BY CHRIS ALEX
THE British High Commissioner to Solomon Islands delivered a powerful address yesterday during a one-day workshop at the Heritage Park Hotel, facilitated by BBC Media Action and the Westminster Foundation.
The workshop aimed to equip Parliamentary officials with strategies for effective media relations, enabling them to communicate clearly and accurately with the media about parliamentary activities and manage information flow efficiently.
The workshop aims to reaffirm the commitment of the UK and its partners to strengthening democratic institutions in Solomon Islands, ensuring that both the media and Parliament work together to uphold transparency and accountability in governance.
In his remarks, the British High Commissioner, Paul Turner praised the Solomon Islands’ media landscape as “rich, diverse, vibrant, energetic, and fun.”
He expressed that a strong media presence is a hallmark of a healthy society—one that is confident in itself, willing to investigate, and capable of both challenging and reflecting on matters within the political sphere.
Quoting US Senator Hugo Black, he stated, “The press is there to serve the government, not the governors,” highlighting the role of media in holding leaders accountable.
The High Commissioner noted that the UK is at the forefront of fostering both media freedom and parliamentary accountability through its partnerships with BBC Media Action and the Westminster Foundation.
The workshop brought together two essential pillars of democracy—the media and Parliament—to enhance the skills of parliamentary officials in managing information dissemination. He stressed that the role of Parliamentarians is crucial in ensuring a transparent flow of information to the media and the public in a clear, timely, and professional manner.
Addressing global concerns about misinformation and political instability, the High Commissioner highlighted the importance of a well-functioning relationship between media and Parliament. He referenced Mark Twain’s words:
“A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is still lacing up its boots,” warning against the dangers of misinformation and the rise of populism and authoritarianism,” he said.
