THE Fiji Times journalist Meri Radinibaravi is one of six Pacific journalists selected for the Pacific Islands Financial Investigative Reporting and Mentorship Initiative (FIRM).
The announcement was made earlier this week by the East-West Center and Report for the World. In addition, the initiative marks a new chapter in the establishment and development of financial investigative reporting units based within local newsrooms.
Also selected are Aisha Azeemah from Islands Business, Julie Badui Owa and Charmaine Poriambep from Inside PNG, Ronald Flier Toito’ona from In-depth Solomons and Siosifa Pomana from Talanoa ‘o Tonga.
Report for the World executive director Preethi Nallu said local independent media were well placed to connect communities through consistent reporting on critical issues.
In addition, Ms Nallu said these media organisations were poised to hold leaders accountable on public interest issues.
“We are delighted to work with a new cohort of journalists and newsrooms in the Pacific islands, who will explore key themes in their countries, such as climate, corruption, health, education, and gender through the finance and economy angles,” she said.
Through FIRM, organisations will receive salary support to staff these respective units for up to three years, as well as receive specialised professional development and mentorship services. A statement from East-West Centre said this training would focus on strategic financial investigative reporting skills, journalism safety, cyber security, visual journalism, and encouraging international collaboration on story design and reporting.
“These services will be provided by the East-West Center, Report for the World, the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) —a global investigative journalism network—and other expert resources as required,” the statement said.
The Fiji Times editor-in-chief Fred Wesley expressed his appreciation to the East-West Center, Report for the World and OCCRP for the support.
Wesley said there was a great need for financial investigative journalists as there was a dearth of knowledge and skills in this area in Fiji.
He said there was a need to cultivate and upskill journalists to become specialists and experts in the field, as the traditional business world kept evolving.
“When you talk about financial investigative journalism, we need to invest in people who are experienced journalists who will be able to look at issues, corruption for instance, and write about that,” he said.
“Right now, when we do analyses, we rely on experts. People like Wadan Narsey who are skilled in disciplines such as economics, who have done PhDs and Masters. For us as an organisation, it is very important that we have journalists who are skilled and that we keep developing them.
“We need assistance in having effective financial investigation training and skills and it’s not easy to get this. So, we are very grateful that we are part of it.”
The selected journalists will also be in Manila, Philippines, next week to attend the 2024 East-West Center International Media Conference from June 23 to 26.
