Journalists and media educators have descended on the University of the South Pacific in Suva this week for a conference on "Media and Democracy in the South Pacific". Not surprisingly, the topic and the timing of this talkfest have caused a high degree of consternation behind the scenes. It was the brainchild of Dr Marc Edge, the head of the USP's … [Read more...] about # RUMBLINGS AT THE EDGEFEST
# DECEPTION AND DELUSION
A lot of drums have been beaten in recent days at the Pacific Forum Leaders Summit in the Cooks Islands but none more hollow than that of the unholy alliance of Fiji's four main political parties. The SDL – the governing party deposed by Frank Bainimarama in 2006 – joined forces with the Fiji Labour Party, the National Federation Party and the … [Read more...] about # DECEPTION AND DELUSION
# FIJI LABOUR PARTY IMPLODES
One of the truisms of modern politics is that disunity is death. So it’s instructive that two years out from the scheduled return to democracy in Fiji, the forces ranged against the Bainimarama regime seem so determined to tear themselves apart. Hot on the heels of the SDL’s very public self-immolation with its call for a Christian state comes news … [Read more...] about # FIJI LABOUR PARTY IMPLODES
# THE FORUM’S GAPING HOLE
As the VIP jets descend on the sleepy Cook Islands for the opening of the 43rd annual Pacific Islands Forum, one critical guest will again be missing. Fiji’s Frank Bainimarama - the leader of the most influential island state – has been barred from successive Forum summits for the past three years. Yet whatever shape the formal proceedings in … [Read more...] about # THE FORUM’S GAPING HOLE
# WHEN LEADERS FOLLOW
The debate over the use of the term Fijian to describe all citizens rages on, with some very strange twists. The strangest to Grubsheet was the spectacle of Mick Beddoes, the Kailoma (part European) head of the United Peoples Party, rejecting the use of the word for anyone other than i’Taukei. While at the same time, one of the most senior … [Read more...] about # WHEN LEADERS FOLLOW
# THE TURKEY AT MISS WORLD
Is it a chicken? Is it an owl? Whatever it is, it's Fiji's Miss World entrant, Koini Vakaloloma, making a right royal turkey of herself and of her country at the global competition in Mongolia. Now Koini is a lovely girl and none of this criticism is directed at her. But who on earth took it upon themselves to decide that she parade as some … [Read more...] about # THE TURKEY AT MISS WORLD