Academic and media circles in Fiji and the rest of the region are abuzz with gossip and speculation following our latest postings on the demotion of Dr Marc Edge as Head of Journalism at the University of the South Pacific. Of special interest is the leaked correspondence from the Deputy Vice Chancellor of USP, Dr Esther Williams, telling Dr Edge’s immediate superior, Professor Sudesh Mishra, that Dr Edge’s behaviour is seriously damaging the reputation of the USP.
The Pacific media luvvies don’t post their comments publicly but on closed Google Groups like the following. But below is a sample of what’s being said in a five-way cyber conversation between the Samoan oaf, Tupuola Terry Tavita, Marc Edge himself, Cooks Islands-born Lisa Williams-Lihari, Dennis Rounds from the Australian High Commission in Suva and Australian academic Dr Mark Hayes. All good fun. We’ll keep updating the exchanges as they come to hand.
Marc Edge appears to out himself as the phantom emailer “Truncated Lounge”, who parodies Fiji’s Permanent Secretary for Information, Sharon Smith Johns, and Grubsheet in an occasional mail-out called “Shazzer and Grubby”. All good fun again, though somewhat reckless given Mad Marc’s tenuous grip on both reality and his job. Anyway, read on…
From: mediafreedom@googlegroups.com [mailto:mediafreedom@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Lisa Williams-Lahari
Sent: Friday, 16 November 2012 10:29 a.m.
To: mediafreedom@googlegroups.com; Pacific Islands Journos Online
Subject: [PFF] Grubsheet leaks the internal USP memo
Tupuola and all,
http://www.grubsheet.com.au/?p=3694 shows the correspondance from Esther Williams and the response from Sudesh Mishra.
My question as a journalist would be– upon what is she basing her view that Marc Edge is harming the reputation of the USP? Has anyone asked her? And what is the nature of the regime complaint to the university. Surely this should form the news focus of any journalist chasing up the story— rather than adding to the smoke and bulldust, the search for cold hard facts should drive newshounds mad for the truth in this matter….that surely serves the public interest.
go for it gang! bylines and all!!
lis
On Fri, Nov 16, 2012 at 10:20 AM, Marc Edge <marcedge@hotmail.com> wrote:
I wouldn’t think so.
Date: Thu, 15 Nov 2012 13:20:07 -0800
From: terrytavita@yahoo.com
Subject: Re: [PFF] Re: [pacific-journos] Re: Dr Marc removed as USP’s Course Coordinator of Journalism
To: mediafreedom@googlegroups.com
Dr Akanisi Kedrayate right?
From: Marc Edge <marcedge@hotmail.com>
To: mediafreedom@googlegroups.com; Dave Coutu <dcoutu@sd35.bc.ca>; “dpollock@laverne.edu” <dpollock@laverne.edu>; Ian Weber <ian.we8er@gmail.com>; Ian Dolling <iandolling@hotmail.com>; Cam Birge <campaola@shaw.ca>
Sent: Thursday, November 15, 2012 1:04 PM
Subject: RE: [PFF] Re: [pacific-journos] Re: Dr Marc removed as USP’s Course Coordinator of Journalism
Thanks, Terry! I hope everyone has seen the latest. The cat is truly out of the bag now. Everyone should know who has been the source for Grubsheet’s (and the Fiji Sun’s) constant attacks on me as a result of the email Davis has published. I can’t imgine what he was thinking when he outed his source like that. He must have been drunk. Or maybe it was just supreme arrogance. Perhaps both. Dare I say it, but it appears that my Head of School pushed him to the . . . well, you know. I also enjoyed the editorial in the latest issue of Islands Business. Just wait until Truncated Lounge gets ahold of this one. http://www.islandsbusiness.com/islands_business/index_dynamic/containerNameToReplace=MiddleMiddle/focusModuleID=20326/overideSkinName=issueArticle-full.tpl This message was not sent in error, for a change. Marc Edge
Date: Thu, 15 Nov 2012 12:53:11 -0800From: terrytavita@yahoo.comSubject: Re: [PFF] Re: [pacific-journos] Re: Dr Marc removed as USP’s Course Coordinator of JournalismTo: mediafreedom@googlegroups.com
I reckon they should give marc an award..at a time when there are no media heroes in Fiji, takes a Canadian to point out that the emperor has no clothes..
From: Mark Hayes <drmarkhayes.hayes26@gmail.com>
To: mediafreedom@googlegroups.com
Cc: pacificmedia@googlegroups.com; Vijay Narayan <vijaynarayan@fm96.com.fj>
Sent: Wednesday, November 14, 2012 3:00 PM
Subject: Re: [PFF] Re: [pacific-journos] Re: Dr Marc removed as USP’s Course Coordinator of Journalism
Bula Vinaka All, Here’s the Cached version of Dr Edge’s Blog Post on Qorvis from 1/11/12 which has since been taken down from his Blog Site ~ http://tinyurl.com/9wsl5gu A couple of other Posts also seem to have been removed as well. * *And here’s Graham Davis on the latest moves too ~ http://www.grubsheet.com.au/?p=3676 This whole thing is as murky as a Tanoa of Yagona Moce
On Thu, Nov 15, 2012 at 7:08 AM, Lisa Williams-Lahari <lisa.lahari@gmail.com> wrote:
Dennis, I echo your closing sentiment —
I’m in little doubt that the campaign to rid the Fiji regime of Marc Edge will reach its natural conclusion. Like the other regional organisations based in Fiji, USP has to go through visa processes for all its non-Fiji citizens and this relies on a regime stamp.
Other than the visa issues and any grounds and procedures for refusing renewal of a visa, there are a host of issues media are not covering in this development. I’ll raise one that makes this a Pacific story for all news editors. USP is a regional entity and member governments pay annual fees and send future national and regional leaders there for training. Pacific journalists should be asking their representatives to the USP senate and council leadership whether it is right for a host country already milking the economic benefits of servicing a regional body to use subtle and not so subtle coercion to bully the USP leadership into dumping Marc Edge and others who dare to question the status quo. Perhaps in this respect a real and deeper conversation about the underlying issues will emerge……
Fiji journalists if they want to focus on Edge, may also want to ask what has happened to the September ethics complaint filed with the Fiji Media Development Authority by Marc Edge, against CFL? Am copying to Vijay for his info.
Like others on this list, I am sensing a silence because we are simply tired of being mired inputdowns, tit for tat and personalised mudslinging….but people, if we don’t speak up on the things that matter, who will?
onwards, lis
On Thu, Nov 15, 2012 at 9:11 AM, Dennis Rounds <dennis.rounds@gmail.com> wrote:
I don’t know Dr Edge and have only browsed through some of his opinion pieces. I think he should have just kept quiet from the beginning and observed Pacific politics in journalism before attempting to enter into a paper-based boxing match – Pacific style. I also think it’s sad when journalism students lose out as a result of personal bickering, personality clashes and personal agendas.
I also hope every day that there will be an improvement tomorrow over what I’ve seen in the newspapers today – just as I hope that one day in the not too distant future, I will again live under the perils of democratic rule – with its pitfall of abrasive, loud-mouthed, all-talk-no-action parliamentarians. In Fiji, one can only hope!!!! And in closing, I can only hope you will allow me to vent my frustrations without character assassinating me for having done so!!! You all have a good day now.
DR/
2012 at 6:34 PM, DrMarkHayes <drmarkhayes.hayes26@gmail.com> wrote:
Bula vinaka All,
OK ~ This sparse and terse and obviously very carefully worded Statement –
http://thejetnewspaper.com/2012/11/14/usp-clarifies-journalism-lecturers-position/
Begs the Question of “Why!?”
One is also reminded of the “departure” from USP of Professor Wadan Narsey in early August, 2011.
Maybe Dr Edge will have something to say on his Blog ~ http://fijimediawars.blogspot.com.au/
And I wonder if it had anything to do with a recent Post he had there, since taken down, about the PR company advising the Fiji regime, Qorvis
A Very Interesting Development Indeed and certainly worth further explanation and exploration.
And how come the tiny story – without a source – needs three journo’s names on it, or is this a requirement of the Fiji Media Decree (everybody involved, including Subs, gets a by-line)?
Moce
On Wednesday, November 14, 2012 2:46:09 PM UTC+10, Lisa wrote:
This in from Fiji…..
From:
To:
Date:
14-11-12 16:03
Subject:
Dr Marc removed as USP’s Course Coordinator of Journalism
Doctor Marc Edge has been removed as the University of the South Pacific’s Course Coordinator of Journalism.
In a press statement released this afternoon the Head of School of Language, Arts and Media, Professor Sudesh Mishra will assume the role of the Course Coordinator of Journalism.
Dr Edge was filling this position temporarily since the departure of the Head of Journalism Shailendra Singh who proceeded on study leave.
However Dr Edge is still an active employee of the University in his capacity as a senior lecturer in the Journalism Program.
Story by: Minnie Edmanley, Filipe Naikaso and Gwen McGoon Publish date/time: 14/11/2012 [15:10]
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Some reformatting of the copypasta would be lovely.
For your information, Samoan PM’s chihuahua Terry Tavita was recently making cowardly, unfair and plain nasty comments about journalism students on this same google group. Terry likes to portray himself as some sort of top journalist in Pacific. The truth is far from it. For one, he couldn’t last in the profession, for another, he was pathetic at his job. He is the last person to be questioning standards, let alone criticising anyone. Any journalis student can do better than.
The following account about big-mouthed lout Tavita from a trusted, reliable and impeccable source, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Samoa Observer Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, is a must read.
Hello and thank you for your continuing reporting role in our little democracy.
But I thought I would give you some timely tips for improvements’ sake in your work. Especially the editing part of your English publications as I think it has noticeably fallen in standards in recent times.
It is very important to report accurately what I said in Samoan as it is read across the globe on your website.
Just about every single story you publish, I have been quoted out of context. I conduct my interviews always in our cherished Samoanlanguage as every Samoan ought to value the tongue.
So when your reporters translate my words in English, it is either the complete polar opposite of what I actually said in Samoan or the article, in many parts, do not make any darn sense.
In reality, the quotations attributed to me are actually the futile translating attempts of your under-aged reporters which throws the whole article in a state of confusion. It is their words, not mine.
If you are lacking a good English editor, as many have noticed, I can advise Tupuola Terry Tavita of Savali to extend his Good Samaritan work to improve Samoa Observer standards.
I particularly want to thank you for my lovely photo on your front page yesterday, 10 September 2012 – notably my matching suit pants I wore at one of the international meetings overseas I attended and was used for your story focusing on a local issue. I guess you want to project overseas that this is what I actually wear every day in Samoa. You and I know very well Samoa is very hot and not only do you get very sweaty wearing long pants but our rabid mosquitoes will eat you alive.
My only advice is, if it is an international meeting story, feel free to use my long pants’ photo. If it is a local one, put up a local photo of me which I’m sure you have a whole archive of. I’m convinced that is the balanced reporting you are often alluding to. Your reporters after all snap numerous photos of me at my office every time they turn up for a chat.
But anyway, I suspect you were scavenging for the ugliest photo of me around right? Actually Savea, I think I am way too handsome in that photo. I am now also certain that you are only after publishing my ugly photos so you can justify why you named me your “Star of the Decade” a couple of years ago. I am so unworthy.
That is enough for now. God bless your good work that has made you grow old gracefully and, well, comfortably.
Soifua
Tuilaepa Fatialofa Sailele Malielegaoi,
Prime Minister, Samoa.
Terry “the Oaf” Tavita
For your information, Samoan PM’s chihuahua Terry Tavita was recently making cowardly, unfair and plain nasty comments about journalism students on this same google group. Terry likes to portray himself as some sort of top journalist in Pacific. The truth is far from it. For one, he couldn’t last in the profession, for another, he was pathetic at his job. He is the last person to be questioning standards, let alone criticising anyone. Any journalis student can do better than.
SORRY THIS IS THE POSTING ON JOURNALISM DOYEN OF THE PACIFIC TERRY TAVIA:
The following account about big-mouthed lout Tavita from a trusted, reliable and impeccable source, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Samoa Observer Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, is a must read.
Thank you very much for your kind advice. It is always a pleasure receiving a letter from you knowing that you have so much work on your plate these days.
And now that you’ve added the Legislative Assembly to your list of portfolios, well, I’m wondering how on earth you can possibly make the time to write all these letters.
I personally would like to congratulate you for your patience, and especially for your ability to just shrug off all those silly criticisms leveled at you, as insignificant ravings of madmen, fools and idiots.
You are absolutely right. Because that, precisely, is the mark of a man with an honorable vision for his country which he is determined to fulfill, despite what anyone else says.
I truly admire you for that.
As for the “mistakes” and the “inaccuracies” in this newspaper’s stories that you’re seeing all the time, well, I want to say thank you for pointing these things out to us.
It’s a shame really, but then I just don’t know what the answer is. I only wish we were all perfect and flawless like you and Terry Tavita but the truth is that we are not.
Still, I want to say I apologiSe unequivocally for all the idiotic mistakes you see in the paper day after day. Honestly I have no excuses to offer.
I am sorry also that this paper’s “the English publications (have) noticeably fallen in standards in recent times” due to poor editing, but I want to remind you that it is the very high VAGST, import duties and taxes combined, that are directly responsible.
So if you want to see that what you say during an interview is “read (accurately) across the globe” on this newspaper’s website, you should do two things:
1. Lower the VAGST on newsprint, film, plates, computers, cameras and voice recorders from 15 percent to 5 percent, as it is the case in other Pacific Island countries, where all newspapers are considered an educational necessity.
2. If you want your interview to be published on the website, make sure you speak in English. This way, since your interview is now captured in the voice recorder, no translation is needed and every sentence you utter therefore will make “darn (good) sense.”
As for your offer of Tupuola Terry Tavita to work with us we have to say no thanks. Please don’t get me wrong. I only wish you did not bring this name up. For someone who is known around the world as your “lapdog,” how can you possibly say you’re extending “his Good Samaritan … standards,” when we know the man has no principles whatsoever.
Let me tell you a story. Several years ago Tavita came asking for a job. He said he had been a teacher at Samoa College, and he wanted to work as a reporter. Why did he leave Samoa College, I asked. He did not give a credible explanation.
Anyway, I gave him a job. He became a reporter. Sometime later, he approached me again and said he had been given a scholarship to do his Masters at the University of the South Pacific in Suva, and he wanted time off from work.
I gave him time off. Later still when he returned from Suva, he came back to work. Asked if he had finished his Masters, he said yes, but he had to finish his thesis.
Well, what do you want to do, work or finish your thesis? He wanted to work, so I gave him work. Again.
At the time, we had a policy – we still have it – that no reporter conducting an interview at any function – public or otherwise – helped himself to food and drinks if such were served.
The rule is that when the interview is done and the photos are taken, the reporter leaves. In those days, all of our reporters respected this rule except Terry Tavita.
Since he would not leave until he was fed and soused, we gave him money for his drinks somewhere else, on the understanding that he left the function immediately after his interview.
Later still, he had an argument with the paper’s editor at the time, Peter Lomas, and Terry Tavita stormed out the door. He did not have the decency to come and tell me what his quarrel with Lomas was about.
I felt let down and sad.
Later still I was told that he went straight to Prime Minister Tuilaepa’s office, and he was hired to work for the Savali. You know the rest.
And then he started attacking me in the Savali, which is a government paper funded with my taxes. I never said a word.
Since then he has been developing a defiant standard of reporting in defense of his “boss” – Tuilaepa – so that he inevitably earned the unflattering moniker “lapdog” among his media colleagues.
And you want him to come and work as a “good Samaritan “ in this paper? No, thank you very much. Keep him there. You need someone like him to defend you and protect you.
As for your worries about the clothes you’re wearing when your picture is taken, well, honestly you should not. Personally, I don’t care about what clothes I’m wearing anyway. If it hadn’t been for common decency and the fear of disturbing the peace, I would go around with what I was born with.
I reckon you should think the same way too. Besides, clothes are just skin-deep. It is what’s inside you that count. I know you’ve got a good heart and that is all that matters. Trust me. The rest is all rubbish thrashed about in the wind.
And lastly Tuilaepa, you are a handsome man. We all know that. You are handsome both outside and inside. So that wherever in the world your photo is taken, it is published and your fame is assured. And always remember that it is not the photo that counts but the man behind the photo.
So don’t be paranoid. You are still our “Man of the Decade” whether you believe me or not. And that’s the naked truth.
But thank you for your kind words about my “growing old gracefully and, well, comfortably.” I know. I’m finding it rather hard not being able to grow old fast enough. Which is why I must thank you once again for those mind-wrecking court cases that sort of really hastened the aging process along.
God bless you too Tuilaepa.
“As for your (PM of Samoa) offer of Tupuola Terry Tavita to work with us we have to say no thanks. Please don’t get me wrong. I only wish you did not bring this name up. For someone who is known around the world as your “lapdog,” how can you possibly say you’re extending “his Good Samaritan … standards,” when we know the man has no principles whatsoever.
Let me tell you a story. Several years ago Tavita came asking for a job. He said he had been a teacher at Samoa College, and he wanted to work as a reporter. Why did he leave Samoa College, I asked. He did not give a credible explanation.
Anyway, I gave him a job. He became a reporter. Sometime later, he approached me again and said he had been given a scholarship to do his Masters at the University of the South Pacific in Suva, and he wanted time off from work.
I gave him time off. Later still when he returned from Suva, he came back to work. Asked if he had finished his Masters, he said yes, but he had to finish his thesis.
Well, what do you want to do, work or finish your thesis? He wanted to work, so I gave him work. Again.
At the time, we had a policy – we still have it – that no reporter conducting an interview at any function – public or otherwise – helped himself to food and drinks if such were served.
The rule is that when the interview is done and the photos are taken, the reporter leaves. In those days, all of our reporters respected this rule except Terry Tavita.
Since he would not leave until he was fed and soused, we gave him money for his drinks somewhere else, on the understanding that he left the function immediately after his interview.
Later still, he had an argument with the paper’s editor at the time, Peter Lomas, and Terry Tavita stormed out the door. He did not have the decency to come and tell me what his quarrel with Lomas was about.
I felt let down and sad.
Later still I was told that he went straight to Prime Minister Tuilaepa’s office, and he was hired to work for the Savali. You know the rest.
And then he started attacking me in the Savali, which is a government paper funded with my taxes. I never said a word.
Since then he has been developing a defiant standard of reporting in defense of his “boss” – Tuilaepa – so that he inevitably earned the unflattering moniker “lapdog” among his media colleagues.
And you want him to come and work as a “good Samaritan “ in this paper? No, thank you very much. Keep him there. You need someone like him to defend you and protect you.
Savea Sano Malifa
After the revelations by Savea Sano Malifa, I am seeing Terry Tavita under a new light. According to Sano, Tavita is a:
– Lapdog.
– has no principles whatsoever.
– is a glutton who helped himself to food and drinks at functions he was covering.
– Had to be given money for drinks so he coud leave functions he was covering
early and imbibe elsewhere, instead of make a fool of himself and disgrace the
company.
– is ungrateful lout who joined govt PR sheet and started attacking owner of paper
who gave him a job and so many chances
No, I am not Truncated Lounge. I only wish I had that kind of writing talent. I am a big fan of his letters, however, especially the latest. And I am pretty sure that he will be issuing forth on recent doings imminently. Otherwise, no comment.
Marc, no comment? And after everything that’s happened? How disappointing. It’s not everyone who gets to be branded as having caused” serious damage” to the university they work for. And by the Deputy Vice Chancellor. Unworthy of comment? Mmm.
How’s that misconduct investigation going? No, not the one you said wasn’t happening and threatened to sue me and the Fiji Sun over. The new one. Could we possibly get a comment on that?
Look forward to getting the next instalment from your little glee club on Lisa’s Google group. Honestly, with friends like Terry Tavita, who needs enemies?
Hoo roo, Grubby.
I wonder if I should release this proof I have that Marc Edge is in fact a user of fake accounts, as he used one to spy on his students.
Graham
Tell us how much you are getting paid for Qorvis? Tell us how can you afford to be in Fiji every week? Who is paying your hotel and airfares? Well, the only way to resolve this issue is to get independent journalism professors from abroad (not Robies of this world) and look at the first and third year students works – its quite likely, and I am guessing here, that some third year students did badly and in order to hide their inadequacies are blaming Edge for everything – those e-mails, Sharon-Smith is well know to have had helped the regime when she was with the internet company, to hack into private e-mails of Fiji citizens and pass them onto the regime – your own source is none other than Esther Williams – once a champion of media freedom
Silent Bystander, are you for real? How much do you get paid? I work for an American company which tells the US Congress how much it gets paid by the Fijian Government. What happens between it and me is nobody’s business. The impertinence is breathtaking.
I’m also sorry to disappoint the conspiracy theorist in you but there is no official capability in Fiji to hack into peoples’ emails. So to suggest that Sharon Smith Johns did so is pure fantasy and paranoia.
Dear Silent Bystander,
Why don’t you answer some questions yourself?
What is this first year/third year student crap?
Why are you differentiating between them?
Is USP journalism running a competition between first/third year students?
What on earth is going on at USP journalism under Marc’s watch?
Is there some form of apartheid being practiced against third year students?
Are they being taught like first year students are, or is Marc Edge being selective in his teaching, as you seem to be suggesting?
Is Marc Edge discriminating against third year students?
is he carrying out a vendetta against them, as the students have been claiming? Your comments seem to confirm this.
Is Marc not teaching third year students properly to show them up to be bad students?
Has Marc Edge not been head of journalism?
If third years students’ work is not up to scratch, is Marc Edge not responsible as head of journalism?
In other words, are you suggesting Marc Edge was hired to teach only first year students?
You and Marc have the same childish mindset. Are you the one and same?
What you are saying confirms second/third year student claims that Marc Edge has been humiliating, discriminating and neglecting them to prove a point in order to bolster his fragile confidence, insecurities and ego.
You have confirmed what many of us following this dispute have long suspected: that petty-minded, ill-tempered Marc Edge is not fit for the position of head of journalism.
You have confirmed USP was right to remove him.
Now why don’t you crawl back into the hole you emerged from because you doing more harm than good to your friend.
Graham
Who the hell are you to act as if you are the regime censor – when you talk about journalism training – you mean that journalism students be like those on the Fiji Sun – regime suckers to the last bite
I work for an American company which tells the US Congress how much it gets paid by the Fijian Government
Graham, put your money where your big mouth is – and use your column in dutiful Fiji Sun to ask your new paymasters in Fiji, the Fiji government, to tell the people of Fiji how much is this illegal government paying Qorvis – why should Qorvis be telling US Congress and your pet boy Bainimarama not telling the people of Fiji – you hypocrite – that is what you will call others
@ Silent Bystander
You are angry and sound like a prostitute scorned, a prostitute standing silently under the evi tree…a silent bystander, hoping some prince charming will some how appear and sweep you off your feet while others have gone about their businesses.
And while you wait for your prince charming, you curse the world for you forgot your dentures in that apartment complex somewhere in Vatuwaqa..
And lo..comes Sudesh Mishra…..
A rat needs to screw as well
Questions for Silent Bystander
Yes, that is what I am saying – get independent journalism professors to compare and contrast – and surely they will be able to conclude if the charges laid against Marc Edge are true – that he has been favouring first years over the second and third years – its also likely that first-years are too afraid to upset this Canadian fella so they are going with him – the second and third years – either they are pathetically hopeless or are being used by the likes of David, Robie and others to get their own backs – what beguiles me is how a joke on Friday has developed into a crescendo – there was always a game plan to get rid of Marc Edge – if Graham was true to his salt – he would not be running a personal blogsite and abusing others – he would have, like other consultants – got on with his new job – his new Australian media bosses should also take a take – it seems this man can NEVER be trusted with private correspondence – for he has a penchant for revealing them for the whole world to read – a thoroughly unprofessional behaviour from someone claiming to be Qorvis consultant and Fiji Sun columnist! yes, he is truly a hound who has joined the pack to chase Marc Edge – the fox
Dear Silent Bystander,
More questions or you.
Are you for real?
Are you a student, or an adult with real world work experience?
Do you think USP will waste time and money to hire professors to engage in the childish and pursuit of comparing first/third year students’ work?
Do you think this is practical?
What useful purpose will it serve for USP?
How will students benefit?
If, for argument’s sake, third year students were badly taught, would not a good head of journalism at least try to rectify the problem?
Marc Edge was not a good head of journalism.
Judging from what we read so far, was at best mediocre, or worse, inspite of his efforts at self promotion.
He tried to get by through discrediting others.
He victimised the students and abandoned them, a cardinal sin for an educator, a dereliction of duty on his part.
He probably thought he could get away with treating students shabbily in a third world country.
In the end, it caught up with him.
He was sacked as head of journalism.
If he has any conscience, he should do the honourable thing and retire from teaching for letting down students who he was paid to teach, and who relied on him.
Silent Bystander, I have had the leaked correspondence between Esther Williams and Sudesh Mishra for weeks. I had not planned to release it at all until Sudesh Mishra wilfully misrepresented the facts on Grubsheet.
I have a big file of other correspondence relating to Marc Edge that hasn’t yet been published because I felt it needed to pass a greater public interest test. But it will be if there are any more attempts to mislead the public about the unfortunate events at USP.
They, after all, are paying the salaries of these people. And the quality of the journalists that the USP is producing under Marc Edge is of wider regional concern, something that will become glaringly obvious as the days and weeks progress.
Marc said to a third year student that he could not wait to see our backs. A journalism staff member witnessed this. This is a fact. We third years are very happy to see his back.
That is a lie. Another one.
Marc, I suggest that you cease your attacks on your students immediately. It has all gone on for far too long and there is too much evidence of your malevolence for your denials to have any validity.
For some reason, the USP has chosen to ignore that evidence. But I have enough correspondence between you and some of your students to more than lend weight to the notion that you are at war with them and that you are the aggressor.
What I have seen is surely unprecedented in the long history of interaction between expatriate lecturers and Pacific students and grounds for grave concern. Even a cursory examination of these columns points to open warfare within the student body at USP – some of it clearly manipulated by you. The University’s lack of resolve in addressing this crisis is breathtaking.
I’ll tell you exactly what the problem is, Graham. You simply accept the claims of a few disgruntled students without bothering to hear both sides of the story. Almost without exception, these are students who have been either recently dropped from the Journalism programme or asked to answer claims of Academic Dishonesty. You don’t seem to have any conception of something called due process, to which I have a fundamental right. I have been assured by my Dean that the few complaints that have been lodged against me are not of great concern to her. I have been provided the details of only one of four complaints that have apparently been lodged. I was able to easily rebut that complaint because it was almost laughably without merit. It was from a student who has been taking courses at USP since 2006, has a grade-point average of 0.98 (1.0 is a D), and previously flunked out of Law. I refused to register her this semester for third-year courses after she failed a required second-year course for a second time. University regulations state that a student may not sit a unit for a third time. Two of the other complaints are from students whose cases are well known to me and I am confident that I am very solid ground there as well. One of them rarely attended my class last semester or submitted assignments, yet you loudly proclaim it as scandalous that I would dare to fail her. Believe me, the scandal would be if I passed her. The fourth is from a third-year student I hardly know, as he is on staff at one of the dailies and recently returned to school to complete his studies. We have never had any contact as far as I am aware. These four students have been offered mediation on their complaints by USP. That was to have started this week, but apparently at least one is refusing to even meet with me to discuss their complaint. I think that speaks volumes about the merits of their complaints. Perhaps they do not want their complaints heard because they know that they are without merit. What can I do? I feel that I simply have to answer your allegations against me, as my first-year students are almost frantic on the eve of their final exam as a result of your nonsense and the vicious postings of anonymous commenters who promise they will never get jobs. Yet they are among the brightest students I have taught anywhere in the world. You really should be ashamed of yourself. I am not prepared to endure your ceaseless, baseless attacks against me and my students without finally correcting some facts. I believe that fair-minded people will see you for the bully and propagandist that you are and will allow me to at least hear and answer the complaints against me before judging me.
Truth, was there when it happened. I think most people at USP will be happy to see Edge go back to Canada where he can go back to his personal blog attacks on Conrad black and someone who really knows journalism can come and teach us: http://www.20yearsforconrad.blogspot.com
Personally, I prefer this one.
http://thetyee.ca/Mediacheck/2012/08/09/Conrad-Black-Crook/
Black ended up in prison for five years. Just wait ’til I get finished with Grubby.
Black ending up in prison had nothing to do with you. If it did then it is just another sad example of how the course of justice was influenced by the media. The feeling of powerlessness must really make you angry here, not being able to use the media to influence everything your way.
It seems from your blogs that very very few people read them. And your story appears to be heavy opinion journalism.
After I wrote this, Black went to prison.
http://www.marcedge.com/rump.pdf
“Black ended up in prison for five years. Just wait ’til I get finished with Grubby”.
Woo hoo, Marc. Just who is psycho here?
And graham wrote on this very blog and wallah! you have been removed as head of school. Sad day when the hero becomes the villain he once hunted. It’s only a matter of time Marc gets the kick from USP.
Mr Davis please continue your excellent columns in the Fiji Sun. Where I work we enjoy the Fiji Sun and we look forward to your columns. We also get the Fiji Times in the office but I notice now that everyone prefers to read the Fiji Sun.
Graham and everyone here should understand one thing. The only reason why Qorvis is disliked so much by media outlets in Fiji and other PR personnel is because of jealousy. Yes, and as much as you’d like to wave your media freedom banner, the fact of the matter is, none of you in the media industry are any different to Qorvis or to Davis! You talk about working for tyrants and democracy and all that crap but when you’re offered the same, you’d be wagging your tail just for the dollar! and for people like “silent bystander”, the symptons of jealousy are so obvious! You really couldnt be bothered about what you’re supposedly standing for because in the end, people like silent bystanders are really the loud mouth pathetic losers! Thats why Marc Edge dislikes Qorvis! Because he could never really match up!
Chand is back from his hibernation
Oh really Professor Edge? So what you’re saying is that claims against you are so weak that you have been removed from head of journalism and will most likely be removed completely from USP because of them? Seems like you are back to your compulsive tail spinning ways which include your trademark personal attacks on my poor fellow students. I assure you, your first year students have almost zero talent, their stories and general grammar are terribly written, this I believe does not reflect on them but the one who teaches them.
Believe me, I wasn’t removed as Head of Journalism because of any complaints against me, which have not even been heard yet. Somebody needs to get to the bottom of this story fast. And I don’t spin my tail. I don’t even have a tail.
So you deny that a two man executive team is currently investigating your actions before making a judgement on your fate? Answer very carefully as you have been caught fibbing at least ten times already on this blog alone, lest more emails be released catching your tales 🙂
Marc, que? Why on earth do you think you were removed if there were no complaints against you? Interested personally to hear your spin on this, along with your long-suffering students and a breathless nation.
Bill gates, Steve Jobs, John Travolta, are just some of the worlds most successful people who dropped out of school. The difference is that they did not listen to insignificant nobodies like Edge and gave up. They had friends and teachers who motivated them, always believing and urging them to do better. Reading Marcs comments about students dropping out and failing courses is just a sad reminder that there are bitter old men who just want to see the world burn.
Marc is a sad, old, lonely man whose life has not lived up to expectations. This is why he is bitter and ready to attack energetic new minds of students so readily when he should be motivating them, it is bitter realizing that these students will grow up to be a future and make a difference when poor Edge could not.
Edge will soon be gone (Mark my words) and his famous “first years” will soon realize that in the real world, nobody will tolerate their incompetence. They have already blindly supported a tyrant who attacks students and most of their future bosses alike. If they are the benchmark for Journalism in this country then it is a sad day indeed.
To all the students Marc has attacked, do not be discouraged because of his bitter insecurities. You guys are the future because you dared to stand against evil,which is fundamentally what journalism is supposed to be, instead of sat back and did nothing so your grades wouldn’t be affected.
This literally brought tears to my eyes. Go forth and vanquish this evil good sir!
After reading this I can no longer stay quiet.some first year students who actively suck up to Marc and blindly take in whatever he says are:
Nesau Tuidraki – leader and actively has participated in attacks against students
Maryann Lockington
Moveena Shaheed
Priya Chand
Kalpana Kaajal
Mervin Singh
Matila Adikula Bulimaibau
Edward Tavanavanua
and a few others i can’t not remember
These same first year students want Mark Edge news on the front page of Wansolwara. Nesau is leading by insisting that this news should front page or she will lose all confidence in the journalism program. We were right. This one is really brainwashed. For her USP journalism is all about Marc Edge. She is Marc Edge’s boxer and influencing other students. She is saying Marc Edge is stepping down. She can’t bring herself to say he was sacked as head of journalism. This is the kind of fantasy world and denial first year students are living in, led by the Nesau. For Nesau, Marc Edge is front page news. This is pathetic news sense. What is worse she influencing other students – blind leading blind. Looks like she learn nothing about conflict of interest. She wants to use paper to promote her Marc Edge. That is what she wants to reduce our prestigious award winning newspaper to in JN103. She is very pushy and she tried to pressure wansolwara editors which is unethical, but the editors know their role and told her to butt out. Editors decide what goes on what pages, not first student who don’t know basics. First years know only grammar, or think they know grammar, but have no news sense. for them, especially nesau, the world revolve around marc edge. nesau talk big, knows little but will get mark no doubt. she is bad influence for first years, they should know that.
To be fair the Wansolwara has already already been reduced to a very low grade paper since Marc came in. Their last real award was during Shailendra Singhs error, now they just print crappy gossip news like beauty pageants.
Neisau Tuidraki-Wednesday at 19:50 near Toorak:
Well, this needs to be the front page of Wansolwara “Edge stepping down” if Wansolwara does not cover this, I’m sorry then I will loose all confidence in the journalism program.
Kas Zeem-Wednesday at 20:44
sowi, that cnt be front page, this is push for agenda, M sowi there is no place of that In Journalism, we might loss interest but only of one student not from all, the paper see other issues which is a concern to society n should be front page.anyways thanks for the offer but we cnt do that, may later.c ya
Neisau Tuidraki-Thursday at 15:49 ·
Kazeem what are you referring to when you say ‘push for agenda’. I’m talking about fair reporting on what is dirty laundry in our back yard. Transparency and getting all sides of what is an on going issue is key here. Marc is not everyone’s cup of tea but he is a good teacher. I’m wondering if Wansolwara is seriously pursuing the claims that Sharon Smith Johns placed a complaint about Marc’s latest blog entry on Qorvis . I do not know if its true but if it is all issues aside about Marc what does this say about the regimes control on USP and the journalism program, self censorship is therefore being enforced in a round about way. I want to read a great in depth story on the situation…..the REAL TRUTH!
Kalesi Mele (Wansolwara editor and great future journalist) -Thursday at 16:37 ·
first of all let me make one thing clear…Marc is not stepping down..he has not made any news of such. Yes we can cover it for Wansolwara and make no mistake we will, but neither of us have the right to decide whether it goes to the front page. Seeing that you are all so curious about this, why not volunteer to do the story? Otherwise, leave us be to do our work.
This is further proof of the stupid first years blindly following Marcs word regardless of the truth.
Also seems to have Marc Edges students trademark bad grammar that people have been talking about. If you can’t differentiate between simple “lose’ and “loose” you probably shouldn’t be a journalist.
I predict that the named students will graduate in two years into a very different Fiji and will go on to become some of the best journalists of their generation. Others in the class will, too. Some won’t because they haven’t bothered to show up for class or submit their assignments. I can’t help them. I can only help those who want to learn. The students on this list want it, and they’ve got it.
We came to your class but voted with our feet because you were often unprepared, and in an international journalism class you mostly talked about Canada, the only country you seemed to know anything about. To cover for your lack of preparation, you talked about inane subjects like your skiing trip on the Canadian alps. Do you remember that? You were boring and uninspiring. After three classes, I had enough.
I don’t even ski. You are making this all up. This isn’t even very good disinformation. Qorvis should dock your pay. Here’s a fact: I got very good student evaluations for that course. I’ve got that in writing.
“Scared first year student”- if you really are a first year student than you must be knowing all the students names which are your classmates.
How come you don’t remember the names of other students? You are the biggest coward I have ever seen.
Neisau Tuidraki-Wednesday at 19:50 near Toorak:
Well, this needs to be the front page of Wansolwara “Edge stepping down” if Wansolwara does not cover this, I’m sorry then I will loose all confidence in the journalism program.
Kas Zeem-Wednesday at 20:44
sowi, that cnt be front page, this is push for agenda, M sowi there is no place of that In Journalism, we might loss interest but only of one student not from all, the paper see other issues which is a concern to society n should be front page.anyways thanks for the offer but we cnt do that, may later.c ya
Neisau Tuidraki-Thursday at 15:49 ·
Kazeem what are you referring to when you say ‘push for agenda’. I’m talking about fair reporting on what is dirty laundry in our back yard. Transparency and getting all sides of what is an on going issue is key here. Marc is not everyone’s cup of tea but he is a good teacher. I’m wondering if Wansolwara is seriously pursuing the claims that Sharon Smith Johns placed a complaint about Marc’s latest blog entry on Qorvis . I do not know if its true but if it is all issues aside about Marc what does this say about the regimes control on USP and the journalism program, self censorship is therefore being enforced in a round about way. I want to read a great in depth story on the situation…..the REAL TRUTH!
Kalesi Mele (Wansolwara editor and great future journalist) -Thursday at 16:37 ·
first of all let me make one thing clear…Marc is not stepping down..he has not made any news of such. Yes we can cover it for Wansolwara and make no mistake we will, but neither of us have the right to decide whether it goes to the front page. Seeing that you are all so curious about this, why not volunteer to do the story? Otherwise, leave us be to do our work.
Everyone is jealous because we, the first years are close to Marc..
Haters keep on hating..
That’s what you are good at!
You’ve got to have a lot of balls posting up my name like this without even posting up your own. I’ve refrained from commenting lately because exams are coming up and I have better things to worry about, but seeing as my name is up, I might as well have my say.
I post proudly under my own name and I’m going to speak my own mind here- even if you think I’m “brain-washed” or “sucking-up”.
All I want is to attend uni, make a pass grade and get a job. I don’t claim to be a world-class writer, nor do I claim to be exceptionally good at news writing. I’m doing my best as a first year and I’m still trying to learn and develop my writing on that level. In class, I’m usually quiet, so I’m not entirely sure how you think I might be “sucking-up” to Marc.
The first-year students have been taught by Marc since the first semester of this year and we definitely had a rocky start because of a clash of culture and the lack of understanding between Marc and the students. We too had had our problems, but we’ve obviously hashed them all out. I think if there was one thing lacking, it was the lack of communication between him and the students because once you do get to understand him- you’d know he’s a good guy overall but he’s also our professor and he has that obligation to whip us into shape for the real world of media outside the walls of Wansolwara and USP. Right now, he has a pack of wolves after him from every direction- so I’d think you’d forgive him for not being a chipper jolly faced foreigner with all the abuse he’s had the past few months.
Now to the point I’m trying to make here. The first years don’t stand apart from the rest of the journalism programme just because we have a better relationship with our professor then the other years.We have 2nd years and 3rd year students who haven’t weighed in themselves because they find this whole situation-over-the-top ridiculous. Some have weighed in, like my friend Kalesi Mele in previous blog posts and she doesn’t seem to have much of a problem with Marc if any. Sorry Kalesi for mentioning you here, I just thought I’d make a point that we are a family and there is and shouldn’t be any separation or segregation.
Four students out of the whole population of journalism students have filed complaints and I’m sure some of you are the ones posting under cowardly aliases instead of speaking out. Four students don’t even make majority, nor half, not even a quarter of us!
Their complaints are obviously being taken under consideration, and so they should be BUT I think that should be under USP’s jurisdiction which might I add is governed by not only Fiji but other nations of the USP region.
Furthermore, I’d just like to call out a few of you posting facebook posts out of context on here. If you’d read the rest of those conversations you;ve posted up it would have painted an entirely different picture.
Neisau was calling for the truth-which, if I’m not mistaken here, is the role of a journalist AND the media. Though, it’s irrelevant posting that up here where the truth is being twisted and facts are being manipulated to serve someone’s personal vendetta against the professor.
Two of those you’ve named in your “list”, scared first year, are mature adults with careers and enough experience in the media not to be easily manipulated by the person you seem to think, the professor is. Their voices of course are being shut down because they don’t agree with Mr Davis and all you servants of propaganda, and bad journalism.
We’re a family here in the journalism department and your vile posts are causing so much segregation and confusion among the students. I speak on behalf of myself here, as an independent person away from the first years that I respect my fellow 2nd and 3rd year students and look up to them. I have a close relationship with my fellow first years and I respect Dr.Marc Edge because he is my professor and I look up to him to learn something useful.
I have different opinions to some first years, some 2nd years and even Marc himself- and have my own individuality as much as the other students in the programme.
I will stand up for what I believe in, and this being one of them- I believe in my class mates, our journalism programme and our teaching staff-Irene and Dr,Edge. We are a family, and it’s going to take more than four students, Mr Davis and his evil minions to break us apart
No need, Maryann. We have won. Thanks to Truncated Lounge, Graham has been completely destroyed. He is the laughing stock of the Pacific. Please concentrate on your final exam on Thursday. Do not check the Grubsheet blog until then. But do take time out to chuckle from time to time. HAAHAAHAAHOOHOOHOOHEEHEEHEE!!!
Is that what you tell yourself to get over the shame of being kicked out of head of journalism? You have been the laughing stock of the pacific for quite some time now, it is interesting to see that you have become buddies with the anti indian racists at coup 4.5 who encourage murder and violence. I can’t wait for grahams piece after you get kicked out of USP completely, trust me you will.
Astonishing. Simply astonishing.
@ Mark Edge,
I could understand Terry and his sidekicks with the haha hehe stuff….
but boy you have taken it to a new low…a sore and a shameless loser…….and using a handful of 1st year students……
There are students who want to finish their education and then there are students who want to finish quality education.
What a shame Mark, what a shame.
This is propaganda by Marryann. I can confirm in our class Marc Edge has run down second and third year students by making sarcastic comment about their work. Marc didn’t like them for some reason. Many students unhappy but they just tolerate. Only four complain.Their were a few nasty incidents we witnessed. We didn’t like but we could not talk. Marc say to one student I can’t wait to see the back of you – his exact words. Many first year know all this but they not standing for truth or fellow student, they defend marc. Marryann claim she support her fellow student. Bullshit. None of them said anything. They just smile. Now they trying to cover up. Shame on them gutless students.
Poor Marryanne is brainwashed like the rest of her class mates. If the four students are at fault then why are they still in journalism and Marc Edge removed from The head (This is one no first year can answer correctly)? Obviously Saint Marc Edge has done nothing wrong (these first years are pathetic).
This is a good example of what happens when we begin to air our problems in Public-everyone suffers a degree of indignity-alas if we were only aware of our Fijian heritage of resolving issues! Sa bera!
Bless you Kalesi Mele for your comment, “seeing that you are all so curious about this, why not volunteer to do the story?” Have anyone taken up your offer?
Haha, I bet not. This is first years all talk no action, like their idol marc Edge.
What about Nesau? She wants “to read a great in depth story on the situation?” Read? What kind of journalism student are you? If its as good a story as you say it is, why wouldn’t you as a journalist write it yourself? No good journalist would sit on his arse and ask someone else to write good story if he saw one. What is marc edge teaching you? To be a lazy journalist? You can talk. But can you write? Haha, what a joke.
The muses tell brave tales of kalesi going head to head against Marc Edge at a meeting they had with Sudesh Mishra present. She refuses to back down to his dictator style of teaching. I just hope the poor girls grades wont be affected by this dictator.
Justice, I don’t think you were present at the meeting so how will you know. I believe things were sorted then. My name has been mentioned in one of the comments earlier. I will surely come back to reply on that after exams.
I wasn;t at the meeting? Oh really? Jumping to conclusions just like your psychotic teacher Marc Edge, I see he has transferred his idiotic qualities to you.
Dear naive Kajaal,
Nothing was sorted out. It was all covered up by the ineffective head of school Sudesh Mishra and you first year students. Marc Edge continued to target some of us. You first year students know this but turn a blind eye. You just smile and say yes to marc edge’s lies. You defend Marc Edge’s bullying and play it down. You are part of a big cover up so you can get good marks. Shame on all of you. Not fit to be journalists.
John Smith & Justice It seems like you don’t have a permanent name. I bet those students listed above have much better grades compared to you.
Enough, of this silly undergraduate stuff.
No one in Fiji actually gives a rats arse about these wannabe BS journalists ….as if the future of Fiji rests on these useless shits who have yet to earn their stripes in the real world!
We are better off listening to the the young military officers who are earning their stripes in the real world.
Komai,
these young undergraduates are no more “useless shits” than you were in your young days. They will earn their stripes when their time comes. You don’t speak for me when you say no one in Fiji gives a rat’s arse, because I do. If you don’t give rat’s arse, why bother commenting? Just disappear from the blogsite.
Spot on Komai, bula brother
No one gives a rats arse except …..well maybe observer, the silent bystander, you over there and you and …yeah you also and maybe you….yea you the one who forgot his dentures in some flat in Vatuwaqa…..and you the bearded fellow with multiple names. I think I have covered almost all who gives a shit….oh and the rat called Sudesh Mishra…..there you go…all covered.
The rest of us…naah
The way some of these newbies are behaving as if the country will not do without them…oh boy …..theirs and theirs only is news worthy to read…..such an attitude and still in nappies……haven’t seen the real world yet……never earned a penny yet…
These newbies don’t understand that there are community standards determined by us and us alone and not by any fly by night owl claiming to be experts in everything pacific..
These are the makings of anti-national elements….must be routed in the early stages and shunted by the community at large…..
For the moment I prefer my tax dollars be spent on the welfare of the people…
I would prefer directing my energies on uplifting the lives of ordinary peoples….having said that, I take note of the wannabies and the anti-nationals and I pray that I don’t have to deal with them.
Very sad that a university course that should put students at the centre of its learning sphere has placed gossip, scandal and anonymity as a focus (and yes, if you are still working there, you represent that university and that course). Shame on you Marc Edge for putting yourself at the centre, when your students are left to hang out to dry, whether first, second or third year students. Have some class and stop posting on this blog or responding to fired up anonymous rants, even mine. I wonder if you can?
Neisau Tuidraki Saturday at 22:35 near Suva City:
I LOVE IT!
To the journalism student who took our conversations and posted it, it’s bordering on stalking. I see my tweets made it on the grubsheet!
Really that’s the best you got.
I’ve been in the media since before your ‘ucu luka’ days and I’m gonna be here for a helluva long time. Keep the lime light on me and keep commenting on me…..I LOVE IT!
‘I GOT THIS’! The only reason you’re posting on Grubsheet is because you have no balls if not we’d be doing this head on!
FYI I am doing the Edge story, I was just being courteous and letting the senior students have first dibs.
Well we can expect a nice Biased story about Marc Edge in the wansolwara, the former student newspaper which is now just public relations for the tyrannical Marc Edge. A dictator with his own media outlet to help his PR, sad day for USP journalism.
A wiser and less selfish journalism lecturer would advise Ms Neisau Tuidraki, a first year student, that writing an in-depth piece in the current political climate is practically impossible. I believe true, free media will come to be again in Fiji someday, but for the time being, a first year journalism student should not be encouraged to test the existing boundaries. Shape up USP journalism. This shows very poor form and lack of leadership.
ONE HAS TO QUESTION WHAT KIND ADVICE TERRY TAVITA IS GIVING TO HIS PM!
Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, has defended writing a letter of support for a man convicted of rape in New Zealand.He has also questioned whether the conviction was “erroneous” given that the man he wrote in support of, Fatu Seti, could not speak “proper” English.“There are some areas that the judges may not understand,” said the Prime Minister.“So from what I see, there is a big possibility that a decision might be erroneous and that is why I wrote suggesting to deport him if found guilty.”Tuilaepa also suggested that the truth does not always win during Court cases.“In these arguments, if you are good at lying, you can get away with it.”Mr. Seti fled New Zealand eight years ago when he was accused of raping a 19-year-old woman from Waiheke Island.Extradited to face trial, he was sentenced by the Auckland District Court earlier this month to four years and seven months in prison.The sentence was later increased to nearly six years.Last week, Opposition leader, Palusalue Fa’apo II, attacked the letter of support from Tuilaepa.He said it was “disgraceful” and inappropriate.Palusalue said that no other country would see its leader writing letters of support for a sex offender.He also criticized the Speaker, Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao, and an unnamed police chief for writing character references for Mr. Seti.But Tuilaepa was unrepentant.In response, he turned to the Bible for justification. He said that Gospel teachings are to help anyone, even prisoners.But whether a man is convicted of rape or murder, it is all the same, said Tuilaepa.“My letter to the judges suggested that if they find him guilty, they can deport him back to Samoa,” he said “This is a common thing in New Zealand and America, that if they find a Samoan guilty they can deport them back to their country.” Tuilaepa suggested that the Opposition criticism represents a failure to live by the Gospel.“I’m saddened by Palusalue because he is a deacon for his parish.”He again referred to the Bible.“One of the prisoners that was crucified with Jesus, Jesus told him that today we will be together. So if we follow what Palusalue says, then he’s saying that Jesus should say go to hell.“This is not what we’re being taught…if the prisoner needs help, help him.” Tuilaepa also pointed out that Mr. Seti’s talent as a fire dancer has helped Samoa in terms of attracting tourists.