cija

cook islands news | journalism professor to visit rarotonga

2009-05-28T21:11:00.001-10:00

. . .

Tuesday 26: A journalism professor and freelance writer will visit Rarotonga next month to learn about organic farming and aquaculture with Teava Iro and Tap Pryor of the Titikaveka Growers Association.
Susan Weill plans to write an extensive feature story about the award-winning efforts of the TGA, one of only 20 winners worldwide of a 2009 SEED Award for Entrepreneurship in Sustainable Development.
She also plans to do some voluntary work at Cook Islands News where one of her projects will be to help compile a 'style book' for journalism.
The prestigious SEED Award, a program funded by the United Nations, "recognises innovation in local, environmentally-responsible and sustainable entrepreneurship".
Weill has taught undergraduate and graduate courses since 2002 in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Texas State University where she is a tenured associate professor.
Prior to that, she taught at Jackson State University, Mississippi State University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She holds a doctorate in communication from the University of Southern Mississippi.
Her research interests relate to race and gender in the media and environmental issues. She conducted research in Germany as an American Council on Germany Fellow and taught in Jamaica and Canada as a Fulbright Scholar.
Weill has worked as a print and broadcast journalist, an editor and a freelance writer for nearly 40 years. She is the author of a book, 'In a Madhouse's Din: Civil Rights Coverage by Mississippi's Daily Press, 1948-1968.' - MW

. . .

code of ethics added

2008-04-04T15:06:00.002-10:00

UPDATE

CIJA editor avaiki nius agency has added a copy of the code of ethics from the Cook Islands Journalists Association, dating back to 1993.

Nothing major, just a long overdue tidy up of this blog site to include a copy of the code, on the agency site for some time already. The code remains relevant today.

"Respect for and pursuit of the truth and the public's right to know are overriding principles for all journalists."

Emphasis added.

update on old association

2006-06-05T15:04:00.001-10:00

MINUTES 02 JUNE 2006

Meeting postponed due to Queen’s Birthday holiday, to 12^th June 2006-06-05

UPDATE

from Jason Brown

Little bit of a timewarp moment last week in more ways than one.

First I drove straight past the China aid funded Justice building and just about turned into the old offices in the former packing shed in town.

Yeps, straight past the big ugly Chinese building. Second timewarp was looking up the founding members of the Cook Islands Journalists Association. Here they are:

Barbara Dreaver

Lisa Williams

Abigail Terei

Alex Sword

Piritau Nga

Nancy Puia

Emile Kairua

Jason Brown

Florence Syme

Aere Anne Nicholas

Kathy Papatua

Tauraki Raea

Vainetutai Tamaeva Nichols

Raemaki Karati

Denise Tito

Interesting to note that of the 15 names listed and witnessed, only six of the journalists are still in the country. Not one of them, including myself, remains in full time journalism.

Given that CIJA was originally established in October 1993, this means a 100 per cent loss of journalism experience in this country in roughly a decade.

Why? Feel free to leave your opinion, anonymously if you like.

Or you can sign up for a blogger account.

cija update

2006-06-05T15:02:00.000-10:00

MINUTES 02 JUNE 2006

Meeting postponed due to Queen’s Birthday holiday, to 12th June 2006-06-05

UPDATE

from Jason Brown

Little bit of a timewarp moment last week in more ways than one.

First I drove straight past the China aid funded Justice building and just about turned into the old offices in the former packing shed in town.

Yeps, straight past the big ugly Chinese building. Second timewarp was looking up the founding members of the Cook Islands Journalists Association. Here they are:

Barbara Dreaver
Lisa Williams
Abigail Terei
Alex Sword
Piritau Nga
Nancy Puia
Emile Kairua
Jason Brown
Florence Syme
Aere Anne Nicholas
Kathy Papatua
Tauraki Raea
Vainetutai Tamaeva Nichols
Raemaki Karati
Denise Tito

Interesting to note that of the 15 names listed and witnessed, only six of the journalists are still in the country. Not one of them, including myself, remains in full time journalism.

Given that CIJA was originally established in October 1993, this means a 100 per cent loss of journalism experience in this country in roughly a decade.

Why? Feel free to leave your opinion, anonymously if you like.

Or you can sign up for a blogger account.

nzaid | journalism and ICT training

2006-05-31T00:21:00.000-10:00

journalism and ICT training (amended)
cook islands journalism association
(in reformation)

NZAID Funding for in-country training is now available for the financial year 2006-2007. Training proposals are invited to be submitted to the Department for National Human Resources Development by 21st May 06.

Title of the Training

cija
journalism and ICT training

Objective of the training

Train Cook Islands journalists in the basics of journalism, including in an ICT environment.

Give media stakeholders – information officials, public relations people and NGO media officers – skills in media relations, online publishing and content creation.

The need for the training (background)

Accurate, balanced and ethical journalism is a corner stone of national development.

So too is the provision of basic information to those journalists.

Emerging email-based web publishing technologies allow a wide range of sectors to produce governance information including mainstream journalists, community groups and public and private sector organisations.

The purpose of the training

This funding application sees training in three main areas – basic journalism, simple online skills and search skills.

Firstly, funding this ICT training application will give Cook Islands journalists basic skills in journalism including the five w’s, codes of ethics, and writing to deadline.

Secondly, giving journalists and other governance information stakeholders the ability to apply these skills online, using simple, free tools to establish and - equally important - update their own websites, or to add weblog tools to existing websites.

Thirdly, Information. Vast quantities of information are available online – but the sheer volume often overwhelms less experienced users. This training will enable participants to filter through web clutter and quickly find and recognise information rich sources.

Training programme outline (summary of what’s to be covered in the training)

> Five days with two daily sessions: 8am to 12.30pm and 1pm to 5.30pm.
> Morning sessions for daily and weekly journalists.
> Afternoon sessions for NGOs, government information officers and any outer islands delegates.

Day one

1.1     What is the internet ?
1.2     What is the (world wide) web?
1.3     Where the internet lives (right next to phone calls and faxes)
1.4     The importance of websites
1.5     Updating by email – how web log site services are changing the internet
1.6     Understanding search engines
1.7     Simple search tips
1.8     Testing simple search tips
1.9     Unlocking the power of Google
1.10     Testing Google power tips

Day two

2.0     Web logs
2.1     Weblogs
2.2     Blogs
2.3     Who uses blogs
2.4     How blogs fit into your media / business / NGO / ministry
2.5     Let’s set one up
2.6     Setting your secret email-to-web address
2.7     Adding links
2.8     Changing the look
2.9     Setting up your free email
2.10     Adding your RSS feed for Yahoo, Hotmail, Gmail
2.11     Promoting your web log / website

Day three: for journalists

3.0     Ethics – overview
3.1     Ethics – history
3.2     Codes of ethics in the Cook Islands
3.3     Applying codes of ethics in your newsroom
3.4     Gaining management buy-in to codes of ethics
3.5     Making codes of ethics sustainable

Day three: for media stakeholders

3.0     What can I put on my site?
3.1     How often should I update?
3.2     Using my mobile phone camera to update my site
3.3     Using your own community as a source of material
3.4     Sources of information – newspapers, radio, TV, newsletters, show you are a part of your community
3.5     Pictures, photos, stuff you’ve seen on the web
3.6     Your views

Day four

4.0     Setting up your own gmail
4.1     Setting up your own blogger weblog site
4.2     Fine tuning your weblog site.
4.3     Problem solving on your weblog site – where to get help

Day five

5.0     Content creation – filling your weblog site
5.1     Online resources – where to find statistics, information and graphics
5.2     How to create your own online content
5.3     Updating your website – when and how
5.4     Conclusion – reviewing the review

Expected outcome of the training (what benefit will the participant gain after the training).

Journalists and media stakeholders will be able to rapidly access information online as well as on their own desktops.

Participants in both groups will be able to create accurate, balanced and ethical information and content online.

Budget – will only cover the following costs: (a) trainer fees (b) resource material (c) air/boat travel and per diem costs if trainer and trainees have to travel internally (d) some refreshment costs

Trainers fees
$35 per hour x 80 hours     2,800

30 hours preparation including further development of this proposal, 40 hours of training and 10 hours follow up assistance and development of next phase training with journalists and media stakeholders, with at least three in-country trainers involved.

Resource materials: Computer rentals and internet access
10 x computers x 5 days @$30 each     1,500

While computer rentals and internet access do not appear to be specifically outlined in the funding application advertising, teaching journalism ICT skills are impossible without them.

Resource materials: others
50 pages x 20 participants @ 30 cents     300

Refreshments
$50 x 2 x 5 days (morning and afternoon tea)     500

Rarotonga subtotal     5,100

Airfares*
Penrhyn     1,600
Manihiki     1,500
Rakahanga     1,500 + 500
Pukapuka     1,500
Nassau     1,500 + 500

Atiu     400
Mauke     400
Mitiaro     400
Aitutaki     300
Mangaia     300

Per diems
$60 x 10 x 7 days     4,200

Outer islands component subtotal     14,600

Total ICT workshop training budget     nz$19,700

* if NZAID/DNHRD decides outer islands participation is a priority.

Funding application

Prepared by Jason Brown for Cook Islands Journalists Association (in reformation)

reformation of journalists association

2006-05-30T17:57:00.000-10:00

CIANGO | Cook Islands Association of Non Governmental Organisations

CIWA | Cook Islands Workers Association

Kia orana all,

For your information, please find below copies of minutes from the opening meeting of the Cook Islands Journalists Association (in reformation).

A feature of our association will be its commitment to total transparency including real time publication of emails on its cija weblog site.

jason brown
editor@avaiki.nu
avaiki news agency
www.avaiki.nu
+682 23485
avaiki | cook islands

----- Original Message -----

From: avaiki

To: cija

Sent: Monday, May 29, 2006 11:08 PM

Subject: reformation of journalists association

Kia orana all,

Please find below the minutes of an informal meeting held to discuss the reformation of the Cook Islands Journalists Association.

The meeting was the start of regular weekly meetings that will be held for an hour at noon each Monday.

The aim, generally, is to try and get some industry consensus going on professional development and other issues. In the interests of transparency, the minutes and other documents are being made available as they happen at

www.cook-islands-journalists-association.blogspot.com

All welcome to attend, either as voting journalists or observers with rights to comment if they so wish!

Minutes from today's meeting. (online) and as follows

CIJA MINUTES

cook islands journalism association (in reformation)

MINUTES

Informal meeting at Mamas 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 todays 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 Careers 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 ws, 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.

cija | news

2006-05-30T13:57:00.000-10:00

NEWS RELEASES

Links for CIJA news releases posted here.

cija | home

2006-05-30T13:51:00.000-10:00

Welcome to the home page of CIJA, the Cook Islands Journalists Association (in reformation).

Possibly unique to CIJA are real time updates on member communications via email which autopublish through this blog, a step towards concepts of total transparency.

It may be that member emails will be set up in a separate weblog of their own, expanding on the blognet example shown by our friends over at JAWS, the Journalists Association of Samoa.

As meetings progress on the reformation of CIJA, links to minutes from the meeting will be posted on the main page and the minutes page.

Similarly, CIJA news releases will be posted to the news page.

You can access information on the site by scrolling down and looking through the links on the right hand side of the page.

Or by accessing them below.

cija home
cija news
cija minutes
cija constitution
cija code of ethics
-------------------------------------------------

cook islands links
cook islands headlines
cook islands herald
cook islands news
radio cook islands
avaiki news agency
-------------------------------------------------

regional links
pacific island headlines
pacific island news association
pacific islands media aotearoa
pacific media and communication facility
informing citizens overview
informing citizens report (pdf 2.5mb)
journalists association samoa
cja australia
journalism education nz
media entertainment arts alliance oz
-------------------------------------------------

world links
journalism
citizen journalism

Re: NZAID In Country Training

2006-05-30T13:48:00.000-10:00

Good idea

I have been working on a proposal for ICT training and we also discussed doing one for journalism at Monday's meeting. I am finishing them tonight so will post on the CIJA weblog. Good to have PMG thinking along the same lines.

jason

On 30/05/06, Jeane Matenga <jeanne@oyster.net.ck> wrote:

In country training proposals close tomorrow.

Why don't you whip one up for the journalists?

You can get about $5000.

Find a category to fit into.

Ad is in Saturdays CINEWS

cheers

j

----- Original Message -----

From: avaiki

To: Jeane Matenga ; cook islands journalists association

Sent: Tuesday, May 30, 2006 11:31 AM

Subject: Re: cija minutes

Kia orana Jeanne,

No worries, our aim has always been to inclusive. It is good to get your response.

I sent the first email to bestread@ciherald.co.ck and watchus@citv.co.ck - I have also sent it to some gmail accounts I have set up for PMG staff who have not wanted to give out their email addresses in the past. I am still in the process of forwarding those details to the staff concerned - a matter of printing out the information and giving it to them by hand. This is to ensure that all journalists have a place where they can go for the latest information on the association. That is also the intention with the blogspot.

As per your email header, could you please clarify for me whether your first name has one N or two? PMG is always welcome and look forward to seeing your team at future meetings. My apologies for not including you on the earlier emails.

Meitaki maata,

jason

On 29/05/06, Jeane Matenga <jeanne@oyster.net.ck > wrote:

thanks for sending this out to us.

can you pls let me know who from our org you asked.

----- Original Message -----

From: avaiki

To: cija

Sent: Monday, May 29, 2006 11:13 PM

Subject: cija minutes

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.

Re: cija minutes

2006-05-30T11:34:00.000-10:00

Kia orana Jeanne,

No worries, our aim has always been to inclusive. It is good to get your response.

I sent the first email to bestread@ciherald.co.ck and watchus@citv.co.ck - I have also sent it to some gmail accounts I have set up for PMG staff who have not wanted to give out their email addresses in the past. I am still in the process of forwarding those details to the staff concerned - a matter of printing out the information and giving it to them by hand. This is to ensure that all journalists have a place where they can go for the latest information on the association. That is also the intention with the blogspot.

As per your email header, could you please clarify for me whether your first name has one N or two? PMG is always welcome and look forward to seeing your team at future meetings. My apologies for not including you on the earlier emails.

Meitaki maata,

jason

On 29/05/06, Jeane Matenga <jeanne@oyster.net.ck> wrote:

thanks for sending this out to us.

can you pls let me know who from our org you asked.

----- Original Message -----

From: avaiki

To: cija

Sent: Monday, May 29, 2006 11:13 PM

Subject: cija minutes

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.

cija | constitution

2006-05-29T21:54:00.000-10:00

CIJA | CONSTITUTION

It is suggested here that a written constitution be sought from old records of the Cook Islands Journalists Association and re-adopted at a future date or, as always, amended as current members see fit.

cija | code of ethics

2006-05-29T21:51:00.002-10:00

CODE OF ETHICS

Code of Ethics
of the
Cook Islands Journalists Association

All members of the Cook Islands Journalists Association are pledged to stand by their fellow members in observing and enforcing the Code of Ethics.

Respect for and pursuit of the truth and the public's right to know are overriding principles for all journalists.

Pursuant to these principles, journalists commit themselves to certain ethical and professional standards. All members of CIJA engaged in gathering, transmitting, disseminating and commenting on news and information shall observe the following Code of Ethics in their professional activities.

1. They shall report and interpret facts and information scrupulous honesty by striving to disclose all essential facts and information and by not surpressing relevant, available facts and information or by distorting the facts and information, by inappropriate or improper emphasis;

2. They shall not, when reporting facts and information, place unnecessary emphasis on gender, race, sexual preference, religious belief, marital status or physical or mental disability;

3. In all circumstances they shall respect all confidences, trusts and undertakings given and received in the course of their calling;

4. They shall not allow personal interests to influence them in their working activities.

5. They shall not allow their working activities to be influenced by any consideration, gift or advantage offered and, where appropriate, shall disclose any such offer.

6. They shall not allow advertising or commercial considerations to influence them in their working activities;

7. They shall use fair, honest and determined means to obtain news, films, tapes and documents containing facts and information required for their working activities;

8. They shall identify themselves and their employers before obtaining any interview, facts and information obtained with the intention of publication or broadcast.

9. They shall respect private grief and personal privacy and shall have the right to resist any order or compulsion by any party for them to conduct working activities which may have the direct or indirect result of infringing on any person in grief or requiring personal privacy.

10. They shall report and interpret all facts and information and carry out their working activities without fear or favour of any party and shall not be influenced by any threat, real or implied, from any party, including any employer, government agent, business interest, or diplomatic representative.

11. They shall do their utmost to correct any published or broadcast information or fact found to be harmfully inaccurate whether done so intentionally or unintentionally; and shall broadcast or publish decisions of the complaints committee of CIJA as defined in the constitution.

Incorporated at Rarotonga, this 18th day of October 1993,

Marie Haupini

Deputy Registrar of Inc. Societies

updated 5 April 2008 from avaiki nius

cija minutes 01 may 2006

2006-05-29T21:41:00.000-10:00

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.

cija | minutes

2006-05-29T21:31:00.000-10:00

MINUTES 2006

> cija minutes 01 may 2006

welcome to the cija weblog site!

2006-05-29T20:00:00.000-10:00

NEWS
Following a meeting today at Mama's Cafe, four of roughly 20 journalists in the Cook Islands decided to rebuild the national journalists association.
Meetings will be held for an hour each Monday at Mama's Cafe to work towards this goal.
Industry issues including training and professional development will be the focus of members as they rebuild the association.