New Dawn
Encyclopedia
Fiji Focus is a Fiji
bi-monthly newspaper, originally launched as New Dawn by the government of Fiji's Ministry of Information and Archives in June 2009. Its motto is "A better Fiji, for you and me".
Voreqe Bainimarama's government, was "to effectively and directly inform Fiji’s citizens of [the government's] numerous policies and programmes". It also contained a section on civil service vacancies. Articles were written in any of Fiji's three official languages - English
, Fijian
or Hindustani
. It was founded with an aim to counter what the authorities described as an anti-government bias in the media. Permanent Secretary for Information Lt.Col. Neumi Leweni
stated:
At that date, however, the media were subject to strict censorship, following the constitutional crisis of April 2009
.
The newspaper contained articles highlighting government policies and their effects, with a positive slant. The inaugural edition of the newspaper, on June 13, 2009, included articles entitled "Tourism grows", "US Senator moots new approach to Fiji", "Support for Peoples Charter
expands", "Govt to improve services", and "Devaluation positive".
The New Dawn contained twelve pages and was published by Sun News Limited, the publishers of the Fiji Sun
. It was also available online on the Fiji government website.
On June 12, the paper was launched under a new name: Fiji Focus. Smith-Johns' note explained:
Indeed, unlike New Dawn, the masthead
of Fiji Focus identifies it explicitly as "a publication by the Ministry of Information". The motto "A better Fiji, for you and me" is retained. It also retains the other features of New Dawn, including articles in all three national languages, and a list of civil service vacancies. The inaugural edition was twenty pages long.
Fiji
Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
bi-monthly newspaper, originally launched as New Dawn by the government of Fiji's Ministry of Information and Archives in June 2009. Its motto is "A better Fiji, for you and me".
New Dawn
The purpose of New Dawn, as stated by interim Prime MinisterPrime Minister of Fiji
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji is the head of government of Fiji. The Prime Minister was appointed by the President under the terms of the now-suspended 1997 constitution....
Voreqe Bainimarama's government, was "to effectively and directly inform Fiji’s citizens of [the government's] numerous policies and programmes". It also contained a section on civil service vacancies. Articles were written in any of Fiji's three official languages - English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
, Fijian
Fijian language
Fijian is an Austronesian language of the Malayo-Polynesian family spoken in Fiji. It has 450,000 first-language speakers, which is less than half the population of Fiji, but another 200,000 speak it as a second language...
or Hindustani
Hindustani language
Hindi-Urdu is an Indo-Aryan language and the lingua franca of North India and Pakistan. It is also known as Hindustani , and historically, as Hindavi or Rekhta...
. It was founded with an aim to counter what the authorities described as an anti-government bias in the media. Permanent Secretary for Information Lt.Col. Neumi Leweni
Neumi Leweni
Neumi Leweni is a Fijian Army officer and diplomat, who holds the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He hails from the Lau Islands. He joined the Military in 1974 and by 2006 was one of two official spokesmen for the Military, the other being Lieutenant Colonel Orisi Rabukawaqa. In August 2007, he...
stated:
- "Much too often the people have learnt of Government policies and programmes of assistance through secondary sources. Information on Government policies, programmes and achievements had always been conveyed to the people largely through the mainstream media. While Government appreciates that some section of the media practice true journalism ethics by focusing on accurate, balanced and responsible reporting, majority of the media organisations have failed miserably to abide by fair and accountable standards."
At that date, however, the media were subject to strict censorship, following the constitutional crisis of April 2009
2009 Fijian constitutional crisis
The Fijian constitutional crisis of 2009 began on Friday, 10 April 2009. Fijian President Ratu Josefa Iloilo announced on a nationwide radio broadcast that he had suspended the Constitution of Fiji, dismissed all judges and constitutional appointees and assumed all governance in the country after...
.
The newspaper contained articles highlighting government policies and their effects, with a positive slant. The inaugural edition of the newspaper, on June 13, 2009, included articles entitled "Tourism grows", "US Senator moots new approach to Fiji", "Support for Peoples Charter
People's Charter for Change, Peace and Progress
The People's Charter for Change, Peace and Progress is a proposed legal document which would complement the Constitution of the Republic of the Fiji Islands. It would establish compulsory guidelines for any government policy in Fiji over the coming years...
expands", "Govt to improve services", and "Devaluation positive".
The New Dawn contained twelve pages and was published by Sun News Limited, the publishers of the Fiji Sun
Fiji Sun
The Fiji Sun is a daily newspaper published in Fiji. Owned by Sun News Limited, it was first published in September 1999. An internet edition is also published....
. It was also available online on the Fiji government website.
From New Dawn to Fiji Focus
In the twenty-fourth edition, on 29 May 2010, the publisher's note by Sharon Smith-Johns (Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Information) stated:- "New Dawn celebrates its first anniversary in June. The establishment of the Government newspaper last year was intended to provide you news on Government’s key programmes, initiatives, and policies that impact Fiji. The objective remains and we hope to continue to improve New Dawn in the coming year. You will see a new look New Dawn appear in the anniversary edition due for publication June 12th."
On June 12, the paper was launched under a new name: Fiji Focus. Smith-Johns' note explained:
- "The decision to change the name ‘New Dawn’ to Fiji Focus is [...] timely. We felt that as a Ministry we had moved on from the concept of a new beginning as clearly articulated in the People’s CharterPeople's Charter for Change, Peace and ProgressThe People's Charter for Change, Peace and Progress is a proposed legal document which would complement the Constitution of the Republic of the Fiji Islands. It would establish compulsory guidelines for any government policy in Fiji over the coming years...
and encapsulated in the name New Dawn to a complete focus on capturing the implementation of the various stages of the People’s Charter and the milestones of the Strategic Framework for Change and Road Map. - Fiji Focus is simply modernising itself to meet the Government’s objectives. Much has been achieved in the past year. The Ministry of Information must continue to be at the forefront of public awareness of Government’s policies, programmes and achievements."
Indeed, unlike New Dawn, the masthead
Nameplate (publishing)
In publishing, a nameplate is the title of a newspaper or other periodical in the type style and treatment in which it appears on the front page or cover of the periodical...
of Fiji Focus identifies it explicitly as "a publication by the Ministry of Information". The motto "A better Fiji, for you and me" is retained. It also retains the other features of New Dawn, including articles in all three national languages, and a list of civil service vacancies. The inaugural edition was twenty pages long.
External links
- Online editions on the Fiji government website