"Policy and Legislation: The government broadcaster VBTC administers broadcast licences in Vanuatu. Under the Newspaper Act 1982, newspaper owners must be Vanuatu citizens. Freedom of expression is guaranteed in the constitution, but there is no specific protection for freedom of media, and threats
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against journalists are fairly common. The Media Association Blong Vanuatu (MAV) has a code of ethics for its members but no mechanism for enforcing its provisions.
Media Systems: During an emergency, NDMO coordinates communication and works with all existing radio stations including VBTC to get information out. There is a national disaster plan drafted that is currently under review. VBTC has no emergency disaster plan. TVL, the only landline provider in Vanuatu, has its own in-house procedures in the case of an emergency. A major challenge is coverage, upgrading TV and radio services to other provinces, and ensuring that equipment is maintained.
Capacity Building: The Vanuatu Institute of Technology (VIT) in Port Vila offers a two-year Diploma and one-year Certificate course. There are efforts being made to develop a feeder media and communication curriculum for Year 11 and 12. While enrolled, it is common for students to undertake internships and develop their industry networks for possible future employment. Technicians in Vanuatu either learn on the job or obtain their training overseas. The Media Association Blong Vanuatu (MAV) was established in 2006. MAV has an office at the VIT and relies on volunteers.
Content: Vanuatu has an active meteorology department, which heads the climate change task force; The Vanuatu Association for NGOs does intense work on climate change with its partners. Climate change awareness in Vanuatu to date has been done both via mass media and via community-based work. Integration of climate change issues into the school curriculum has been started. There is a Policy on Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) but no communication strategy. The government works in partnership with stakeholders in the NGO sector to produce programs on NCDs. Media coverage around NCDs mainly includes news stories of events or publications of reports." (Summary of findings)
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"Policy and Legislation: The key organisation is the Nauru Media Bureau, which is government-run. Relevant legislation: Wireless Telegraphy Act of 1974. No freedom of information legislation. Telecommunications have shifted from a state monopoly to a private monopoly.
Media Systems: There is only o
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ne technician for the media bureau. Technician training is received primarily from the local telecommunications company. The Disaster Risk Management Act was formulated in 2008 and mandates that radio and television are the primary communication vehicles during an emergency or crisis. The National Disaster Risk Management Office (NDRMO) was established in 2010. The NDRMO is developing a national drill and exploring possibilities for an early warning system such as a siren or PA system. The former evacuation centre is currently being used as a camp by the Australian authorities to house refugees; Nauru does not have another evacuation centre.
Capacity Building: Capacity building of media professionals in Nauru is severely affected by a lack of available funds. Training is received from senior staff, but the senior staff have few, if any, opportunities for additional training. There are no TVET s in Nauru. Participation in media associations (like PINA) has ceased since 2008.
Content: Nauru is behind other Pacific countries in terms of policy formulation and action on climate change. Climate change is included in the Sustainable Development Strategy, with most key documents slated to be drafted in 2012 and signed off in 2015. The Nauru Media Bureau reports on climate change but has little training in communication. The Nauru Youth Association is involved in awareness campaigns for climate change. Nauru has the most high-risk population in the Pacific, with 79.3% of people in the high-risk health category, and relatively high levels of diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol, although the rates of diabetes have declined since the 1970s. The director of the Public Health Department in Nauru has been very active in delivering a number of NCD programs across Nauru’s 14 District Councils, with budgets for communication plans." (Summary of findings)
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"Policy and Legislation: Freedom of the Press is guaranteed in Clause 7 of the constitution. Amendments to the constitution in 2003 enabled the government to restrict media freedom. The Communication Act 2000 allows the government to restrict or prohibit content or particular types of content, and r
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egulates the ways in which Tongan culture and identity are represented in the media. The Newspaper Act and Media Operators Act 2003 licenses newspapers as well as broadcasters, and includes a restriction on the importation and sale of foreign media.
Media Systems: Technicians typically rely on bilateral assistance programs for donated (but usually old) equipment. Technicians purchase equipment online from companies primarily based in New Zealand. Engineers are keen to work together to pool resources and training from abroad. Tongan technicians are sent overseas for up-skilling, and special trainers are occasionally brought in from overseas; they also maintain their own relationships and seek advice from other technicians overseas. The National Plan for Emergency Information was formulated in 2007 and is undergoing revision. The National Emergency Management Office works with the Red Cross for disaster preparedness. Digicel works closely with the Disaster Management Committee to broadcast information immediately via mobile (SMS) and television; Radio Tonga is also a significant player. In the most recent events where early warning messages were delayed, TBC did not relay them for almost 25 minutes, and people were already on their way to work and school.
Capacity Building: The Tonga Institute of Higher Education has Certificate and Diploma courses in journalism; all of the students in 2011 were women. TVET training is perceived as inadequate, with students who have undertaken media internships lacking practical or technical skills. TBC is currently the only active member of PINA in Tonga, and PasiMA has emerged as a player for members of private media. Local politics and competition between different individuals and organisations play a significant role in the success or failure of media associations and organisations in Tonga.
Content: The balance and quality of international content as compared with locally produced content represents a key concern for members of the media industry. Tonga has a formal communications plan as part of the Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change program (PACC) which focuses on delivery of climate change messages. Many of the messages about climate change need to be simplified, made relevant or translated into Tongan language and concepts. Media experts go to Tonga Family Health or the Government Centre for Women & Children - Ma’a Fafine mo e Famili - for information about NCDs. Tonga Health Promotion Foundation does not undertake any media training and has had little training on how to engage with the media or how media campaigns should work. Telecommunication companies (e.g., Broadcom and Digicel) have been particularly active in NCD awareness activities." (Summary of findings)
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"Policy and Legislation: The Ministry of Communication, Transport and Tourism Development (MCTTD) is responsible for regulation of media and telecommunications. Within the MCTTD the Broadcasting and Publications Authority (BPA ) is responsible for public service media. The Kiribati government has us
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ed licensing laws to control the media and media professionals. The Telecommunications Act of 2004 allows for competition but so far services are provided by a governmentowned monopoly.
Media Systems: There is some informal cooperation among technicians in Kiribati across government media, telecommunications and church media. There is a lack of funding to fix major technical faults, and this has led to the shutdown of radio services for several months at a time in the past. The current Disaster Management Plan is not comprehensive and requires further development, especially in relation to communications.
Capacity Building: Few journalists, technicians and other media staff have formal qualifications. In-house training is preferred due to costs and access. The government does have a process for applying for funding for training. The national media association, Kiribati Islands Media Association (KIMA), was recently revived, but journalists don’t have confidence that they would be supported if they were pressured by the government.
Content: Churches, NGOs and government departments produce content for mass media, though skills and fees are a concern for some. There is some ‘message fatigue’ in relation to climate change issues. Many people are not receptive to messages about climate change due to the conflict between science and their religious beliefs. There are some basic campaigns and promotional activities addressing NCD related issues." (Summary of findings)
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"Policy and Legislation: Communications legislation is broadly based on a US model. States are responsible for media legislation and regulation, resulting in uneven development in this area. Freedom of speech is guaranteed in the constitution, and freedom of media has not been challenged in recent y
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ears. Telecommunications is regulated nationally; FSM Telecommunications Corporation is the only telecommunications provider.
Media Systems: There is a shortage of technicians in Pohnpei. Technicians in Pohnpei, at the different companies, generally support one another, both formally (for a fee) and informally. Technical support is available through US-based companies. The Disaster Preparedness Plan has recently been reviewed; the key stakeholders had not yet been briefed on their roles and responsibilities. There is no local awareness of an emergency communications or broadcasting plan. The national government has recently installed new sirens in Pohnpei; similar systems are planned for the rest of the states.
Capacity Building: There are reports of at least two new media associations being launched in Micronesia with strong links to FSM, though interviewees did not report being part of those groups and regional travel was raised as an issue; one local Catholic media production organisation is supported by a regional Catholic media association. The College of Micronesia’s media program has been discontinued due to staff shortages, raising an issue of the sustainability of initiatives that rely on individuals. As well as a shortage of employment options for media and journalism students, there are social and cultural issues with young people trained in journalism questioning elders, resulting in the limiting of career options. Media and communications practitioners report using the internet to teach themselves new skills. Lack of targeted training invitations can result in valuable training opportunities being missed by the most appropriate people within organisations.
Content: NGO, church and government groups are active content producers on a range of themes. Radio staff are seen as not having the capacity to clearly communicate climate change issues. There is a lack of connection between media and climate change organisations. Currently, NCD communication and awareness activities are not coordinated; there are plans to better coordinate the different stakeholders." (Summary of findings)
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"Policy and Legislation: The Ministry of Transportation and Communication is responsible for registering broadcasting stations. Freedom of speech and the press are guaranteed in the Bill of Rights. There is no media self-regulating body, and no media association. There is no FOI legislation. Telecom
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munications are currently a monopoly but the government is working with the World Bank to open the market to competition.
Media Systems: Technicians primarily use personal and professional networks for assistance. Equipment providers are also a source of advice. NTA is a member of PITA and ITU. The National Disaster Management Plan is currently under review. There is a lack of clarity of the roles and responsibilities in a disaster, and a perceived lack of political will. Some available communication technologies are not being integrated.
Capacity Building: NGOs have been able to access limited opportunities for media and communications training. Most technicians are trained on the job. There is no local media association. There are no local TVET courses relating to media and communication.
Content: Radio remains an important platform in the Marshall Islands. WUTMI is a significant contributor of C4D content. Several NGOs are active advocates regarding climate change. Government departments and NGOs use radio for NCD communication." (Summary of findings)
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"Policy and Legislation: Since the introduction of the government’s Media Decree in 2012, the Fiji Media Industry Development Authority censors and controls the media industry. The constitution guaranteeing freedom of the press has been suspended since 2009. Threats against local and international
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journalists and editors have been common since the military takeover. Some sections of the Fiji Media Council Code of Ethics are included in the Media Decree but others are left out. Regular amendments create a tense atmosphere in the Fijian media industry. Fiji government representatives nevertheless argue that the various decrees, which were put in place, have empowered the general population by giving them greater voice and improved their access to information.
Media Systems: Fiji has had a National Disaster Management Plan since 1995. Radio Fiji and FM96 are used to communicate emergency warnings during natural disasters. The Early Warning System also includes SMS messages, warning sirens, cars with speakers, and word of mouth. Fiji has agreements with telecommunications companies to provide emergency calls for free. During 2011 floods, social network sites were used by people to access information. Most technicians have no formal training and there is no institution in Fiji offering broadcast technicians training. Technicians with formal training may have qualifications in related fields from Fiji National University. There is no formal network of technicians in Fiji. Informal networks and internet forums are used to seek advice and information. FemLINKpacific trains women in content production using radio, video and mobile suitcase transmitters.
Capacity Building: Several education and training initiatives are available in the area of media and communications in Fiji; the main institutions are USP and FNU. Fiji is an education hub for the region. Journalists also receive on the job training, and access training and workshops offered by SPC and UN agencies. Recent training has focused on media law training in relation to the new regulations and amendments. FNU offers vocational courses in journalism, media production, and technical skills, and film production. FNU’s completion rate is 80 per cent. Graduate outcomes are recorded. Many graduates choose to work in the NGO sector. FNU is challenged by a shortage of teachers. There is no media association in Fiji. The Fiji Media Council closed following the changes in legislation in 2009 and 2010.
Content: Climate change is a national priority. USP is playing a leading role in using participatory approaches to climate change communication. There is a lack of awareness of the impacts of climate change in the general community. There is a reported ‘jargon gap’; bridging this gap is seen as important. There is no targeted training around NCDs for journalists. Climate change communication occurs across many media outlets including radio, TV, Several communication initiatives on the topic of NCDs have been broadcast in Fiji, including radio campaigns and TV documentaries. These are in conjunction with inter-personal communication methods." (Summary of findings)
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"Policy and Legislation: The Communications Division within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Industries and Commerce is responsible for licensing and regulation of the communications industry, including licensing and handling complaints. Freedom of media is guaranteed in the constitution and i
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s generally respected in practice. Media outlets use a range of international codes of ethics. Telecommunications is open to local investment; foreign investment is more regulated.
Media Systems: Local technical capacity is limited. Palau has an updated National Disaster Risk Management Framework. Several problems were noted in relation to the current procedures for the early warning system which lead to uneven and delayed distributions of emergency information.
Capacity Building: There are currently no local training institution offering media and communications courses. Most journalists in Palau work part-time in other professions. Few have qualifications in media and communications. Interviewees stated a preference for basic training in journalism, rather than issues-specific training. There is no local media association.
Content: Palau has not yet developed key climate change policies and plans. Interviewees suggest there is some information fatigue in relation to climate change issues. The identified challenges to climate change reporting are finding new ways to report on the issue, and its inaccessibility to the population due to difficulties with translating key terms. Palau has declared a State of Emergency in relation to the NCD epidemic. The key challenges to NCD reporting are weak links between media and health agencies, dry reporting formats, and irregular coverage which usually follows funding allocations." (Summary of findings)
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"Policy and Legislation: Media and Communication Legislation in Samoa includes the Broadcasting Act 2010, Film Control Amendment Act 2010, Newspapers and Printers Act 1992-1993, Telecommunication Act 2005, Telecommunication Amendment Act 2007, Telecommunication Amendment Act 2008 and the Samoa Broad
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casting Corporation Act 2003. Section 13 of Samoa’s constitution guarantees freedom of expression, though there is no specific reference to freedom of the media. No freedom of information legislation in Samoa. The Broadcasting Act 2010 allowed for the establishment of a regulator within an Office of the Broadcasting Regulator. The Code of Ethics was developed by JAWS (Journalists Association of Western Samoa). The Telecommunication Act 2005 (with the 2007 and 2008 amendments) allowed for telecommunications regulatory responsibilities to be managed within the Office of the Broadcasting Regulator. Samoa has also developed policies in the area of ICTs and e-Government.
Media Systems: There are no specific associations for technicians and no support networks; JAWS is not viewed as a successful network for technicians. Telecommunications technicians access knowledge within their companies. The primary media outlet in a disaster is the government AM radio broadcaster, 2AP (within the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology). There is also a National Emergency Telecommunications Plan that involves landline and mobile providers (Digicel and BlueSky Samoa). The Disaster Monitoring Office uses media strategically in the lead up to drills and awareness days, and has published locally produced videos online relating to disaster preparedness and awareness.
Capacity Building: JAWS and PINA provide support to media professionals in SAMOA. PasiMA was also established with several representatives from Samoan media. Reliance on in-house training is not as easy for all local media outlets and the need to train junior staff is a drain on the time of senior staff. The Media and Journalism Department at the National University of Samoa (which merged with Samoa Polytechnic in 2006) offers a one-year certificate in journalism; an additional diploma year was added in response to industry dissatisfaction with the quality of graduates. The course curriculum is based on the Pacific Media Communication Facilities (PMCF) course design developed by PINA and is being implemented across the other TVETS in the Pacific (Fiji, PNG, Vanuatu and Tonga). A major challenge of the programs is that enrolling at the polytechnic is one of the only options for further education open to students who have not achieved high academic scores in the PSSV (Pacific Secondary School Certificate).
Content: Samoa has made progress in relation to climate change awareness, and concern among the government, the media and the general public is reported to be medium or high. Little access to workshops and training for media professionals is reported on NCDs or climate change. Training is welcome, particularly for assistance with interpreting scientific reports written in English. Barriers to media coverage of NCD-related issues are reported to include confused messages due to the fragmentation of the health sector; a lack of awareness of who is responsible for health communication; lack of targeting of messages; and conflicting messages. Youth have been important to disaster awareness activities; the school curriculum includes climate change and disaster management with resource kits available for teachers from early childhood level through to secondary school." (Summary of findings)
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