Ministry Highlights Idea

Ministry Highlights Idea
http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=168951

By Frederica Elbourne

SUVA (The Fiji Times/Pacific Media Watch): Fiji's Education Ministry has called for a media philosophy where readers determine what they want to learn, read and hear from the media.

Principal education officer Tomasi Raiyawa of the ministry's executive support unit said there were four types of philosophies in the media world.

The first world philosophy was where the "paparazzi reigned in a realm of sensationalism, sex, beauty, drugs and politics", he said at a community-based workshop organised by Fiji Media Watch - an organisation that raises awareness on the impact of the mass media.

"When my namesake Tom Cruise came to Fiji for a holiday, the media trailed him," Raiyawa said in a lighthearted moment at the Fijian Teachers Association building in Suva.

"Fiji fell into the third world philosophy where media coverage focused on development and the improvement of lifestyles.

"I'm certain, our media in Fiji is mixed up," he said of the category the country's media fell in.

In addressing about 40 participants, Mr Raiyawa said development issues like the work of the Soqosoqo Vakamarama was "buried" in the inside pages of newspapers like The Fiji Times.

The local media was yet to take up its role in development, he said.

And Fiji, he said, was coming into the fourth world philosophy where there was state control.

The workshop concludes in Suva today.

ENDS

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