Solomon Island student Rickson Bau ... new opportunities. Photo: USP Journalism

Pacific.Scoop
By Kelepi Abariga in Suva

With the opening of a new television station in the Solomon Islands, student journalists from the University of the South Pacific are looking forward to the opportunity of entering the workforce upon completion of their studies.

The chief executive officer of One Television, Dorothy Wickham, said current USP journalism students had a good chance of being considered for positions in the station because of their training and experience.

“Having more trained people in the television industry is important because this raises the standard of the industry. Too many times we have looked to Australia and New Zealand television crews doing documentaries on us [Pacific region] which has not helped build the industry,” she said.

Owen Talo, technical director of One Televison, also conveyed his support for USP journalism students from the Solomons.

He said the company relied greatly on Solomon Islands nationals to return and help support the progress of the new industry.

Talo was grateful to USP for providing a professional learning environment for journalism students.

A second year Solomon Islands student, Leni Delavera, said: “One TV is an opportunity for me as a communications officer back home to pursue a career in TV production.

“I am at present learning the various ethical and practical lessons of journalism. The course will help prepare me fully, especially for the TV industry.

“The recent USP Journalism workshop on investigative journalism sponsored by the United States Embassy is also relevant to my work back home.”

Broadcast lecturer Nash Sorariba said the commitment shown by the Solomon Islands students was a positive sign.

He said they were gaining much-needed theory and hands-on skills to prepare them for future roles in television.

Kelepi Abariga is a student journalist at the University of the South Pacific.