The Fiji Times editor-in-chief Fred Wesley has been appointed board member of the regional Pacific Islands News Association (PINA).
He says the appointment comes at a time when some governments in the region appear to be attacking and trying to dilute the role of the media in their respective countries.
“By serving on the PINA board I hope to support our regional media organisations so that they can keep their governments accountable,” he said.
“I hope to improve debate and dialogue among our regional counterparts in order to have solidarity.
“To have an independent media sector is important for the citizens of a country and it is essential to the functioning of a democratic society.”
CEO of Papua New Guinea’s national broadcaster NBC Kora Nou was re-elected PINA president at the 6th PINA summit in Honiara recently.
Robert Iroga, the publisher of Solomon Business Magazine, was elected vice-president. Wesley is representing the print industry on the board while Dominic Appi, the manager of Nauru TV, represents the television industry.
Katalina Tohi, the general manager of Broadcom Broadcasting Ltd in Tonga, is the radio industry rep while Georgina Kekea, the president of Media Association of Solomon Islands (MASI), is representing national media bodies.
Iliesa Tora, the publisher of Nuku’alofa Times is representing online media.
