BY MIKE TUA
THE Media Association of Solomon Islands President, Georgina Kekea has reacted to the Media Awards 2022 on Saturday night with a positive reflection and cautious optimism, saying in her speech, “Journalism lest we forget is also a public calling.”
While praising the local media industry’s struggle to safeguard democracy, Kekea called for journalists and media practitioners take pride in their work and the industry that they serve.
“MASI as a body is always emphasising on professionalism of the media and really wants to see the standards of journalism raised. Not only in journalism but in all aspects.
“But then at the end of the day, it’s not about ourselves, nor is it about our government. But it is for our people, whom we are serving. The question is – what are doing is right? Are we doing things right by our people and our government? Whose interest are we serving?
“The industry can only reach a higher level of professionalism and standards if we the members also take pride in our work and the industry that we serve.
“We owe it to our people to keep them informed with quality and accurate news and information.
“In Spite we continue to strive to keep our people informed, educated and entertained. It is a huge responsibility one that must be guided very well,” she emphasised.
The challenges for local journalists and media houses due to the pandemic has continue to cause personal and professional challenges for media persons and media houses in the Solomon Islands.
Meanwhile, the MASI President highlighted the common confronting challenges but urged the government and other relevant stakeholders to support the local media industry in the country.
“If you look around the country, how many percent of our people have access to the internet? How many people have access to a newspaper, to the radio? Less than 30% has access to the internet, meaning 3 out of 10 people only.
“For radio do the people have electricity or batteries for their radio? Is the reach far enough? Print media are finding it difficult to send newspapers to the provinces.
“Freight costs are very high and printing is an expensive exercise.
“The media is not immune to all the woes and challenges businesses face.
“In that sense, the media alone cannot do it by themselves. We need the government and stakeholders to support us too in our endeavours,” she pointed out.
