BCN strives for accurate & informative news as we commemorate World Press Freedom day
Here in Niue, a team of dedicated and hardworking journalists and editors defy all odds to bring accurate and informative News daily despite the challenges like staff shortage.
May 3rd is World Press Freedom Day, globally commemorated and focused on the important role the media plays in upholding democracy and accountability.
This years global theme according to UNESCO is “Reporting in the Brave New World: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media.“
A RNZ Pacific article states that despite these obstacles, Pacific journalists continue to speak truth to power while sharing the inspiring stories of their communities.
Here in Niue, a team of dedicated and hardworking journalists and editors defy all odds to bring accurate and informative News daily despite the challenges like staff shortage.
Currently the BCN news team and its announcers of Radio sunshine are housed in different locations as the renovations of their building nears completion.
Staff are excited to move in soon to the state of the art facility funded by the Australian Government at a cost of $2 million. The BCN News team currently has a staff of 9 and about 7 Radio announcers.
Former BCN multimedia journalist-Inangaro Vakaafi on sharing her views on Press Freedom day said one of the highlights of working in BCN was sharing stories from our communities.
Ina who recently launched her first children’s book titled “Hunt for Niu Tupu” now works as a Radio Producer at the Pacific Media Network (PMN) based in Wellington.
She said one of the challenges was writing certain articles that may have not painted certain people at a favorable light and even having her job at BCN threatened at times by those in positions of authority.
“Press Freedom is not just a right, it’s our responsibility to hold space for truth for our culture and community and sometimes that doesn’t always measure up when conflicts of interest arise especially in a small island nation like Niue, ” Vakaafi said.
Throughout the week, we will feature past and present media personnel’s who will share their experiences and challenges working in this filed.
