Three new media personalities from around the region have been elected in the Pacific Islands New Association (PINA) Board, following elections at the Annual General Meeting in Palau Friday.
Elected as Vice President is the President of the Palau Media Council, Moses Uludong while joining him on the Board are Solomons Star Editor Ofani Eremae, representing the Print media, and Nuku’alofa Times Publisher/Editor Iliesa Tora, representing the Online/Digital Media sector.
The ONLINE/Digital Media sector is the new addition to PINA.
Retaining their seats on the Board are President Moses Stevens of Vanuatu, Fernando Lobendahn from Fiji TV, who represents TV, Evelyn Toa from Vanuatu representing National Media Associations and Radio Rep Janet Kwalau from NBC PNG.
The new Board will now direct PINA’s activities for the next two years, with elections due again at the next Pacific Media Summit in 2018.
The Board will also have to decide on the host for the 5th Pacific Media Summit, with bids received from Tonga and Papua New Guinea.
Tonga’s bid has been supported by the Tongan Government, through the office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister in charge of Information and Communication, Siaosi Sovaleni.
PNG, on the other hand, will have to seek their Government’s support.
Meanwhile, the 4th Pacific Media Summit in Palau ended Friday, with participants and resource personnel joining their hosts on Rock Islands for the annual PINA Retreat.
PINA President Moses Stevens thanked the Palau Government and the Office of the President for their support and for hosting a successful meeting.
He said it is now the responsibility of individual media companies and the respective national media councils to ensure that the media does it job and helps in national development, while at the same time ensuring that there is a free media in the region.
Tonga has been represented at the event by Radio and TV Tonga’s Anton Samita and Tora of Nuku’alofa Times, also representing the newly formed Friendly Islands Sports Journalists Association