Former journalist and media executive Matai Akauola Niumataiwalu highlighted the need to foster a free, professional and independent media to promote democracy and an open and transparent society in his maiden speech in Parliament yesterday.
He said the media had and continued to have an important role to play in ensuring political accountability.
“Because of the importance of journalism in society, most members of the media abide by certain professional and personal ethics,” Akauola said.
“Many journalists attempt to cultivate an air of neutrality, focusing on reporting of the issues as they are, so that people can judge the facts for themselves, while others focus on offering commentary and analysis from the perspective of particular position.”
He said this was the sort of environment he started his career in when democracy in Fiji was still very young and people judged you by your work.
Niumataiwalu announced several issues he would commit himself to as a parliamentarian such as increasing women representation in Parliament, climate change, improving the delivery and creation of services in small isolated communities, primary healthcare, health promotion and disease prevention.
Niumataiwalu has been working in the media for the past 35 years having worked in the Fiji Sun, FM96, Fiji Broadcasting Corporation, Fiji Television and The Fiji Times before he managed the Pacific Islands News Association.
He works as communications manager for the Oceania National Olympic Committee (ONOC).
Picture courtesy of Matai Akauola Niumataiwalu.