Pacific island nations strengthen public oversight through investigative journalism

In a major step forward for investigative reporting in the Pacific, the East-West Center and World Report have announced six journalists selected for the Pacific Islands Financial Investigative Reporting and Mentoring (FIRM) program. The groundbreaking program aims to empower local newsrooms to hold leaders accountable through in-depth financial reporting.

The journalists selected are Meri Radinibaravi (The Fiji Times, Fiji), Aisha Azeemah (Fiji Islands Business), Julie Badui Owa and Charmaine Poriambep (PNG Insider), Ronald Flier Toito’ona (Solomon Islands In Depth), and Siosifa Pomana (Talanoa Otonga, Tonga).

“Independent local media is essential to connecting communities and holding leaders accountable,” said Preethi Nallu, executive director of Report for the World. “We are excited to work with these journalists who will dive deep into critical financial issues such as climate change, corruption and education in the Pacific.”

The FIRM program provides participating journalists with up to three years of salary support, allowing them to devote themselves to investigative reporting. They will also receive extensive training from experts at the East-West Center, World Report, the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, and others. This professional development will cover strategic financial investigative techniques, journalism safety, cybersecurity, visual storytelling, and international collaboration.

“This partnership allows us to send a reporter to investigate the region’s most pressing financial news,” said Samantha Magick, Executive Editor of Islands Business. “FIRM strengthens our coverage and enhances investigative journalism in the Pacific.”

The initiative is officially launched at the 2024 East-West Centre International Media Conference (IMC) (June 23-26, Manila, Philippines). The conference will feature a panel of selected journalists and representatives of supporting organizations. Talanoa `o Tonga editor Kalafi Moala will attend the IMC along with Siosifa Pomana. Talanoa’o Tonga is an independent newsroom in Tonga that currently operates an online news website.

FIRM is funded through PROJECT Governance, a multi-year collaboration between USAID, the Pacific Community and the East-West Center. “By partnering with local newsrooms through FIRM, we empower them to shine a light on financial issues that have significant economic and political impact,” said Suzanne Vares-Lum, president of the East-West Center.

Founded by the U.S. Congress in 1960, the East-West Center has a long history of supporting independent media in the Indo-Pacific region. World Report, part of the Ground Truth Project, is dedicated to building a sustainable media ecosystem through public service journalism.

The collaboration marks a significant step forward for independent media in the Pacific Islands and will ultimately promote transparency and accountability across the region.