Pacific Press Release – Pacific Media Watch, 16 October 2009

SUBEDITORS NEED TO BE TRAINED: FIT

SUVA (Fiji Sun/Pacific Media Watch): There is a need to train subeditors  in the print industry since they are responsible for what goes on paper, Fiji Institute of Technology Board chairman Iqbal Jannif said yesterday.

Jannif raised this issue during the launching of a special edition of the journal Fijian Studies, which covers the media and the ongoing struggle for democracy in the country for the last 20 years.

He said training should not only be restricted to reporters.

It was also important that subeditors received training before they were confirmed in the position.

“I believe that all subeditors in the print industry need to be trained since they are responsible for what is written, and what goes down on paper,” Jannif said.

He said not only should journalists be careful on how they write stories, they should also get more than one person’s view for any article.

“Media’s ways for creating controversy is getting it right and writing it tight whereby the story is cut short with only important bits included.

“This ignores the other person’s views and does not mention what the other party is saying.”

Iqbal said this was usually practised by the media where important bits were left out and the article written would be a one-sided story and not mentioning the other person’s views.

Source: 6494 Pacific Media Watch

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