CIJA MINUTES
cook islands journalism association (in reformation)
MINUTES
Informal meeting at Mama’s Café on Monday 29 May 2006
PRESENT
Helen Greig, Ulamila Kurai-Marrie, John Woods, Jason Brown
BACKGROUND
Helen Greig asked for an overview of what happened to the previous journalists association. Jason Brown outlined the establishment of the Cook Islands Journalists Association in 1994, the decision to establish the Cook Islands Media Association in 1995 as a more inclusive body with more resources, and the industry split in 1997 over issues of ethics and because of inexperience amongst members in developing national associations “for which I was to blame as much as anyone else.”
PROPOSAL
From Jason Brown that this meeting be considered the start of an informal group working towards re-establishing the Cook Islands Journalists Association and that CIJA should be described as “in reformation.” That advice would be sought from the Registrar of Societies as to the status of previously established associations. All supported this concept. It was noted that the invitation to attend today’s meeting was also sent to the Pitt Media Group and that minutes and invitations would continue to be sent to the PMG.
MEMBERSHIP
That reformation efforts start with the Cook Islands Journalists Association and that membership be kept to practising journalists. Longer term, CIJA would welcome working with management and other levels of the industry to also reform the Cook Islands Media Association – but that CIJA would not again be completely merged with CIMA so that a balance between the two organisations is always kept.
PINA
Helen Greig and Ulamila Kurai Marrie called for CIJA to become a member of PINA and that advantage be taken of funding for journalism training.
PRESS COUNCIL
John Woods asked whether it would be possible for a Press Council to be set up as a peer review group to start with, as a way of getting some kind of media monitoring in place.
CAREERS DAY
John Woods asked whether CIJA can take part in upcoming Career’s Day, representing the industry and the profession of journalism, to encourage students to take up the profession as a viable career choice.
TRAINING NEEDS
Helen Greig called for CIJA to bring in year-round training, “not just a workshop” for beginners to learn the basics of journalism. She supported the idea of a weekly session of maybe an hour that all journalists who are interested can attend. John Woods agreed there was a need for training to address the basics of journalism including the five w’s, ethics and strategies for (the oldest problem in journalism), spelling. This could be expanded over the long term into training in more advanced subjects like strategic thinking (and conflict resolution suggests the minute taker). Helen Greig says she likes living in her homeland, likes journalism, but needs a forum where she can get advice on training and gaining further qualifications – but not online.
NEWSPAPERS IN EDUCATION
Also longer term, an idea that the newspapers get involved with teaching in classrooms, teaching the next generation to trust the media as a source of information – and a place to look first for information.
TRANSPARENCY
Jason Brown suggested that a weblog site be established and that all or most communication be posted there via email in the interests of transparency. All agreed.
NOTIFICATION
In the interests of transparency, Jason Brown said he wanted to give early notice that he would be seeking endorsement from the association for funding applications.
NEXT STEPS
Jason Brown to seek advice from the registrar at Justice with regards to the legal status of the association and report back via email and at the next meeting. More personal invitations also to be sent out, including to Nannette Woonton, Julie Taripo, Vincent Peters, Ken Ben, Cameron Scott, and, on the government side, people involved in media and communications like Bobby Turua, Jacqui Evans, John Akavi, Keri Hermann, Tauraki Rongo and Moari Ngamata.
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