Prime Minister (PM) Jeremiah Manele (MP) has encouraged Pacific journalists attending the Regional Media Workshop in Honiara to continue telling the stories of the Pacific, ensuring regional decisions are meaningful and accessible to all Pacific peoples.
Speaking at the official opening of the workshop, Friday, convened by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) in partnership with the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) and the Media Association of Solomon Islands (MASI), Prime Minister Manele said the role of media was vital in shaping the collective journey of the Blue Pacific.
“Our people will ask: ‘What does this mean for me? For my family? For my community?’ It is through your work that those answers will be found,” he said.
The Prime Minister emphasised that the voices of Pacific communities must be heard beyond official communiqués and high-level strategies.
He called on the media to reflect the challenges, aspirations, and resilience of Pacific peoples as leaders deliberate on the Forum theme, “Iumi Tugeda: Act Now for an Integrated Blue Pacific Continent.”
“You will tell the stories and make these regional decisions meaningful for everyday Pacific Islanders,” he said.
“Through your reporting, the messages of our leaders will reach communities, helping people understand the decisions and discussions that affect their lives.”
Prime Minister Manele acknowledged the commitment of journalists working in small, under-resourced newsrooms and thanked them for their resilience and service to the region.
He urged them to uphold balance and ethics in their reporting while also highlighting the strengths and unity of Pacific peoples.
“The canoe of the Blue Pacific has already set sail,” the Prime Minister said. “If we paddle together, guided by our shared values and united in purpose, we will reach our destination.”
The Regional Media Workshop precedes the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting, where media will play a crucial role in bridging the gap between regional policy decisions and the daily lives of Pacific Islanders.
– OPMC
