The essential role of democracy's fourth estate, free, responsible journalism (and the difficulty of balancing these two elements) has been a recurring theme on this blog, particularly as it applies to Fiji. Here Prof David Robie reflects on the challenges facing "good journalism" in New Zealand and the Pacific.
A hyperlink to his recent address "The Digital Revolution, a Free Press and Student Journalism" at USP's 21st Anniversary Journalism Awards ceremony is provided at the end of the article -- Croz
A hyperlink to his recent address "The Digital Revolution, a Free Press and Student Journalism" at USP's 21st Anniversary Journalism Awards ceremony is provided at the end of the article -- Croz
AUDIO: What does good journalism mean? Lisa Er talks to David Robie
Green Planet FM's Lisa Er talks to Pacific Media Centre's David Robie
on the state of the media in NZ and the Asia-Pacific region.
Thursday, November 5, 2015
Item: 9472
Lisa Er
INTERVIEW: AUCKLAND (Green Planet FM / Pacific Media Watch): Freedom of the press describes the right to gather, publish, and distribute information and ideas without government restriction.
This right encompasses freedom from censorship, but does our media really have complete freedom in New Zealand? We need to ask this question when we see the government’s response to Nicky Hager’s investigative journalism, and Channel 7 is removed from TV in spite of having half a million viewers.
A journalist was recently no longer required by the
New Zealand Herald after writing an honest critique of the TPPA, and what happened to
Campbell Live and why?
David Robie, professor of communication studies and Pacific journalism, director of the Pacific Media Centre, journalist and author answers these questions and more.
David Robie, professor of communication studies and Pacific journalism, director of the Pacific Media Centre, journalist and author answers these questions and more.
Are journalists part of a movement that merely holds up a mirror to society with all
its cynicism, or are they part of a process of empowerment and action for a better world?
Why
are certain topics ignored? Perhaps the headings would not be sexy
enough. Perhaps
sport and tabloid news are appealing to the masses more than educated
comment on important events in this country and around the world.
Have the corporations bought the larger media outlets? How do economic issues affect the impartiality of the media?
Have the corporations bought the larger media outlets? How do economic issues affect the impartiality of the media?
Optimistic view
In spite of all this, David Robie is optimistic about the work of "our last TV public broadcaster" - Maori TV.
However, he is concerned for his students as to what sort of career they can expect in New Zealand’s media.
In spite of all this, David Robie is optimistic about the work of "our last TV public broadcaster" - Maori TV.
However, he is concerned for his students as to what sort of career they can expect in New Zealand’s media.
Political crises and indigenous issues throw a spotlight on a region’s news media and
its role in democracy.
David Robie champions media scrutiny in the Pacific and believes more research will contribute much to the communications industry. This is an area where young journalists can go and experience stories that need to be reported, but they might be dangerous assignments.
David Robie champions media scrutiny in the Pacific and believes more research will contribute much to the communications industry. This is an area where young journalists can go and experience stories that need to be reported, but they might be dangerous assignments.
For example in West Papua people are being arrested and detained for taking part in
peaceful activities.
The victims of security force harassment and violence in West Papua are predominantly those who have publicly expressed their support for self-determination or independence.
We hear little about this in New Zealand, although Māori Television did a story recently. The journalists were escorted by the Indonesian authorities, however.
The victims of security force harassment and violence in West Papua are predominantly those who have publicly expressed their support for self-determination or independence.
We hear little about this in New Zealand, although Māori Television did a story recently. The journalists were escorted by the Indonesian authorities, however.
Embarrassing Indonesia
Perhaps if the world’s mainstream media reported on this it would embarrass Indonesia into modifying their behaviour somewhat.
Perhaps if the world’s mainstream media reported on this it would embarrass Indonesia into modifying their behaviour somewhat.
Also “Understanding our neighbours is vitally important and researching and publishing
on the media is an important goal for good governance for the region,” says Professor Robie.
Having been a journalist on board the
Rainbow Warrior on the voyage leading up to the bombing in 1985, David has always had an interest in peace.
He talks on how peace journalism can challenge "war voyeurism".
Is a peace keeper keeping peace peacefully when carrying a gun, for example.
He talks on how peace journalism can challenge "war voyeurism".
Is a peace keeper keeping peace peacefully when carrying a gun, for example.
Peace journalism explains conflicts and the reasons for them in some depth. It gives
all parties a voice, whereas war journalism is propaganda oriented and is mainly concerned with victory.
“The
idea of peace journalism troubles some journalists – mostly due to a
lifetime
of relying on ‘conflict’ as a core news value. This is surprising,
because in this era of ‘infotainment’ and super-hype in news media, this
peace notion is much more about reasserting basic news values such as
truth, context, fairness and depth.”
Reporters and editors have the choice to create opportunities for society to consider
non violent responses to conflict.
This is an example of where journalists can be a part of the solution and not part of the problem.
This is an example of where journalists can be a part of the solution and not part of the problem.
* David Robie has written 10 books on the region’s politics and media, including
Mekim Nius: South Pacific
politics, media and education; Eyes of Fire, a book about the bombing of the
Rainbow Warrior, and Don’t Spoil My Beautiful Face: Media, Mayhem and Human Rights in the Pacific (Little Island Press,
2014). He was awarded the 2005 PIMA Pacific Media Freedom Award and the 2015 Asia Communication Award.
This work is licensed under a Creative
Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 New Zealand Licence.
Pacific Media Watch
Pacific Media Centre | Te Amokura
D-87 School of Communication Studies
WG1027
Communications Precinct
2 Governor Fitzroy Place
AUT University
Private Bag 92006
AUCKLAND 1142
Aotearoa/New Zealand
www.pacmediawatch.aut.ac.nz
Pacific Media Centre | Te Amokura
D-87 School of Communication Studies
WG1027
Communications Precinct
2 Governor Fitzroy Place
AUT University
Private Bag 92006
AUCKLAND 1142
Aotearoa/New Zealand
www.pacmediawatch.aut.ac.nz
Editor: Professor David Robie david.robie@aut.ac.nz
Contributing Editor: Alistar Kata pmedia@aut.ac.nz
To join PMW listserve: http://mailman.aut.ac.nz/mailman/listinfo/pacific_media_watch_list
Twitter: @pacmedcentre
Pacific Media Centre:
www.pmc.aut.ac.nz
Tel: (+64 9) 921 9388
Link to Prof Robie's USP Journalism Awards ceremony paper
http://cafepacific.blogspot.co.nz/2015/11/the-digital-media-revolution-free-press.html
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