Singh, Shailendra B. and Prakash, Som (2006) Politics, democracy and the media: case studies in Fiji, Tonga and the Solomon Islands. Pacific Journalism Review, 12 (2). pp. 67-85. ISSN 1023 9499
Full text not available from this repository.Abstract
This article looks at three South Pacific Island nations—Fiji, Tonga and the Solomon Islands—in terms of some landmark changes occurring in their political arenas. Fiji, beset by racial and political problems culminating in three coups, is experimenting with a multiracial, multiparty cabinet that could be emulated by other multiethnic countries. Tonga, a Polynesian monarchy, has recently seen an unprecedented number of protest marches against the ruling elite, the death of its King, and is in experiencing palpable democratic changes. In the Solomons, the strong desire for a fairer political system was manifested in the 2006 riots in Honiara. It caught the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) napping and brought into question the sufficiency and focus of Australia’s intervention policy in the country. The media has been a key player in these events. Regularly accused of adding fuel to fire in its coverage of crises, the media faces constant government pressure in all three countries. This article argues that rather than the media, the sources of discontent and instability are self-serving leaders clinging to outdated political systems. The authors believe political reform, not media control, is needed.
| Item Type: | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | J Political Science > JA Political science (General) P Language and Literature > PN Literature (General) |
| Divisions: | Faculty of Arts, Law and Education (FALE) > School of Language, Arts and Media |
| Depositing User: | Ms Neha Harakh |
| Date Deposited: | 07 Dec 2006 19:44 |
| Last Modified: | 14 May 2012 09:14 |
| URI: | https://repository.usp.ac.fj/id/eprint/2648 |
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