Media strengthening

The objective: A strengthened Solomon Islands media.

 

A well-functioning media is an integral part of any democratic society that helps builds the demand for good governance.

In Solomon Islands, the media plays a key role in holding decision-makers to account, and in communicating what is happening in the nation, particularly for communities located in many of the more isolated parts of the country.

RAMSI’s support, known as the Solomon Islands Media Assistance Scheme – provides support and coaching to Solomon Islands journalists, to build their skills in reporting and editing, to ensure they undertake their work efficiently, ethically and with integrity, and to give them the confidence to ask the tough questions.

The strategy

RAMSI will provide assistance to the Solomon Islands media to:

  1. Strengthen the capacity of commercial and community-based media.
  2. Strengthen Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation’s effectiveness, and its role as the national public broadcaster.
  3. Maintain a close partnership with the Ministry of Communications and Aviation and the
  4. Telecommunications Commission regarding media legislation and broadcasting issues.

The challenges

The work to strengthen Solomon Islands media faces considerable challenges.  Few journalists working in Solomon Islands have the opportunity to undertake formal journalism education or training, with most commencing their working life straight from school as media cadets.  Those few who have had the opportunity to undertake training have had to travel to neighbouring countries, including Australia, New Zealand and Fiji, to do so.

Additionally, all media organisations, including the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation, operate in a financially-insecure, relatively small advertising market, meaning that core resources and equipment, such as computers, audio recorders and cameras are expensive and difficult to source and staff levels remain low.

RAMSI’s work
RAMSI advisers provide training and support to the Solomon Islands media that is designed to build a strong, independent media that represents the interests and information needs of the people of Solomon Islands. This work covers the following key areas:

1. Media training & coaching

RAMSI advisers provide training and development coaching to Solomon Islands media. This work is focused on improving Solomon Islands journalists’ skills in areas, including interview techniques, balanced reporting, fact checking, quoting, analytical skills, story structure, as well and values and ethics in reporting. The key target for this work:

  • Improved capacity of staff and organisations in the commercial and community based media sectors to deliver services relevant to a range of Solomon Islands audiences, including women, youth and those living in provincial areas.

2. Strengthening SIBC

RAMSI provides assistance in strengthening the technical capabilities of Solomon Islands national broadcaster, Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC). This assistance includes improving the sustainability and business practices of SIBC, and work to ensure that as many Solomon Islanders as possible are able to access SIBC’s news and public service information. The key targets for this work include:

  • Existing SIBC transmission infrastructure is repaired or upgraded and safely operating within targeted coverage levels.
  • Improved revenue generation and financial planning by SIBC.
  • Improved capacity of SIBC to deliver services relevant to a range of Solomon Islands audiences, including women, youth and those living in provincial areas.
  • Strengthened ties with the Ministry of Communications and Aviation and the Telecommunications Commissioner regarding media legislation and broadcasting plans.

 

Achievements so far

RAMSI’s assistance in strengthening the Solomon Islands media has recorded a number of key achievements since the program started in 2006. Some of these include:

  • The national media’s reporting standards continue to improve. Stories dealing with contentious issues such as corruption, gender and human rights are now being seen more frequently in the newspapers, and on radio and television.
  • The reach of the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation, the country’s national radio broadcaster, has now substantially improved with RAMSI’s assistance. Approximately 95 per cent of the country is now able to access SIBC shortwave or medium wave services, a major improvement from as recently as 2008 when short wave radio transmission was unavailable in many areas due to transmitter faults.
  • A new Certificate in Journalism course at Solomon Islands Institute of Higher Education commenced in 2010. The new course, developed with the assistance of RAMSI, is providing improved theoretical and practical training for the next generation of Solomon Islands journalists.
  • A National Audience Survey has been compiled for the first time which provides much needed evidence of media audience reach and qualitative information about what audiences expect from their media outlets. This Survey provides a wide range of information that is now helping to shape the direction of media organisations in Solomon Islands.
  • A new website for the Island Sun newspaper was launched in 2010. The website, the creation of which was supported by RAMSI, adds another media outlet to this new medium for the distribution of news from Solomon Islands throughout the country and internationally.
  • Many members of the Media Association of Solomon Islands, the key body representing journalists and media practitioners in Solomon Islands, have received much-needed support for training in areas including web design, sales and marketing.