The Sunday Times (Fiji): 13 May 2001
EDUCATION: BOOK REVIEW (REPLY TO LAISA TAGA)
On 6 May 2001, the Sunday Times republished a fullpage article "When a book is not a book" by Laisa Taga, managing editor of the southern edition of Pacific Magazine purporting to be a "review" of The Pacific Journalist. The diatribe never discussed the content of the book. For a more informed review, read Ian Boden of PNG's The National. David Robie's reply is below.
By DAVID ROBIE
I REFER to your feature (Sunday Times, 6/5) "When is a book not a book", by Laisa Taga and would like to correct several misrepresentations.
This book, The Pacific Journalist: A Practical Guide, was produced by the University of the South Pacific Journalism Programme for the benefit of our students undertaking courses and for other Pacific interested in being informed.
Had Ms Taga actually read the book, and not just the chapter on Fiji, she would have found the contributors are from the Pacific region and have had a deep and long commitment to regional journalism.
Their common ground is that almost all of them are professional journalism educators and/or working journalists involved in developing the USP journalism programme, or have contributed expertise from the University of Papua New Guinea and Divine Word University journalism programmes.
If Ms Taga was open-minded, she would learn from these contributors.
Three other Pacific Islands contributors, including two from Ms Taga's "preferred" list did not produce planned chapters in time for the publishing deadline.
There is plenty of scope for other books on the Pacific media.
I suggest she gets together with some of the people she lists and produces her own contribution.
David Robie
Journalism Coordinator
University of the South Pacific