Yearly Archives: 2020
$50m earmarked to support NZ media, mostly for broadcast outlets
By Sri Krishnamurthi, contributing editor for Pacific Media Watch
New Zealand's Minister of Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media Kris Faafoi today announced the first...
Media Council calls for ‘transparency’ over coronavirus – PNG media tested
Pacific Media Watch
The PNG Media Council has called on Papua New Guinea's Joint Task Force National Operations Centre-19 to maintain "transparency and accountability" in...
Indigenous people spearhead the fight to save the planet
By Imelda V. Abano in Manila
Indigenous people across the world are disproportionately affected by climate change. They are also leading movements to protect our...
NZ lockdown – day 28: Air NZ confirms 30 staff tested positive
By RNZ News
Air New Zealand has confirmed that 30 of its staff have tested positive for Covid-19, with 25 of them now recovered.
In a...
When Tropical Cyclone Harold meets the novel coronavirus
DISPATCH FROM THE PACIFIC: By Professor Elisabeth Holland. She writes from a remote island in Fiji’s Koro Sea where she went to stay out...
Virus stress raises Pasifika community worries on illnesses, domestic violence
By Sri Krishnamurthi, contributing editor of the Pacific Media Watch
When Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced extending the New Zealand lockdown to past ANZAC weekend,...
Three recover from Covid-19 in Fiji, PM urges follow restrictions
By Josefa Babitu in Suva
As Fiji continues to battle the novel coronavirus outbreak, good news has emerged as three Fijians who contracted the virus...
NZ lockdown – day 27: More mercy flights on way – one more virus...
Stunning drone footage taken in Auckland and Wellington during level 4 lockdown shows few vehicles and an absence of pedestrians in New Zealand's main...
Former Fiji PM Laisenia Qarase ousted in 2006 coup dies at 79
By Lice Movono in Suva
Former Fiji Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase died early today at the Oceania Hospital in Suva, following a short illness.
Confirming the...
Vanua’aku Pati’s Bob Loughman becomes new Vanuatu PM
By Godwin Ligo, Terence Malapa and Kizzy Kalsakau in Port Vila
The new Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu is Bob Loughman, president of...
Delight, relief and caution: Six experts on NZ’s move to ease virus lockdown
ANALYSIS: By Dougal Sutherland, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington; Arindam Basu, University of Canterbury; Malcolm Campbell, University of Canterbury; Martin Berka,...
PM says ‘devastating’ Māori, Pasifika inequalities factor in lockdown move
By RNZ News
The vulnerable health of an urbanised Māori and Pasifika population was among reasons for extending the country's alert level 4 lockdown, the...
MEAA welcomes making Facebook and Google pay for media content
Pacific Media Watch
Moves to make digital platforms begin to compensate media organisations for the content they have been using for free will go some...
NZ lockdown – day 26: Government extends period to next Monday
By RNZ News
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced New Zealand's level 4 lockdown will be extended five days until next Monday night.
The country went...
Pacific coronavirus: NZ’s big decision, j-schools and media closures
Pacific Media Watch
Into the fourth week of lockdown in New Zealand, and today's weekly Pacific Media Centre Southern Cross radio programme covers what...
Fiji man shot dead by NZ police after multiple machete violence reports
By Anish Chand
A Fiji man was shot dead by police in the south Auckland suburb of Papatoetoe early today.
Counties Manukau Police District Commander Superintendent...
PNG’s New Ireland steps up security after second case found over border
New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan says the provincial government will ensure communities are protected. Video: EM TV News
By Jack Lapauve Jnr in Kavieng
With...
Consider government of national unity, suggests former PM Ham Lini
Compiled by Godwin Ligo in Port Vila
The former president of the National United Party (NUP) and one time former Prime Minister, Ham Lini Vanuaroroa,...
‘Stop, listen, Papatūānuku, the earth mother, is breathing’
The Visit Auckland video "Papatūānuku (our earth mother) is Breathing".
PACIFIC PANDEMIC DIARY: By Sri Krishnamurthi, self-isolating in Auckland under New Zealand’s Covid-19 lockdown as...
NZ lockdown – day 25: Nine new cases – community spread key to lockdown
By RNZ News
Data to determine if community transmission of Covid-19 is occurring in New Zealand will be a big factor in tomorrow's decision on...
Cook Islanders stranded in NZ furious over extra isolation requirements
By Barbara Dreaver, Pacific correspondent of Television NZ
More than 300 Cook Islanders stranded and in lockdown in New Zealand are furious to receive news...
Hong Kong police arrest Next Digital founder Jimmy Lai among 14 activists
Pacific Media Watch
The Committee to Protect Journalists has called on Hong Kong authorities to drop all charges against Jimmy Lai, founder and chair of...