Nakasi High School shows way to tackle hate mail, fake news
Our youths are our future leaders. It is encouraging that they are able to see through the hate being perpetuated on social media and fake news
Nakasi High School will be tackling a very important issue - fake news and hate mail against the Muslim community - when they show their short film at the Kula Film Festival.
The school’s festival co-ordinator, Waisake Mataki, says it’s about unity and the need for Fijians to see through fake news.
It is a move that needs to be applauded.
Our youths are our future leaders. It is encouraging that they are able to see through the hate being perpetuated on social media and fake news.
They feel strongly about it, they are voicing their opinion through a film.
For students to use a powerful platform such as Kula Film Festival to raise this issue is welcomed.
This needs to serve as a reminder to a lot of people that our students are not as gullible as some people think – that they seem to have too much time on their hands and are busy on social media day in and day out. When they go online, they are able to see through the hate on platforms such as Facebook and they are smart enough not to engage with those perpetuating this hate on social media.
They are translating their experience and telling their story in their own unique way.
Through their creative arts, they are able to show what’s going on in their minds.
Some of the comments made on social media were simply disgusting.
A recent outright lie was spread that the prayer room built at the Nadi International Airport caters for Muslim travellers only. What a load of hogwash.
Almost all international airports the world over have a multi-faith prayer room. But of course those who spread lies with hopes to instill fear in the masses are not bothered by what is the truth and what is an outright lie. But our youth are. Students like those of Nakasi High School, have given us hope that our youth will not blindly accept everything thrown at them.
Bravo to Nakasi High School, its co-ordinator and to every student taking part in this film.
For students to use a powerful platform such as Kula Film Festival to raise this issue is welcomed. Students such as those of Nakasi High School have given us hope that our youth will not blindly accept everything thrown at them. Our tradition and culture is slowly dying and this conference encourages us to bring back how things used to be so that we can protect our identity. George Saemane Florence Young Christian School teacher