MEDIA sustainability remains one of the major challenges facing Pacific news organisations, according to newly-elected Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) president Neville Choi.
He said PINA would need to build on work already undertaken by its outgoing board to strengthen the foundations of the regional media industry.
“Sustainability has always been a problem for media in the Pacific, but I think we have plans, and the outgoing board has already set the foundation,” he said.
He said relationships between governments and media organisations would remain important in creating an environment that supported the industry.
“We know that, for example, the Fiji Government is very supportive of the media here in Fiji.
“In PNG also, we have developed a relationship with the PNG Government that we hope will set the foundation and provide an example for the rest of the Pacific Islands.”
He said PINA also needed to grow and develop as the voice of Pacific media.
He said the organisation could not continue operating in the same way if it wanted to respond to the changing needs of its members.
“It goes without question that we need to grow and develop as the mouthpiece for Pacific media.”
He said greater inclusion would also be necessary, particularly to ensure members whose voices were not represented at meetings could participate in future discussions.
He said the challenge for the new leadership was to ensure everyone’s voice was heard as PINA worked towards its next regional summit in Papua New Guinea.
