Parkinson says to operate and function as a nation, we need local media to survive

It was glitz and glamour at Communications Fiji Limited's client cocktail hosted at our home at 231 Waimanu Road, Suva as clients and partners came together to celebrate CFL's 40th anniversary.

CFL General Manager, Charles Taylor says last night is not about just reflecting on the past, it is also an opportunity to thank our loyal clients and partners.

Taylor told those gathered that many of them have been with CFL for almost 40 years.

CFL Chairman, the man who started it all 40 years ago, William Parkinson says it is quite murky when many media organizations look into the future.

Parkinson says there is so much going on around us, so many challenges coming our way, and we have had to really think carefully about how do we tackle that.

He says we were very early on the digital front as fijivillage was launched in 1997.

Parkinson says we have continued to build that brand so now it is the number one news website in the country.

He says we also have our partners from the Fiji media, adding we all face considerable challenges in terms of the future, and what worries him in this digital world of social media is how does a democracy function in this environment of differing opinions, information that is just made up, that can drive policy and other things based on just people's opinion rather than anything based on solid hard facts.

Parkinson says he believes that both here and in other countries across the world, in the western countries in particular, we will see a move back to those traditional trusted information providers.

He says that's a key thing if we are going to function as a democracy.

The CFL Chairman reminded the clients that when they are thinking about the investments they are making in terms of marketing, to support their local media first, and then think about sending money to Google and to whoever else like facebook.

He says if we are going to operate and function as a nation, we need local media to survive.

Parkinson says we need local trusted sources of information and he thinks that is absolutely critical.

Today selected staff will have a seminar with our overseas consultants followed by a heartfelt evening dedicated to former CFL team members who helped shape our legacy from 6pm to 10pm.

The CFL Gratitude Concert tomorrow will be from 4pm to 11pm with artists like Seru Serevi, Laisa Vulakoro, Saimoni Vuatalevu, Big Wilz, Steve Macomber, Kuki, Georgina Ledua, Rosi Loa, Tom Mawi, Vegas 6, Marama, The Gang, Nicky and Ouvacast ft. Billy T, Ciwa Music – Ratu, Kaliti, Asinate and Oni as well as entertainment from the VOU Dance Company and the Bollywood Dhamaka Show from the Navtarang and Radio Sargam team and Ronald Jai.