MASI MARKS MEDIA FREEDOM DAY OVER THE WEEKEND
World Press Freedom Day. Photo credit: Innovative Financial Advisers.
The Media Association of Solomon Islands, MASI, over the weekend commemorated Media Freedom Day.
Speaking during the official ceremony, Minister of Education and Human Resources Dick Ha’amori congratulate and acknowledge all media organizations in the country for providing much needed information to educate and inform Solomon Islanders.
He also adds a free press drives our country’s development and aspirations, saying communicating development issues is significant for a well informed society.
“Press Freedom is enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In fact our constitution also gives citizens the fundamental right to Freedom of Speech and Expression.”
Mr Ha’amori also encouraged journalists to strive for accuracy, fairness and balance.
“The Freedom provided for in our national constitution comes with responsibility and this is what you journalists must exercise in every single news stories that you publish every day. You must strive for accuracy, balance and fairness. These are the ideals of journalism that will help you make fair and reasonable criticisms on issues. We specialise in criticisms, but we do not do very well when it comes to critiquing.”
Press Freedom Day is celebrated worldwide annually on 3rd May.
Meanwhile Daniel Namosuia of the Solomon Star Newspaper scooped five awards last night during the Media Association of Solomon Islands Press Freedom Day Awards.
He was awarded with Business and Economics Journalist award, Politics Journalist Award, Senior Journalist award, Press Freedom Day award and Journalist of the year award.
Ernest Ta’asi of Island Sun Newspaper was awarded the Most Improved Journalist of the year award, while Douglas Saefoa of Sunday Isles was awarded the Environment Journalist Award and Carlos Aruafu of Solomon Star Newspaper laid his hands on the Sports Journalist of the Year Award.
Meanwhile, MASI President Dalavera Leni says, the award is to encourage and develop professionalism in the newsroom.
He adds, it is to recognise individual achievements over the past year.