News

Call for Pacific journos to adapt to change

Prof Wenger, right, during a recent workshop on New Media and Multimedia Reporting with regional journalists in Suva. Picture: SUPPLIED/US EMBASSY SUVA By GERALDINE PANAPASA JOURNALISTS and the news media industry as a whole must adapt continuously to critical developments in the marketplace in order to survive and thrive in the digital age, with Fiji and the Pacific being no exceptions, says US academic Professor Debora Wenger. In her recent seminar at The University of the South Pacific Laucala Campus, Suva, titled 'Quality journalism in a digital world', the veteran journalist said multimedia skills and innovation were crucial for meeting the challenges of a rapidly-changing media landscape. She…

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Visiting US professor says multimedia skills, innovation vital for new-age journalism

Participants of the regional workshop on new media and multimedia reporting facilitated by Professor Debora Wenger and organised by the US Embassy Suva this week. Picture: US Embassy Suva Facebook Page By BEN BILUA Multimedia skills and innovation is key to adapting to the changing media landscape, says US academic Professor Debora Wenger as newsmakers around the world continue to grapple with challenges arising from the transformation of technology and social media. Speaking to journalists at a regional workshop on new media and multimedia reporting organised by the United States Embassy Suva this week, Prof Wenger said other media platforms would…

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First-hand encounters inspire USP journalism news team on climate change reporting assignment

The Barana Nature and Heritage Park is a milestone for community-based conservation in Solomon Islands. Activities include reforestation to reduce flood risks, replanting of stream or watershed areas to reduce soil erosion and sustainable land-use management practices. Picture: ROSALIE NONGEBATU/WANSOLWARA By GERALDINE PANAPASA Hearing first-hand the experiences of Solomon Islanders directly affected by climate change on a regular basis was an overwhelming experience for three final-year journalism students from The University of the South Pacific in Suva, Fiji. The students, Rosalie Nongebatu, Ben Bilua and Romeka Kumari, were part of the environmental reporting team that travelled to the Solomon Islands capital, Honiara, last month. The trip was sponsored by the Internews/Earth Journalism…

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Law students push for urgent advisory opinion as climate fight gains momentum

Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change (PISFCC) members at USP’s Emalus campus in Vanuatu. Picture: SUPPLIED/PISFCC By JARED KOLI A group of law students from the region is calling on Pacific leaders to seek urgent advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ)on the issue of human rights and climate change as the fight to reduce carbon emissions and global warming continues on a global scale. The Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change (PISFCC) group received strong support towards its climate justice initiative, garnering as many as 5000 signatures calling on Pacific leaders to consider their proposal to raise…

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Nakarawa: Still room for improvement

The Flying Fijian singing the national anthem before their match against Canada on Saturday, August 3rd at the ANZ Stadium, Suva. Picture: JENNIS NAIDU/WANSOLWARA By SEREANA SALALO The Fiji Airways Flying Fijians had their first win of the World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup in a physical encounter against Canada at the ANZ Stadium in Suva last week. The Fijian boys came out strong with a 38–13 win despite the team’s loss to Japan in the first round of the PNC. Captain Leone Nakarawasaid the team showed improvements from their last game but believed there was still more room to better…

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USP staff union welcomes 5pc pay rise

From left: USP human resources manager talent, acquisitions and management Ravinesh Shankar, USPSU president Tarisi Vacala, USP vice-chancellor Professor Pal Ahluwalia and USPSU general-secretary Ilima Finiasi during a press conference at USP's Laucala campus on the settlement of salary adjustments for USPSU members for the triennium period 2016-2018. Picture: WANSOLWARA By GERALDINE PANAPASA MORE than 500 members of The University of the South Pacific Staff Union (USPSU) will receive a 5 per cent pay increase backdated to 2016 after the University’s finance and investments committee recently approved the salary adjustments for the last triennium. While a new round of bargaining…

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Rotuman ruggers make headway

Members of the TAHA 15s rugby team during the early days of formation. Picture: SUPPLIED/TAHA By ROMEKA KUMARI Rugby is a major sport in Fiji with players and minority communities showing a lot more interest and passion in the game. Like many island-based teams, joining provincial level competition is never easy. For the TAHA rugby club, exposure at that level and beyond is what keeps them going. TAHA is a Rotuman 15s rugby team that had recently joined the Suva Rugby Union’s Koroturaga Grade this season. Sportspeople of Rotuman descent have had their fair share of success in various sports.…

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VC maps out vision for USP

An aerial view of USP's Laucala campus in Suva. Picture: SUPPLIED/USP The University of the South Pacific has come a long way since the establishment of the Laucala campus in 1968. With a new vice-chancellor and president at the helm of the region’s premier institution, the University is undergoing a revision of its strategic plan as it strives to become the institution of choice in the region. Vice-chancellor and President Professor Pal Ahluwalia took time out of his busy schedule in March this year to speak to Wansolwara about his vision for USP. Wansolwara: After some time on the job,…

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Investigative Report: Death trap on wheels

The traditional wide-open buses at the Suva bus stand. Picture: MONICA AGUILAR/WANSOLWARA By MONICA AGUILAR PASSENGERS on a good number of buses on Fiji’s roads are at risk in the event of a fire because of multiple hazards such as flawed design, lack of exits, overcrowding, and highly inflammable material used for bus construction, says a major local bus operator. The managing director of Fiji Transport Company Limited, Anil Singh, has urged Government to re-examine policies for the types of buses imported into country, the materials used in their construction locally, and their design. Fiji Transport Company Limited is a…

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USP shapes Pacific futures at Open Day event

USP Journalism students (left) share their experiences with students from Jai Narayan College in Suva. Picture: WANSOLWARA By ASHWETA RAJ The University of the South Pacific welcomed thousands of potential students during its Open Day event at Laucala campus in Suva yesterday, showcasing an array of opportunities that will enhance the student learning experience and shape Pacific futures through its internationally-accredited programmes. Students from Ovalau, Savusavu and the Western Division spent the day learning about the different programmes, certification and state-of-the-art facilities at the region’s premier regional university. Queen Victoria School student Ilisoni Nahou said the experience was overwhelming and…

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