FMA sends delegation of journalists to cover Festival of Pacific Arts in Hawaii

Fijian Media Association (FMA) editors and executives have farewelled 7 Fijian journalists who flew to Hawaii last night to cover the Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture which starts later today.

This is the first Fijian media delegation organised and sent out by the Fijian Media Association in partnership with the US Embassy and national airline Fiji Airways.

The FMA team to Hawaii is led by Fiji Live editor Reginald Chandar and includes Senior Journalist Alipate Narawa of CFL/fijivillage, Sivaniolo Lumelume of FBC, Josefa Kotobalavu of Mai TV, Stella Morisio Taoi of Fiji TV, Wati Talebula of the Fiji Sun and Kate Talebula of the Fiji Times who will provide coverage for their respective organisations.

FMA General Secretary Stanley Simpson says this is a pioneering partnership to take Fijian journalists to regional and international locations and events we find difficult to cover, and provide coverage from a Fiji perspective for the people of Fiji.

The FMA thanks the US Embassy for the funding to cover accommodation and meals, and national airline Fiji Airways for accepting the proposal to provide return travel tickets that has enabled our journalists to cover this great event celebrating the culture of Pacific people.

Simpson says the Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture stands as the world's largest celebration dedicated to the indigenous Pacific Islanders.

He says it serves as a significant platform for cultural exchange, storytelling, and the vital preservation and celebration of Pacific heritage.

The FMA says it has been instrumental in providing our journalists, and through them the people of Fiji, greater exposure to regional and international events, shaping how they are relevant to people at home and encouraging pride in our Pacific heritage and tradition.

CFL/fijivillage News Director, Vijay Narayan says we will be bringing the Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture in Hawaii closer to our people through our Senior Journalist, Alipate Narawa.

Narayan says people can catch the coverage on CFL's 5 radio stations, website fijivillage and all our social media platforms.

He says this is a historic tour as it is extremely important that we all play our part to celebrate and promote our culture and traditions, and also to ensure that we do not lose the immense pride we have in them now and for generations to come.