BARBARA DREAVER - TVNZ to APOLOGISE following NZ Broadcasting Standards Authority Decision

(Photo: TVNZ)


by Vinepa Aiono

So Barbara Dreaver must (if many on the Pacific media jury panel have their way) now bear the shame for shoddy journalism following the Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA )decision that a TVNZ report by Dreaver in April 2009 that portrayed Samoa as a nation of gun smugglers, rife with gang violence and a truly flourishing but illegal drug trade was grossly inaccurate and failed to offer a balanced view on the issue that now seems to have been a non issue. Some media sources in Samoa have already ditched Dreaver into the 'Pacific Ocean' for drawing negative attention to the island nation that had the potential to spoil the growth of tourism in Samoa. An article in the Samoa Observer by Dr Amosa in April 2009 described Dreavers report as a "case of lies and deceit." A rather harsh description of Dreaver's news item but perhaps justified given the findings of the BSA. And rightly so it was that the Samoan government filed a complaint with the NZ BSA over the inaccuracy of information gathered from what appears to have been from spurious sources sought by Dreaver an employee of TVNZ, to bring together the news item for public viewing. I have skimmed through the 30 page adjudication and the key findings are focussed largely upon the failure of TVNZ to uphold an even balance and accuracy on the topic. TVNZ is also required to make a public apology and make specific payments for costs to the Crown and Samoan government.

Is Dreaver guilty of poor journalism? Yes in this instance I believe so - but she also has 19 years of worthy reporting of the Pacific under her belt. At a time when many Pacific journalists were focussed solely upon reporting about politically safe - left issues in the local community, Dreaver was already getting down and dirty with seeking the truth. We remember the baby smuggling in Samoa, Dreaver throwing light on the vigilante movements in various parts of the Pacific, expulsion from Fiji and only last week reporting on TVNZ's donation of equipment for TV stations in Samoa, Cook Islands and Tonga.
Dreaver made a mistake, perhaps TVNZ put too much faith in her journalistic dealings with Pacific communities. We make mistakes. But we move on. Dreaver will recover and shall continue to tackle the difficult stories. She will become better. Not invincible. She's human. I look forward to more great journalism from Barbara Dreaver in and of the Pacific.

TAGATA PASIFIKA - RELIGION AND PACIFIC PEOPLES

POSTCARD - CEREMONIAL GATHERING IN SAMOA (early 1900s)

I love this postcard. It conjures up pictures of old Samoa, from storytelling sessions my father shared with me of historical events of his time. He always referred to the sacredness of life and of God. He often reminded me of the sacred tie between parents and children and the changing roles of parent and child. That was how he ordered the universe for me. Always - always was the central focus of God and his acceptance that Samoan culture was ordered along God given lines of accountability based on respect, reciprocity and relationships.
As I watched Tagata Pasifika on Thursday evening, a panel of prominent Pacific people discussed the relevance of church, trading hours and young Pacific people moving away from the traditional Pacific churches to the more pentecostal forms of worship. I was amazed at how our traditional Pacific clergy are so defensive about their denominational faith and that newer established churches were dismissively referred to as "that or those churches" as if such churches were too modern to be accepted as serious christian affiliation.
Like everything else, youth move to where it's more relevant. So also with youth moving in ever increasing numbers to more pentecostal churches. Not because more traditional churches are wrong, NO - but there is a movement toward seeking the relevant message for everyday life.
Sadly there appears to be a declining number of young members attending mainstream Pacific churches. Today fewer Pacific parents practice Sunday as a day of rest. How much harder it is to preserve Easter weekends as sacred? I always marvel at my Muslim friends who answer to no one when prayer vigils for Ramadan or other occasions are required. How much more will our loss of the sacred also contribute to losing our souls? In the mean time let's remember that mental unwellness is at an all time high.