as good as France. I am pretty sure, given just a few more minutes, France would have had another score. If only, eh? Too bad, there was no injury time.  Tom Fordyce who is the BBC’s chief sports writer blogs basically had to say that the reason New Zealand is the best team in the world is because when they young they play rugby,a dn once they start, it holds on to them. Well something along those lines.I  pretty much think that's sort of not exactly the truth because check out Fiji. Our kids play since they been young, but they didn't get to the quarter finals. so scratch that perspective i guess.......


That's it for now...when i think of something else., i'll give you the heads up!!!


France was the best team right now..Not New Zealand. They will stick to the end!!!


Faranisese

Fiji Rugby teaM 2011

Well I have to say that it has not been a good year for the Fiji 15s rugby team at the Rugby World Cup that was held this year in New Zealand.
The question that pops up in my head when watching the games was did they have enough training or did they not? There were 21 Overseas based players and the remaining were locally based players. A question that arises at this moment is, why is it that we have all these Digicel Rugby competitions and many others, only to continue to hire players from Overseas to play for our Fiji. Many Fiji locally based players have proved themselves in different games, and yet is it all just for show?
The Lautoka Rugby Union has in fact called for the resignation of Samu Domoni who coached the Fiji team and has also asked for the selectors to do their job fairly and honestly as well.
 The President for the Lautoka Rugby Union Mr. Ratu Joseva Turuva said in the Fiji Times,

<blockquote> “We have locals who are capable of doing better, those who have proven themselves in international rugby like Tabua.
We have qualified local coaches who have a proven record yet we always turn a blind eye on them looking for overseas experts.
Frankly speaking, most of these overseas rugby experts are here only for the money and they don't have pride for the team and for the country. One of the main contributing factors of the poor performance of the team was because the selectors failed to do their job honestly based on players' performances.
I really feel for the players but it's the selectors and the coaching panel that should shoulder the blame rather blaming the boys for the poor performance in New Zealand.
What the boys displayed at the world up is the seed of what they have sown during their preworld cup preparation."
</blockquote>



In the first game against Namibia, Fiji’s game plan had been set. Fiji has also played against Samoa. In the first half, they had put up a good defence, yet when the second half came, it seemed as if the Fiji boys had lost hope and had played anyhow. They had played as if it was a one man team, crushing every Fiji islander’s heart as time ticked slowly and painfully away.
Fiji was known as the Flying Fijians. However in this tournament, this tournament had become an embarrassment to the term “flying Fijians’. They were not as fast and they were sloppy. There was simply no team work and a lot of communication breakdown.
One of the matches, everybody  as looking forward to was that of Fiji playing against Wales. Four years ago, Fiji had won over Wales. The points were 38- 34. The whole of Fiji had waited expectantly for a second triumph. However it was not to be. Wales had long awaited for their revenge and got it. They thumped Fiji with the points 66 and Fiji 0, a very long awaited sweet triumph for the Welsh.

the Fiji team came back home straight after the loss against Wales. What is going to happen to the Fiji Rugby Union? No one knows. Should the administration be changed? Maybe but who is going to do that? Or if Fiji Rugby really going down the drain??

Lay off Lady GAGA!! she's cool

I am so tired of these stupid emails about Lady Gaga going around, saying she is wife of the devil...come on people..leave her alone..she is very talented and she thinks outside the box when it comes to her creativity. Just like every artist, she sings about herself, her personal life. it may be in a way that may look offensive to us, especially to christians, but i got a question, if Jesus can love her and not strike lightening down on her, why should we lack understanding for this girl..i am sure that underneath all the make-up and outfits, there is actually a really cool nice chick!!~!...All the creativity is i guess a publicity to get a lot of fans and a lot of sale...thats pretty much what the other artists do, get publicity to get sales up...so lay off Gaga...she's okay!! God Bless Lady Gaga!!

the pale horse in revelation is already here

hey every1,
i have heard of revelation and always wondered how all will come?? for exmaple the horses emntioned in revelation...i am always going..so how is every1 supposed to see it when it comes??? how will we know??? i can't comprehend how it will come and when we all see it???

BBC World NEws CAUGHT Something off the camera..first they thought it was a blotch, but it actually was in a shape of a pale horse and a man riding it..it showed itself then it just disappeared!!!...

it may be true or it may be a hoax......
but if its true, then people tell your neighbors and ur family the love of Jesus and its not to scare us..i believe its an opportunity to still accept the perfect gift!!!!
♥♥