Forum extends invite to media

Secretary-general Martel says media must be part of action to combat climate change in the region.

In a bid to advocate and find ways of getting Pacific islanders to work together to combat climate change, the Pacific Islands Development Forum is extending an invitation to media organisations in the region to join the forum.

Secretary-General Francois Martel, who attended the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union Media Summit on Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction at the Sheraton Fiji Resort on Denarau, told Fiji Sun they had identified the media as one of the powerful arms that could bring about change that was needed.

“I have made a call to the Pacific media to join the PIDF as a stakeholder, so that you’re part of the action as opposed to just being an observer and a reporting tool,” he said.

“By joining, the media can make their own perceptions on specific issues, but actually have the chance to be at the table just like civil society is and like the private sector is. “I gave the example of the vehicle where the Government is the driver, the civil society is the GPS, and the key question is where does the media stand.

“It has an important role to play so is it part of the GPS. Is it part of the civil society or is it something else that is part of the vehicle?” Mr Martel called on media organisations in the region to take up the challenge.

“We’ve always recognised the media as one of the key stakeholders in all activities related to sustainable development in the Pacific. Climate change is one issue, green growth is another issue, blue economy is another issue and it would be very important to have the media have a good understanding of these issues,” he said.

“If they have a good understanding of the action and the response, then journalists would be able to do an ever better reporting.”