THE push for greater media freedom must not come at the expense of the Pacific’s traditional ways of resolving tensions and disagreements, says Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) president Kalafi Moala.
Speaking on strengthening media sustainability during the 8th Pacific Media Summit in Savusavu, Moala said tensions between governments and the media were inevitable when journalists use their freedom to question and scrutinise those in power, but the Pacific should draw on its own traditions to resolve those disagreements.
He said talanoa remained an important way of addressing difficult issues, allowing both sides to sit together, speak openly and work towards understanding.
“We put a mat and sit down and face each other and talk,” he said.
He acknowledged that some disputes could not be resolved in a single conversation, with several sessions of talanoa sometimes needed to reach an understanding.
“There’s a responsibility in freedom. There’s a responsibility in our communication.”
Moala said Pacific approaches to these issues should reflect the region’s own cultures and values. He also stressed the importance of maintaining the diversity of Pacific communities as PINA works to strengthen its regional reach.
He said greater regional unity should not mean losing the different cultures and languages that made Pacific communities unique.
Moala also linked freedom with responsibility, referring to the Tongan concepts of freedom.
He explained that while one represented freedom of speech and the freedom to choose, the other recognised that freedom did not mean being free to lie, misinform or do whatever one wanted.
Moala said the Pacific should not simply adopt Western approaches to media freedom and Government-media relations, but must draw on its own traditions and values.
