Local media gag People First Net news
Title -- 3767 SOLOMON IS: Local media gag People First Net news
Date -- 18 September 2002
Byline -- None
Origin -- Pacific Media Watch
Source -- People First Net (Solomon Is), 18/9/2
Copyright -- PFnet
Status -- Unabridged
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LOCAL MEDIA GAG PEOPLE FIRST NET NEWS
www.peoplefirst.net.sb/news/news_summary.asp#notice
HONIARA (Pacific Media Watch): Local news media groups have gagged People First Net, a Solomon Islands non-government organisation website carrying news and current affairs for grassroots community use.
The UNDP-supported website posted a statement today that it had been stopped from carrying locally sourced news, saying that "a free press and media is indeed struggling against a downward sliding economy".
"In the original spirit of the internet, which cherished the concept of freedom of information for all, PFnet has maintained a news column as a component of this philosophy and strategy," the website said.
"In most, if not all countries of the world, locally sourced news is available freely on the internet."
Major Solomon Islands news media operate "closed" websites and charge subscription fees.
PFnet said it would give its staff journalism training and build up its own capacity to generate news.
The statement said:
"PFnet may no longer carry locally sourced news (18th Sept 2002)
"Following clarification from local news media groups, PFnet will no longer be able to carry locally sourced news. PFnet has been carrying news reproduced under a verbal understanding with a local newspaper; however the board of that newspaper has now made it clear that they did and do not want any part of such an arrangement.
"PFnet wishes to make clear that it is a non-profit activity and development project, which has the aim of facilitating better access to information and exchange of information. In the interest of peace building and equitable development, PFnet believes that it is in the best interests of everyone that people, especially in remote rural communities, are given access to sources of trusted news and information. In the original spirit of the Internet, which cherished the concept of freedom of information for all, PFnet has maintained a news column as a component of this philosophy and strategy.
"In most, if not all countries of the world, locally sourced news is available freely on the internet. It is common practice to quote from other sources, giving credit where appropriate. These local news sources recognise that it is in their long-term interest to benefit from the global outreach of the internet, and make their products available online, recouping costs through advertising and opportunities, which arise as a result of the enhanced publicity and prestige, they acquire.
"It is of great concern to PFnet that, if there are to be no sources of locally generated news of Solomon Islands available on a free, non- subscriber basis in Solomon Islands, the country will lose it's own voice on the international online forum to overseas-based news sources.
"In the current situation in Solomon Islands a free press and media is indeed struggling against a downward sliding economy and it appreciates that news is very expensive to create professionally. Although there seem to be no laws covering the quotation of news on a web site by another party in this country, PFnet has no wish to cause damage, perceived or otherwise, to any of the media groups operating in this country. PFnet would like to work in partnership with such groups towards mutual benefit of the people of Solomon Islands and those media organisations. However, if there is no will and even antagonism directed against such an approach, we will voluntarily cease these news reposting.
"PFnet does have the permission of certain overseas news organisations to repost news. It will continue to use these sources, whilst negotiating with independent local news sources to publish a local voice freely on the web site for all, in the original spirit of the internet, freedom of information, trust and peace-building.
"We will also look into training staff in basic journalism, and building up our own capacity to generate news in a professional, ethical manner. Therefore, in the not too distant future, we will hope to start generating our own news in a professional manner.
"For more information about the availability of local news in the Solomon Islands, please contact the Pacific Islands News Association PINA or the local media directly."
PFnet is a UNDP-established development project implemented by the Rural Development Volunteers Association and the Solomon Islands Ministry of Provincial Government and Rural Development.
PACIFIC MEDIA WATCH is an independent, non-profit, non-government organisation comprising journalists, lawyers, editors and other media workers, dedicated to examining issues of ethics, accountability, censorship, media freedom and media ownership in the Pacific region. Launched in October 1996, it has links with the Journalism Program at the University of the South Pacific, Bushfire Media based in Sydney, Journalism Studies at the University of PNG (UPNG), the Australian Centre for Independent Journalism (ACIJ), Auckland University of Technology in New Zealand, and Community Communications Online (c2o).
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