[Source: Government Press Secretariat]
Earlier today, the President of the Republic of Nauru H.E. Baron Divavesi Waqa delivered the key note address to officially open the two-day Forum Regional Media Workshop in Nauru, ahead of the 49th Pacific Islands Forum (PIFS) Leaders meeting which commences next week.
Speaking to media representatives from across the Pacific Region, President Waqa highlighted the value of the media’s role as the fourth estate within governments and societies.
“The media plays a vital role is shaping a society and keep governments accountable to their people and the policies they draft and enshrine in law. Whether you are a small organisation in a small country like Nauru, your job as gatekeepers in journalism is of extreme importance in today’s media environment.”
Day 1 of the Forum Workshop co-hosted by the Pacific Island News Association (PINA) in coordination with the Pacific Island Forum Secretariat (PIFS)
President Baron Waqa reiterated the importance of relaying reliable and factual information to the public putting emphasis on how the fast and developing world of technology and social media has blurred the lines between real journalism and fake news.
“With the fast developing world of social media and wanna-be journalists, the lines that distinguish real journalism and baseless or fake news become blurred. As journalists you need to be the reliable source of reliable and factual news for the people.”
The media workshop is facilitated by the Pacific Island News Association (PINA) in coordination with the Pacific Island Forum Secretariat (PIFS). The purpose is to bring journalists ahead of the main meeting to brief them of the issues that will be discussed by the leaders next week. Discussions throughout the workshop will help enhance the participating journalists’ knowledge and understanding of regional issues enabling them to provide better coverage of the Forum next week.
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