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 | Media educator, Shailendra Singh speaking to journalism students about conflict reporting |
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A media educator says that Pacific news media need to assume a constructive and active approach to reporting on conflicts.
Speaking to journalism students at a recent forum at the University of the South Pacific (USP) Laucala Campus in Suva, Singh said the way the media covers conflicts needs to be relooked.
He said this was especially important for Fiji, where "instability has caused a huge and lasting setback on development".
Singh is currently pursuing doctoral studies in Brisbane. The focus of his research is on conflict reporting in Fiji and the Pacific.
Singh was awarded a USP staff development scholarship, and has also received two awards from the University of Queensland: the International Research Scholarship award, and Vice-Chancellor's scholarship for top student candidates.
Singh said local talent is sometimes underestimated as Fiji is a small country, but he said Fijians are doing well internationally, with some teaching at top Australian and New Zealand universities at professorial level and local doctors, nurses, teachers and other trades are also highly sought after.
Singh is using the media coverage of Fiji’s 2006 elections as a case study, investigating allegations that traditional journalism frameworks fuel conflicts by focusing on the indicators of conflict, such as violence, while avoiding complex explanations.
Singh has carried out a national journalist survey, and has critically analysed the 2006 elections. He has also carried out in-depth interviews with various media stakeholders.
Singh said he is looking to propose a possible responsible conflict reporting framework.
"In a nutshell, this is journalism sensitised to its role in, and impact on, conflict. This is important for Fiji, where instability has caused a huge and lasting setback on development."
Singh said there was always room for improvement, with regards to media standards.
He said English language skills needed to be improved along with other factors, in order to have a stronger journalistic environment.
“The standard of English in Fiji was quite high until the 1987 coup, which caused a huge flight of skills, including English teachers and journalists. We have never filled the gap because of successive coups," said Singh.
He said a high turnover of journalists had also affected standards because the "ability to write analytically develops with time and experience. In Fiji, many journalists leave the industry before their time."
“Some older journalists were still in the industry but they were running newsrooms rather than writing or reporting,” he said.
He said market conditions, production deadlines, competition and the need to keep costs low were also impacting on Fiji’s media standards, as in other countries.
Singh said, despite resource limitations, the journalism programme at USP, has achieved several international benchmarks such as winning the prestigious Ossie Awards on a number of occasions.
He also highlighted the achievements of USP journalism graduates who have secured prestigious international scholarships and proved to be highly employable in the region.
Apart from being in the mainstream news media; Singh said graduates have also become representatives in international organisations such as the Greenpeace, World Wildlife Fund, Red Cross, and United Nations agencies.
Singh said all the student achievers mentioned were hard working, committed and ambitious.
He told the students to have confidence in the programme, and to have a good attitude.
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