Tuesday, June 24, 2008

public forum on Niufm/531pi

Even though a majority of PIMA members called for a public forum on the state of National Pacific Radio Trust though its website discussions, the following decision to accept the restructuring without community debate and media industry forum makes us wonder whether
our own journalists have anywhere to freely air their concerns. Thank u PMC for the opportunity to continue dialogue

PIMA ACCEPTS PACIFIC MEDIA NETWORK RESTRUCTURE PLANwww.pacmediawatch.aut.ac.nzAUCKLAND (Pacific Media Watch): The Pacific Islands Media Association, the Auckland-based organisation representing Pasifika journalists and media people in New Zealand, has apparently accepted a controversial restucturing plan by the National Pacific Radio Trust in spite of a call by some PIMA members for a public debate.The plan for the Pacific Radio Network, NiuFM, 531pi and Pacific Radio News is described by the trust as part of an "optimisation and streamlining process" - one that is widely expected to lead to some staff redundancies.The network has been embroiled in controversy since a reshuffling of the Pacific news team four months ago.In a statement tonight by the PIMA committee, issued by chairman Aaron Taouma, it was declared that the organisation "accepts from time to time media organisations, just like other businesses, need to restructure. This sometimes means staff will be lost."The statement said:"According to the media release [see pmw5511] by the National Pacific Radio Trust (NPRT), the restructure at Pacific Media Network, NiuFM, 531pi and Pacific Radio News has occurred as part of an optimisation and streamlining process by the network."This has occurred after a recent survey of radio listeners on the NiuFM frequency coverage range, an internal review of processes and a review by the board."PIMA accepts that from time to time media organisations, just like other businesses, need to restructure. This sometimes means staff will be lost."This process is unfortunate and PIMA hopes that the PMN management will put in place a system to assist those who may be displaced."In these times we pray for the wellbeing of staff at PMN who have been made redundant and hope that remaining and new staff will see the network through to a vibrant and bright future of radio broadcasting."In this process of change, PIMA would like to encourage:* Standards of broadcast remain in place and all parties come to amicable resolutions;* Processes of transparency and good faith are kept by all parties;* The release of information and explanations around changes are made readily available;* That change results in quality broadcast services for Pacific people here in Aotearoa."PIMA encourages member organisations to show proper regard to due process when handling human resources, and, where a high turnover of staff persists, ongoing review of staff retention issues, including by independent mediation."It is regrettable that experienced and qualified individuals may lose their positions."PIMA hopes through this process of change the Pacific Media Network and NPRT keep their mission statements and objectives to the fore and this restructure results in better performance and quality of broadcasts in keeping with the Pacific way."PIMA website:www.pima.org.nz* Comment on this item: pacific.mediawatch@aut.ac.nz+++niuswirePACIFIC MEDIA WATCH ONLINE www.pacmediawatch.aut.ac.nzPACIFIC MEDIA WATCH is an independent, non-profit, non-government organisation comprising journalists, lawyers, editors and other media workers, dedicated to examining issues of ethics, accountability, censorship, media freedom and media ownership in the Pacific region. (c)1996-2008 Copyright - All rights reserved.Items are provided solely for review purposes as a non-profit educational service. Copyright remains the property of the original producers as indicated in the header. Recipients should seek permission from the copyright owner for any republishing. Copyright owners not wishing their materials to be posted by PMW please contact us. The views expressed in material listed by PMW are not necessarily the views of PMW or the Pacific Media Centre.For further information or joining the Pacific Media Watch listserve, go to:http://lists.apc.org.au/listinfo.cgi/pacific_media_watch-apc.org.auEmail:pmc@aut.ac.nzFax: (+649) 921 9987SnailMail: Pacific Media Centre, School of Communication Studies, AUT University, Private Bag 92006, Auckland 1142, Aotearoa/New ZealandWebsite: www.pmw.c2o.org

17 comments:

Xstaff said...

thankfully Will you are there for us...I unlike other X staff members of NPRT's network am prepared to come out of my PG and say...
I regret not speaking out before
but the CEO has got to go... too
many mistakes far outweigh her good decisions...
Xstaff

PiTV said...

hurrah...
More support
PiTV

Unknown said...

I agree ....the CEO is the problem and needs to go. Niufm has not grown since it started so something must be wrong somewhere. And the restructure shows that the business is failing.

Unknown said...

thanks for putting it out there Will. delicate issue but many people, current staff and past staff, have long had concerns about the station. all of it to do with the way management have run station and the way the board have overlooked concerns. we've been afraid in the past to voice our concerns, in fear of losing the station, but this has not helped situation.

Ana said...

Kia Ora, Talofa Lava, Malo e lelei

Radio stations as these are the result of the struggle of our Pacific Island communities in Aotearoa. Remaining accountable to our communities not only respects those who made this medium for PI a reality but engages and gives voice to the grassroots of our Pacific Island communities, something very much lacking today.

Kia Ora & Respect Will for providing this forum.

Ana

Avaiki Nius said...

Hoo hoo!

Kia orana all!!

Someone is STEAMED !!!

This is a typically gutless attack from people who, when the kitchen gets too hot, stab the cook.

From behind. TellTheTruth resorts to personal attacks rather than address the issues.

But this blog is to be congratulated for encouraging debate, even if other voices are drowned out by repeat postings from TellTheTruth.

Also, for providing an avenue that PINA obviously feels comfortable with to counter criticisms.

I doubt very much Robie would have denied PINA the right to reply. So I'll ask him.

For those media people who have lived most of their life in New Zealand, it should be noted that PINA is very much a corporate dominated body, and the executive is quite often is at odds with its own members, not just journalists.

It is a very big twist of a half truth to say that PINA represents the opinions of journalists in the Pacific Islands.

Some maybe. Certainly not many, and definitely not all.

Anyone who has signed up to the Pacific Islands Journalism Online forum - Aotearoa members welcome - will see months of criticism of PINA executives, as well as weeks of positive suggestions and constructive feedback.

Yes, David Robie has been mentioned, but discussion regards his role at AUT has been a scant percent of the 362 topics started, with thousands of responses.

Instead of attacking Robie, TellTheTruth might question where forums like PIJO and even this blog draw their inspiration from?

I am proud to be associated with PINA, and PIMA, and in my small contributions to help bring the realities of the Pacific here to Aotearoa.

Oh, as a final comment, there is nothing to stop one person setting up multiple anonymous accounts to stage arguments with themselves to give the impression of community feedback.

TellTheTruth? More like TellATruth - and a whole lotta lies.

kia toa,

jason

Avaiki Nius said...

UPDATE

Just finished counting up the number of times TellTheTruth* repeats his posts - 19 times for the comment on meself and Robie, 2 times for the six-year-old PINA letters.

From Johnson Honimae as then President and William Parkinson as then immediate past president, the 2002 letter delves into Fiji media politics to a level that could only have been penned from Fiji.

Aside from poison pennage, President Parkinson is on record as promising - and failing - to deliver a round-up of previous resolutions, or much accountability about outcomes achieved according to those resolutions.

Most resolutions from 32 years of PINA appear to have been lost in the mists of legendarily booze-soaked conventions. I couldn't get it down my throat fast enough, waking up, one memorable morning in Samoa, gazing warmly upwards at a tipani tree, frangipani blossoms drifting down and waking me at the same time as the early morning gardener poked at me with his kikau broom.

Ah, the good old days.

Reflecting back, I realise it was a good way to keep the young ones stupid drunk and not too focused on events evolving in front of their eyeballs.

It was also a way for the PINA insiders to avoid any long term scrutiny.

Two excuses for a lack of PINA history - institutional memory in consultants jargon - have been offered so far.

One, that website problems saw loss of data.

Two, annual reports cover events from annual general meetings.

Both events are now biennial, leaving even less opportunity for meaningful debate on whether that in fact happens.

This criticism does not make me, or Robie, or any of the other journalists defamed by TellTheTruth, perfect paragons of truth, and everyone else a liar.

What TellTheTruth is trying to do, by posting 19 times, is to drown out other voices. Instead, TellTheTruth merely draws attention to the weakness of arguments used - otherwise repeat it? 19 times?

But take another step back.

By personally attacking everyone, TellTheTruth is moving the goalposts away from NiuFM and into a minefield of personality politics.

Quite clever, really.

TellATruth* and spin and spin and spin it with lies, so that the crap spreads evenly all over, obscuring other voices.

Throw a handful of half-truths into the mix and - voila! Confusion all round.

NEXT: BACK TO THE ISSUES

* TellTheTruth copyright notice: www.gutlesswonders.com

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PiTV said...

freedom of speech...

Avaiki Nius said...

As one of the issues?

Exactly!

Freedom of speech is the leading issue for journalists, and recent events at niuFM have proven, if nothing else, that journalism is suffering at the hands of mismanagement at PMN.

There is no other explanation.

Let me say that the current CEO has my highest respect as an able advocate and marketing honcho, par excellence.

But there needs to be someone from less of a corporate palagi background, someone who has more than a passing acquaintence with concepts like the Pacific Way.

And the importance of face-2-face consultation, and decision making by consensus.

If NiuFM continues to be run like some neocon profit budgie, then it is of no use to it's listeners or its community.

MTC = more to come.

Avaiki Nius said...

afofa atu will,

just a bit of housekeeping. In the interests of clarity of debate, could you please delete 18 of the 19 repeats by TellTheTruth?

And the first repeat of the PINA letters?

If there is any technical hitches, don't hesitate to contact me, 02102484560, and I can guide you through over the phone.

Freedoms of speech? Absolutely. My commitment to this issue is such that I do not sue for defamatory statements, such as those by TellTheTruth - even anonymous ones.

kia toa,

jason

PiTV said...

kia orana avaiki nius,
Jason as an executive member of the PIMA executive what is happening with the requested public enquiry into NPRT from PIMA's public meeting on 3rd July.

Avaiki Nius said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Unknown said...

Wow three months before Christmas and bickering still continues. As someone who's followed the Saga between both the stations for quite sometime it's a shame how the comments of naming ex staff members of things that don't really benefit the 'main issues' like straightening hair and co-workers pets just obviously show how 'scornful' this person maybe. Have you asked yourself, has this benefited the situation?

Obviously not, as hence why the numbers of staff have probably decreased due to the management's failure to follow through the vision of where the stations are suppose to head?

I think someone's getting off task here. And for the person who owns this blogsite should be mindful that certain comments should'nt be shown as they can be liable especially if comments about people aren't correct or true.

Also reading comments about these former staff members and probably current staff members saying it's these journo's fault? And this person 'Tell The Truth' can't even come forward on who they really are? Sounds like their out to get these people? A bit of a loose canon to me!!! That just shows how 'narrow minded' this person is naming these people who have probably done alot for the job but probably haven't told their side of the story is just another means of giving a perception towards these people and haven't let them talk, obviously they're not talking because it sounds like people have already made their mind up... As a person within the media in Australia's CBD for over twenty years these comments are defamatory anyone in the business would know and for anyone who names people for the mere fact of giving them a bad name should actually look at themselves and see what could have they done to help the situation - obviously not as if you read the comments I guess this person is out to destroy these people.

Let's face it, some people are born with the nack within the business as obviously from this one particular person they want to 'blacken' these people's name and not giving them a fair chance, hence why they haven't replied because why would they reply...Sounds like Tell The Truth is over their heads and should actually think of the bigger picture.

Unknown said...
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Unknown said...
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Unknown said...

This Tell The Truth person sounds like that psycho path Vienna Richards who used to work there at Niu FM. People don't realise that she's the cause of some issues of why the News team was supposedly picked on..... She's paranoid, It's funny how someone can disguise their name and re-post comments I think there's some kind of problem with her mentally, she's a cunning fox and has eased her way in getting jobs that she is not only NOT qualiied for but also good at kissing arse too...I mean how can one short wart hog come from a PR firm, get a job thats toooo qualified for her liking then ruin good work? I hear she's now working for a Gambling outlet as their PR rep, obviously they've been fooled too.... How many people have to put up with this persons lies and deceit? I think she has too much time on her hands, she should look after her kids, I hear they don't better either.

She's always had it in for the job of Lito Vilisoni and making up these situations, she really doesn't know she can be sued for 'false and defamatory comments' I mean she of all people should know, wasn't she 'interim' News Editor before? And man those survey's that she conducted? Hello it wasn't even within the 'proper radio survey terms' I mean your doing PR for Niu FM, then you think a survey done by a has been Intern from TVNZ who I hear wasn't even clued on point when she was there has some 'mandate' to even compile a survey? And who's the liar here? More like wolves in sheeps clothing.

People don't know that she's a good spinner as she's good at getting people on her side, even trying to interrogate people and threatening them over their jobs....And she calls herself a Samoan? Shame on you.

She's also good at getting people on her side without hearing other people's side of the story even when it's not true she's very good at hiding the 'actual truth' So if you don't know what she's really like she's cunning, a good liar and should worry about her weight as I hear she was well known for walking around the office, eating like a 'pig'...like the saying goes you are what you eat.

It's funny how those who try to destroy honest people have to learn from their mistakes, how many idiots must they reward for their bad decisions? while others have to salvage their good names due to a few people's screwed up lies.

And more to the point, if you crash into someone's car shouldn't you have the decency to own up, I mean straight away, not hide away until you get caught, then try and kiss arse to the person that it wasn't you that crashed into their car, she must not have a license to drive either....own up to your own faults Vienna, but don't worry Kharmas on your big fat arse, look at Sina Moore she's got what she deserved, yes it does come round - so watch out your turns coming.

Pa'u.

PiTV said...

Well well well, after many many months of raising the issue, losing millions of taxpayer $$$$$$ wasted
the CEO Sina Moore has finally seen the light and RESIGNED !!!!

POWER TO THE PEOPLE....