Pacific Islands Communication Newsletter, December 1976, Vol. 6
1NFO1MATWN SERVICES RESEARCH 0,1 EAST-WEST CENTER -
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;M ommunTeaUon,owote,rLANLJ
rJ I4! Pacific Islands News Association Suva, Fiji Honolulu,Social Sciences & Linguistics Institute Hawaii East-West Communication Institute Honolulu, Hawaii
December, 1976 Vol. 6, No. 4 DUAL HEADACHES, CONFUSION IN NEW HEBRIDES
By FLOYD TAKEUCHI of applicable laws: British and Both Residencies produce fort- Assistant Editor French. There are two police ser- nightly newspapers. The British vices, two school systems, two publish the New Hebrides News which medical services and two hospitals. was formerly known as the British in PORT VILA--The New Hebrides Even postage stamps are issued Newsletter. The paper is sold for are either a bureaucrats dream or their British and French versions. 20 cents a copy, and 62% of its nightmare, depending upon how one Two currencies are used, the copy is in English with an estimated looks at it. The joint administr4- Australian dollar and the New 29% in Bislama, the New Hebridean tion of the Anglo-French Condomin- Hebrides Franc, and it is common Pidgin English. ium, now 70 years old, is a colonial to receive change in both currencies. is the oddity left over from the days of Nabanga French-produced 19th century imperialism and gun- paper which, unlike the New Hebrides the midst of this boat diplomacy. In Anglo- News, often has its front page pro- Franco tossed salad, as New duced in two-color. Nabanga is the Condomin- In fact, one of the laws still Hebrideans often call the Bislama word for banyan tree, and ium, the British Information on the books calls for the King of the fortnightly sells for 60 francs Service and its in the to appoint a neutral presi- counterpart (one Australian dollar equals 100 Spain to dent of the Joint Court, which like French Residency attempt provide New Hebrides francs). The paper is the New Hebrides with information-- almost everything else here, has published in French (68%), Bislama French version, of one British and one French judge. in a British and (29%) and English (3%). The last time the New Hebrides saw course. (story continued page 5) a Spanish president of the court was some 40 years ago. With the Times St wins coming to power of King Juan Carlos, Fiji journall Fellowship Adishwar Padarath, the Fiji Centre in Cardiff, United Kingdom, there was some tongue-in-cheek Suns chief reporter, is among the on a Commonwealth Press Foundation speculation in Vila that a new nine incoming Jefferson Fellows who Fellowship. He has also served as president was on the way. will begin their professional deve- acting news editor at the Sun. Prior First-time visitors to the lopment program at the East-West to joining Suva's afternoon daily, New Hebrides are struck by the Center in January. Padarath was from 1970 to 1975 the duplication which takes place in political and deputy chief reporter the almost every department and govern- He received his training at for the Fiji Times. ment agency. There are two sets Thomson Foundation Editorial Study (story continued page 2) - = ------ii WHAT'S INSIDE
Editor's Notes 2 Bystrom Prize? 3 Usher & the Press 3 : Majuro Cable TV 6 PNG Journalists 8 Film in hawaii 10 Media Prufile 11 PICN Wa,,s., You 12 on the (ondominium In the eventoffire, either Irene/n or English will do. This sign communication Building in Port Vila, New hebrides, highlights the possibilities for confusion.
PADARATH JOINS EWC 1r TTrr: 1977 FELLOWS - JEFFERSON (continued from page 1) Assignments have taken him to many South Pacific countries, in- cluding Western Samoa and Papua New X 111W RIHSTAJJ Guinea. Padarath has also covered meetings of the South Pacific Forum. During his Fellowship, Padarath will I It is with great relief that It was good to see that Cisco study problems confronting journal- can announce that Floyd Takeuchi, Uludong is back in the newspaper ists in a multi-racial society. PICN assistant editor, has returned business. As reported in a separate from his six-month trip through the article, he is now editor of the The Fiji journalist will be South Pacific. He was studying cine- Marianas Variety in Saipan, and joining eight other writers and ma patterns in the Pacific Islands, plunging right into the coverage of broadcasters from New Zealand, the and is busy now writing his results. the political status talks, Northern Republic of China, Indonesia, Iran, When they are done, they should give Marianas constitution, and so forth. Japan, the Republic of Korea, Burma, us a much better understanding of Uludong is in many ways responsible and Malaysia. The Fellows will what is perhaps the oldest mass medi- for the Pacific Islands Communication spend 13 weeks at the East-West Com- um in many Pacific Islands. But my Newsletter. When he was a journalism munication Institute and three weeks relief is that Floyd can resume his student at the University of Hawaii on the U.S. mainland, visiting com- editorial tasks for the Newsletter, in the late 1960s, he and a few munication, educational, and cultur- which he has done with this issue. al centers. Not only are we carrying several of his stories from the New Hebrides, others from the Pacific Islands in- Papua New Guinea and Micronesia, he terested me in a journalism training is the and pasteup. program for Islanders, and one was doing layout . '. organized in cooperation with the East-West Center, in summer of 1970. Glen Wright is compiling items Shortly after, the Communication In- from the press in the Pacific Is- stitute came into being, and I moved lands, and circulating them under from the journalism faculty to the the name Polymelamicro Features. Institute staff. One of the first Wright, a long-time observer of the activities at the Institute was the Pacific Islands press, returned to Pacific Islands Journalism Newslet- Western Samoa in September, for a ter, as PICN was first called, as a planned three-year stay. He will be follow up to the training program. doing freelance writing and working on a couple of books. PICN will try for more details from Wright on Poly- melamicro Features for the next is- Uludong is one of the few Pacif- ADISHWAR PADARATH sue. The feature service appeared ic Islands editors who have gone in the December 3 Marianas Variety through a university program in jour- Austin Sapias, then with the our first notice of it. nalism, Welcome back, Francisco. Post-Courier in Papua New Guinea, is the only other Jefferson Fellow (1972) from the Pacific Islands. Fa'alogo Pito Fa'alogo, editor of TRUKESE the Samoa Times, was selected for BROADCASTING, STYLE the Fellowship in 1973 but could not educational programs, too, but my participate. favorite ones are the dramas. Established in 1967, the Jeffer- Leanne McLaughlin, Pacific Daily News Jam is a Trukese scriptwriter son Fellowships are designed to assistant city editor, wrote this story while who works for the Social Action broaden the professional capabilities Center on Truk, cutting radio tapes and intellectual horizons of mid- on a recent trip through the Trust Terri- for WSZC, the government radio career journalists who have demons- It in the November 25, tory. appeared station. trated achievement in their profes- 1976 issue of the Guam daily. sion. Asian, Pacific Island, and "We do our own spots but they American journalists are eligible the dis- do have to be approved by for the program. TRUK--When he hunches over the trict administration, noted the head of two tape units in the cramped, Rev. W. 3. Fogelsanger, Among their activities at the darkened room behind the church the action agency. "Wed like to Center, the Fellows will participate art but that in a seminar on Tongei Jam revives a dying start our own station, international commu- form--the radio drama. would have to be someday in the nication covering professional jour- future. nalistic problems. The Jefferson Most of my ideas come from Fellows will lead seminar discus- several radio books, legends about Micronesia Jam produces sions on the impact of multinational each and and what I see when I look at the spots for broadcast day communication organizations on na- a way people live,' ,]ain, 25, explained segments for "Youth Magazine," tional systems, "cultural imperial- music and mes- as he threaded a new tape into the longer program of ism," the free flow of information, machine. "I do religious and (story continued page 6) and the right to communicate.
STAR-BULLETIN CALLS PEACESAT NLTB N AWESOME,' LAUDS BYSTROM iji The following editorial ap- The PEACESAT story is as awe- peared in the December 6, 1976, is- some as it is unique. There is sue of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin nothing else like the system and With Because the PEACESAT system serves there never has been. the Pacific Islands region, the editors of PICN felt it would be And not a penny of federal Debut In Suva especially appropriate to reprint money has been spent on the system the editorial here. since it was established. Vanua a newspaper published by the Native Land Trust Board in Fiji, Prize for PEACESAT That is an achievement that made its appearance at mid-year. deserves wide recognition. S. Railoa is the editor. Railoa, John Bystrom of the University in his first editorial in the July! of Hawaii should be nominated for August issue, notes that Vanua one of the next Nobel prizes or means "Land' in Fijian. He said another top-level award. "Vanua Newspaper is primarily de- signed to disseminate items of news Bystrorn is the UH communica- . from and to the Native Land Trust tions professor who with only funds provided by the State Legislature Board so that every effort can be and Governors Burns and Ariyoshi made to develop better relations be- established PEACESAT, the Pan tween the Board, its principals and Pacific Education and Communications tenants and the public as a whole in Experiments by Satellite system five order to encourage better and more years ago. productive use of Fijian land.' The bit JOii1 IuiI editor also said the paper would What Bystrom did, as explained The satellite that Bystroms "discard colourful journalism if by in a Star-Bulletin story published system uses cost the American adopting such colouring it will on Thanksgiving Day, was to make people $7 million to put into ser- use of a communications satellite vice to gather weather information. create ill-feelings and bring havoc to a such as we have in to link receiving/transmitting It had done its job by the end of society Fiji." centers in 14 Pacific areas. 1969 and was about to become space The newspaper's address is 431, Vic- junk. toria Parade, Box 116, Suva, Fiji. Each center cost the people who Vanua was to be printed every two run it about $5,000. "Commercial' Bystrom literally made it live months, with a circulation of 6,000. terminals providing at least basi- again and made it potentially able It takes advertising. It is pub- cally similar service are seldom to improve the quality of life in lished in English and Fijian. It built for less than $2.5 million an area comprising 42 per cent of is printed by NEWS (South Pacific) each. the Earths surface. Ltd. Len Usher Responsibility, Accuracy Essential If Press Is To Remain Free L.G. Usher, organizing Everythingdirector rests on a passion for Every inaccurate report, every for the Pacific Islands News Associa- the truth among everybody connected sensational and false headline, every tion in Suva, recently wrote a letter with news reporting and presentation, "angled' photograph caption or broad- to the editor of the fjJj Sun, to as well as among all who read or cast news item damages the faith of protest what he considered-U- be a listen, readers or listeners in the Press and very misleading headline. After dis- diminishes the passion with which cussing the headline, Usher turned to In the training of a journalist, free citizens will be prepared to de- the broader question of how inaccura- the paramount importance of checking fend the continued existence of free- cies affect the standing and respect and re-checking facts is given great dom of expression. time feels of the press. He said, in part: emphasis. Every somebody justi- fied in saying, "You cant believe The press here, as elsewhere, "When in doubt leave out is one newspaper or radio reports," or will remain free, and will be able to distillation of this aspect of train- "They'll just print anything to build defend that freedom with vigour, as- ing. up sales and make money" some of the sured of the backing of the people it I would like to see every writer foundations of freedom of expression serves, only if it continues to ful- of headlines or photo captions trained are eroded. fill the fundamental duties on which also to answer the questions: First, If, as was said 200 years ago, freedom rests. 'Is this the absolute truth?"; "Does external vigilance is the condition it faithfully reflect the facts given on which mankind enjoys liberty, the These duties are to seek out in the accompanying or following re- constant, unremitting maintenance of facts; to make them known promptly port?" and third, "Is it free of any standards of responsibility and ac- and (most important) accurately and element of sensationalism or bias?" curacy by newspapers and broadcast- impartially; to comment on them res- ing organisations is essential if ponsibly and to provide a forum for If comments of this sort become the freedom of expression which others to present their views; and frequent or widespread, then these means so much in the free world is to be a watchdog against any misuse foundations can be so damaged that to remain a precious possession and of authority or power in any part of the precious edifice they support not run the risk of deteriorating community or national life. will be in danger of being toppled. to a mere name.
Moves were afoot in Suva to Francisco Uludong, one of The guide will be more helpful revive the Fiji Press Club. At a re- Palaus more outspoken journalists, to writers with limited experience, cent meeting headed by Raymond Moti, has rejoined the ranks of the pro- but could also serve as handy of the news staff of the Fiji Broad- fession in the Trust Territory. reference for any public information casting Commission, more than 60 Formerly manager of the Chase organization. newsmen and associates decided to Manhattan Bank branch on Saipan, draw up a formal constitution for Uludong has been appointed as editor Professionalism is stressed later approval of the Marianas Variety. Abed throughout the guide. Many writers the Pacific should find the Air New Zealand booklet easier to use than a style book or press manual.
Copies maybeobtained by SHORT TAKES: PRESS writing to: Public Affairs Depart- ment, Air New Zealand, Private Bag, Auckland, New Zealand.
John H. Teare has been named Younis, former editor and publisher, the News, is managing editor of Daily- concentrating on publishing mat- it was announced by Pub- ters. Chase Manhattan decided to lisher Robert E. Udick. close all and shut down itsmarginal operations,branch a few 1(uriiar, We Assume Teare replaces George R. months ago. Saipan berBlake,1973managing. editor since Decem- New Responsibilities New Guinea Quarterly Teare, 35, comes to Guam from At the Lansing State Journal in The New Guinea Quarterly, pub- Fiji's Major Dailies Michigan, which with the Daily News lished by the Council on New Guinea There have been changes in the is a member of the Gannett Group. Affairs, has been printed by Harbour senior staff of Fiji's two daily news- Before joining the Lansing staff Press, 122 Chalmers Street, Sydney papers. in March 1973, Teare was a reporter since Pacific Publications gave up for the Associated Press in Michigan its printing arm. Vijendra Kumar (39), has been and New York. editor of the Times ###### appointed Fiji and John Vile is associate editor of In his new job Teare will Information officers and public the Fiji Sun. supervise all newsroom operation of relations writers can now rely on a the Daily News and its more than helpful booklet prepared by Air New The execufive head of the Fiji 30 editors, reporters, and photog- Zealand's Public Affairs Department. Times and Herald Ltd., with the ti- raphers. A Guide To Public Relations Planning tle of general manager, is Dallas 18 pages, offers suggestions on Swinstead (38), an Australian jour- everything from writing a news re- nalist who has in recent years been Blake is to be reassigned by lease to organising a publicity editor of the Melbourne Sunday Press Gannett in January. campaign. (This is a joint venture of David syme and Company Ltd. and the Herald INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATION POLICY AND FLOW and Weekly Times Ltd.) The Herald and Weekly Times Ltd. publish the A Selected Annotated Bibliography Melbourne Herald and own the Fiji edited by Times and Herald Ltd. HM RICHSTAD and IACKIE BOWEN Kumar was the Fiji Times Western The East-West Communication In- able in late March, 1977. This report Division manager, stationed at Lauto- stitute has published "International will include papers given at the Fair ka until he was transferred to Suva Communication Policy and Flow--A Communication Policy Conference. The as news editor. Selected Annotated Bibliography. papers are presented in four subsec- The 103-page bibliography, edited by tions: International Communication: He is succeeded at Lautoka by Jim Richstad and Jackie Bowen, was Perspectives on the Problem, Cultural Timoci Naqoli of the company's ac- originally prepared for the Fair Coni- Indicators and Flow Perspectives: counts staff at Suva. munication Policy Conference held in Some Cases. Approach to Solutions: March and April, 1976 at the Communi- Agreements and Alternatives, and, John Vile goes to the Fiji Sun cation Institute. What Can Be Done: Working Reports. from the Fiji Ministry of Information where he was appointed publications A year-long project, the select- officer toward the end of last year. ed bibliography tries 'to focus on For the previous seven years he was the critical issues in international Among the authors included in associate editor of the Fiji Times communication that have arisen in the "New Perspectives" are Wilbur Schramm, Herbert Schiller, John past six years or so because that Bystrom, Tapio Other Fiji Sun appointments an- Vans, and E. Sommerlad. seemed to be a time of great change, Lloyd nounced by the editor and publisher, with global communication (and its Philip Harkness, are Glen Mackay, as attendant concerns) becoming a reali- assistant editor, and Adishwar (Spike) The bibliography is available ty.' 223 listings are given. by Padarath, as chief reporter. wriiriy LO tne ruoirccions uTricer, A companion volume, "New Perspec- East-West Communication Institute, At the Fiji Times, William tives in International Communication," 1777 East-West Road, Honolulu, Hawaii Simpson has been made advertising edited by Jim Richstad, will be avail-96822. manager.
People I spoke with generally agreed that if the political status Official Press Dominates New Hebrides of the New Hebrides is not deter- mined soon, the situation could deteriorate rapidly. Some gave 10 (continued from page 1) so unique. One quickly learns years as the limit, others as soon The New Hebrides News has an that a great many differences exist as five. estimated circulation of 2,800 between the two administrations. while Nabanga is thought to reach The communication media in the some 2,500 A recent debate over people. Both information public New Hebrides do not appear to make services admit that it is very dif- the two educational systems shows any serious efforts to ease these ficult to gauge actual circulation to what lengths the "tit-for-tat' tensions. Much of the reason is due since one copy may be passed through atmosphere can go. Nabanga started to the official nature of the media. many hands. it by carrying an article critical But if changes in political status of the British educational program. are to come within the near future, Three private newspapers pub- The response was predictable and it will have to be these official lish in the New Hebrides, but their 'debate the was on. Radio Vila organs which make the transition circulation is limited and two of got involved in the controversy when smoother than it would otherwise be. the three papers are published it aired one side, and then was quarterly. Echo, an independent forced to carry a response in the In comparison with other fortnightly published in French, next news broadcast. Pacific Island countries which were has a circulation of 600. The New Hebrides Viewpoint which is put out by the New Hebrides National Party, is published in English and Bislama and supports the party's efforts for indepen- dence. The paper's quarterly circulation is 1,000. One Bread a quarterly devoted to religious news, is published by the Anglican Diocese of the New Hebrides and reaches some 200 readers in English and Bislama.
The French and British Infor- mation Services collaborate in the W Stecens (left) and an editorial asta1U us use brsts/ J,sj ormalIon production of Radio Vila, the only (reojjr.y Office an issue the New Hebrides News, a newsletter, in Port Vila. official broadcasting station in prepare of fortnightly the New Hebrides. Another aspect of the French! former colonies, the situation in the British split is the issue of local- New Hebrides is very bleak. The An unofficial and unlicensed ization. In this respect, the first New Hebridean college graduate, radio station operates out of the British Residency seems to be making for example, graduated in the late island of Espiritu Santo in the a more concerted effort to put New 1960s. A large number of students, northern New Hebrides. It is Hebrideans in positions of adminis- because of extremely limited space, backed a by secessionist movement trative responsibility. For the cannot complete their secondary which has declared independence official papers, the staff of the schooling. Large land holdings are from the Condominium. It is unclear New Hebrides News is all New in the hands of expatriates, pri- how many supporters the Na Grimel Hebridean with the exception of manly French. Movement has, but it is reported Geoffrey Stevens, British Senior that the financial support for the Information Officer, who oversees The French appear to be more movement comes from wealthy all information activities. reluctant to relinquish control of Americans who are attempting to the New Hebrides than the British. establish a tax-free country to Nabanga which is edited by This is due in part to the extensive protect their earnings. Jean Massias, French Senior Infor- land and business interests of mation Officer, is produced by a French colonialists, some of which Because the two services work staff which is largely made up of have been there for more than 100 together in producing Radio Vila French nationals. The French years. programs, it is in this area that Residency has also made heavy use the greatest difficulties occur. of French volunteers who serve in Another important consideration The limited broadcasting hours, the overseas service in lieu of is he existence of independence for example, are due in large part military service. movements in French Polynesia and to the fact that both Residencies New Caledonia. Independence for must approve any increase. Because of the tense political the New Hebrides would no doubt news is lim- atmosphere, political increase the pressure for France to ited. The secessionist movement in Bob Makin, a Britisher who grant independence to the other manages the station, said that an the north, for example, is given Pacific areas. increase in broadcasting time was little publicity. Political demon- forthcoming. But because of the strations are not allowed on movie The British are reluctant to screens the local film censor leave highly charged political situation, by until the French do. This these increases are slow in coming. board. Yet one suspects that these has led to a political stalemate efforts at caution and control are in which neither side wants to In fact, it is the political of little use as there have been leave and the New Hebrideans are situation which makes the journal- active demonstrations, with some caught in the middle. istic efforts in the New Hebrides violence, in recent times. (story continuedpage 6)
New Hebrides Condominium Faces Political Divisions TRUKESE DJ USES DRAMA,MUSIC (continued from page 5) It is doubtful that the tran- sition to independence, if it does (continued from page 2) ,Jain has done some dramas on come, will be smooth. A sad irony sages about youth problems, "the marital problems, he said. of the present political situation gap between the older and younger is that there are political divi- generations and drinking problems," "Young marriage is common here sions among the New Hebrideans he explained. and there are many breakups. In my themselves. After taking racno courses at culture you can either marry in a Some support the French, while Truk High School in 1969 and 1970 church or just start living together. others back the British. Political Jam went to Saipan for a month to According to the old ways your in- parties have been formed along study radio programming and to laws could initiate a divorce if these lines. In addition to the Majuro for a 45-day scriptwriting they didn't like the way you were political differences, there is a workshop, he said. treating their daughter. But this strong identification with one's is changing." home island or village rather than "Right now I'm just finishing with the New Hebrides as a whole. up a spot on the five-year plan for Jam has taped some panel It is only when someone leaves the agriculture in the district," Jam discussions with Trukese young New Hebrides that he identifies said as he rewound the tape. "I people and intersperses his spots with the larger political entity. do some short spots if a government and dramas with music. agency requests it. I don't really have any favorite script since I "The kids like rock and roll New Air Pacific Magazine, like most of them. But I guess the and country music the best," Jam best ones are the ones that concern said. "We surveyed them and found 'South Pacific News,' Ready problems in our society." that the island kids are just like their Mainland counterparts in Drinking is a problem among musical tastes." Another new publication for the many Trukese young people "who are South Pacific was scheduled for Octo- bored so they entertain themselves Although the makeshift studio ber 1976. The publication, Air Pacif-with a bottle," he noted. behind the church is cramped and ic's South Pacific News, is edited by dark it is air-conditioned and Shirirker of N(South Pacific) "We don't have a drug problem equipped with enough electronic Ltd. in Suva. except when a ship comes in from a gear for Jam to create most of the foreign port and the sailors have programs he wants, he explained. The News will come out bi-month- drugs with them," he said. "One the ly, with a press run estimated at problem we have are bad movies, "The hardest work is done in 18,000. It will be distributed free violent ones. I did a show on my head," he laughed. "As long as aboard all Air Pacific regional what the four kinds of ratings my ideas don't dry up we'll stay them to flights. English is used. mean, explaining parents." in business."
The publication will carry tourist-oriented materials about the South Pacific, including maps of the area and information on excursions PANTIES, POTATO CHIPS FILL and golfing.
Advertising is accepted. Address MARSHALL ISLANDS CABLE TV is News (South Pacific) Ltd., P.O. Box 5176, Raiwaqa, Suva, Fiji. FLOYD TAKEIJCHI By Pinho, who is also the manager Assistant Editor of Island Construction Company on Communication Institute Study Majuro, says that there are 245 MAJURO--To the uninitiated, subscribers on Majuro and an addi- In Final Research Design Stage "Pringles" are potato chips that tional 205 on Ebeye. Pacific come in a can, not a bag. And Communications charges $15 a month The final research design phase "Pringles" are now a hot selling for residential service, and $25 of a flow of the news study is now item in stores on Majuro atoll in for commercial service. going on at the Communication Insti- the Marshall Islands. According to tute in Honolulu. The study will the manager of Pacific Communica- focus on the flow in the Pacific Is- tions Company, Kirtley Pinho, "We hope to get 600 subscribers lands. We have collected most of the retailers can thank television for by the end of this year," Pinho Island papers for the months of Octo- the success of the unorthodox food says, and he is looking to Kwajalein ber and November for the study. product. for an additional 400 direct broad- east subscribers. Plans are underway A planning meeting was held in The first cable television to install a 100-watt transmitter mid-September (see September PICN) broadcast began on Majuro on April on Ebeye to broadcast from a 60-foot also and out of those talks and other 15, 1975. A similar system was tower. Subscribers on Kwajalein study the design is being developed. started on Ebeye island in the will need a signal decoder device to of Kwajalein atoll, northwest receive the television signal By the next issue of PICN, we Majuro, and limited broadcasting should be able to have a full story from Ebeye to Kwajalein island has on the study design. also been in effect. (story continued page 7)
ABC's Wide World of Sports. Scrambler To Expansion Kwajalein All of the Olympic broadcasts ere highly received, as were the Likely For Pacific Communication inter Olympics games. (continued from page 6) Because it tapes all shows di- Pacific Communica- Currently, Administrator, the chief Trust Tern- rectly from Hawaiian television, tions is using a 1-watt transmitter tory official in the Marshalls, Pacific Communications also carries with a 30-foot antenna. Viewers on would have the right to censor any all the advertising which appears Kwajalein, who do not need a decoder program. This provision has not been on Hawaii screens. These include the now, are asked to volunteer a $15 used in the year and a half of tele- political spots and local ads for month. Pinho estimates that there vision operations. Hawaiian products and services. are a number of viewers on Kwajalein, a United States Army mis- "We almost never have complaints News is carried nightly, one sile testing facility, who do not about the shows," notes Pinho. week after it is screened in Hawaii. service. There pay for the "free" seem to be different standards Pacific Communications used to carry placed on some shows, though, and the Hawaii local news, but received is in All programming taped this confuses the management. While complaints from Majuro residents Hawaii by a sister company of most police programs are popular, that they did not want to see Hawaii Communications, Pacific Pacific an occasional one may be criticized news. Pinho responded by showing Taping. Programs are from all of by some for the "excessive violence" the CBS national news, which is the three U.S. networks, and major it portrays. broadcast to Hawaii by satellite, come from programs shown in Hawaii during the weekdays, and carries the between 3 p.m. and 10 p.m. It is Sex, of course, is a taboo Hawaii news on weekends. not uncommon to see the CBS Evening subject. But, as Pinho says, "it News with Walter Cronkite (shown one is difficult to find any show these Programming begins at 3 o'clock week late) being followed by a days which doesn't have one or two in the afternoon and goes until nationally syndicated program shown shots of a girl in panties and a either 10:30 or 11 p.m. All shows by Hawaii's ABC affiliate, KITV. bra." In fact, one evening when I are in color. was watching television an adver- Television shows are chosen for tisement for a new seamless panty Pacific Communications also the Marshall Islands audience by for women was aired. During the 60- sells television receivers at prices Pacific Communications with the lo- second spot, a woman was shown from below most Majuro dealers. This is cal viewers in mind. The people the rear walking down a busy street, due to a special franchise, Pinho here like action' shows," Pinho only to have her clothes disappear says, which allows them to sell says. Among the more popular pro- to show the virtues of her new under- the sets at cost. grams are Hawaii 5-0, and S.W.A.T., garment. At the end of the commer- a police show about a paramilitary cial, the model turns to the viewers Expansion is likely, especially unit of the Los Angeles Police De- and with the slightest suggestion to Kwajalein. Pinho says that once partment, and Starsky and Hutch, of a smile says, "It's like wearing the new transmitter and tower are another police/action series. nothing at all." built on Ebeye for broadcasts to Kwajalein, he expects about 400 new Most American comedy programs, In what might be a pique moti- subscribers. This will boost the such as Maude, do very poorly, ac- vated by the pressures of running total amount of subscribers to a the cable Pinho also adds cording to Pinho. "These shows are operation, projected 1,000 for the Marshall that of the who too fast for most of them," he says, many people complain Islands. Pinho says that they need noting that much of the humor is about excessive sex on the screen at least 600 to break even. related to American culture. are the same ones who frequent the midnight screenings of "blue" movies Pacific Communications is also However, Sanford and Son is at some Majuro theaters. connected with the new television very popular because "it is fun just operation being established in looking at the guy." The program Cultural preference seems to Palau in western Micronesia. They a in the of is a comedy series, now discontinued, play part popularity are helping set up the equipment, which portrays the antics of an old programs that deal with the super- which will be direct broadcast with and grizzly junk collector and his natural. One series in particular subscribers renting decoders, and more liberal son. And, of course, that dealt with a newspaper reporter the two companies will share the use most everyone seems "crazy" about tracking down vampires was a big of Pacific Taping in Honolulu. the Lucy Show. hit. And in the movie theaters, shows about demons and ghosts rival According to Pinho, it now costs When asked how he judges the kung-fu films in their popularity. Pacific Communications $2,500 for popularity of television programs, Ghosts and spirits play an important one week of video tapes. With the Pinho says that the island is very part in Marshallese legends and Palau television station and Marshall small, and people can easily stop there are many people who believe operation joining together, the him on the street to complain or in their existence. total cost will be $3,000, with each praise the programming. station paying half. Sports is another area where A viewer survey was attempted, there is selective popularity of At this point, it seems that Pinho says, but the response was programming. American football a video tape will be sent to Majuro poor and the program schedule changed does not go over big with one week after it is broadcast in a almost completely soon afterward. Marshallese, although Pinho sees Honolulu, then flown to Ebeye the receptive audience in the Americans following week, and then three weeks When the its Basketball, company received residing on Kwajalein. later sent to Palau. Pinho plans license to broadcast, one of the however, is very popular as is the provisions was that the District weekly Saturday afternoon program, (story continued page 8)
MAJURO CABLE TV POPULAR
(continued from page 7) to have news tapes shipped on a two-to-three-day delay basis to keep A& them from becoming too old by the ,W time they are shown. ØQ.
This is one of a series of reports/analyses of Pacific Islands communication written I by Floyd Tokeuchi forPICN. Ar, Takeuchi spent most of the last part of 1976 traveling through the islands, conducting a study Bill Kuamin (left), Press Secretary to the Prime Minister, and Luke Sela (center) on cinenuL of thePapua New Guinea Office of Information, begin a meeting of journalists in Port Moresby. Kuamin was elected interim president of the new journalist association PNG Form New Association Another possible area of ex- Journalists pansion for Pacific Communications By FLOYD TAKEUCHI was "elected" temporary president is the movie business. One of the Assistant Editor by the group (his two opponents primary stockholders in the company declined to run) and the past met is the owner of the Cinerama hotel PORT MORESBY--The first step the present head on. and movie theater chain in Hawaii. toward a nation-wide press associa- Pinho said there is some talk of tion was taken here August 24 amid Sela has been involved in building an air-conditioned theater hopes for the future but with ten- some of the past attempts to form a on Majuro that would feature first- sion and mistrust from the past. journalists association in Papua run films on a regular basis. The New Guinea and was associated by four movie theaters that are cur- some of the people there with the rently screening films are either Forty-two journalists from the failure of those attempts. That, fan or breeze' cooled, and usually Papua New Guinea Post-Courier the coupled with a heavy-handed approach show older American or kung-fu National Broadcasting Commission to running the meeting, got things pictures. (NBC), the government Office of off to a tense start. Information, the Australian Broad- casting Commission (ABC) and the The issue was also aired when On Majuro itself, Pinho plans University of Papua New Guinea to have the system eventually be- gathered for the two-and-a-half-hour Boe Arua, NBC News Editor, suggested that the consider come a decoded broadcast rather than meeting, and established an interim group why past remain a cable system. He will journalists association. attempts failed before they went too start this by putting up the present far with planning for yet another tower from Ebeye on Majuro to serve association. Kuamin agreed, saying, the western side of the atoll. The If past efforts are any indi- "The question here is, 'Do we this new high costs of cable, made even cation, organization (it really want an organization?' If was not a name at the initial our first is to higher by the former company which given we do, task look faces difficulties operated the system, and the adverse meeting) getting at these problems, why others climatic conditions make direct beyond the interim stage. A number failed," broadcasting more feasible for of attempts, some going back 10 Majuro, says Pinho. years, have been made to form a press association. And it was the Sela disagreed, and heated past which came back to haunt the words were exchanged among many of No one has estimated how many journalists who gathered in an NBC the journalists gathered. The tele- conference room. issue, however, was deferred until people are actually viewing vision in the Marshalls. As many an interim president was elected. it was The as 10 or more people may watch a Eventually, dropped. A number of the on given night on one journalists group appeared willing to put aside program any had met earlier to the receiver. plan meeting, some differences for the sake of and according to a Post-Courier a sense of unity. reporter, it was their feeling that There is no question that it is major disagreements had been smoothed popular entertainment, and Pinho is over in the preliminary sessions. Kuamin was elected interim confident he will reach the 600- If they had been, cooperation quickly president and others were elected subscriber mark by December. As gave way to mistrust as personalities to be Vice-President, Secretary, Jon Anderson, Manager of KVZK-TV and organizational differences and Treasurer. An Executive Board, in American Samoa, once said to clashed. made up of appointed representatives me, 'The beauty of television is of the NBC, the Post-Courier the that you can relax at home, you can Office of Information (News and Bill even watch it stark naked, and not Kuanjjn, Press Secretary Publications divisions), the press have to worry about going out." to Prime Minister Michael Somare, secretaries for Members of Parlia- That seems to be the case in the opened the meeting. However, Luke Marshall Islands. Sela, of the Office of Information, (story continued page 9)
The journalists who debated the proposed press association were TEMPERS, divided as to how the organization ORGANTZATIONS CLASH should be structured, and what it should attempt to achieve. AT MEETING OF PNG JOURNALISTS (continued from page 8) It will take a great deal of ment, photographers and the ABC, Can a government press and leadership and organizational ability will represent the member organiza- private press goals be compatible? to make a Papua New Guinea journal- tions. ists association a reality. It will A sensitive issue the meeting also take a great deal of patience. There was a great deal of con- dealt with was the role of expatri- But the interest is there, and the cern about large organizations dom- ate journalists in the new journal- Papua New Guinea journalists I met inating the journalists association, ists association. PNG journalists seem to be seriously concerned with particularly the NBC and/or Post- (especially as the country approaches the development of journalism in Courier, as they have the largest its first anniversary of indepen- their country. reporting and editing staffs. dence), want to insure that expatri- ates primarily from Australia and If the very real differences New Zealand, do not dominate the Kuarnin, when he opened the can be overcome, the association Papua New Guinea press association. meeting, said, The spirit has could play an influential role in always been there. . . today we helping to define the proper role Some of the reporters suggested come together again. The question of the press in a transitional that expatriates be offered honor- is whether journalists in Papua society. ary membership while they work in New Guinea can turn the spirit into the country, while others offered reality. In a discussion paper presented full membership. Only a few sug- before the meeting, eight aims of gested that expatriates should be Manke, Former the journalists association were excluded entirely. Jim outlined. They included: The largest area of contention U - Informatu (lid, Promoting professionalism was that expatriates already main- in journalism; tain membership in their home Returns to Pacific country associations and that their - Safeguarding the interests allegiance would not be with a Jim Manke, formerly with the of the press; Papua New Guinea group. Public Affairs Office in the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, - Promoting public under- An Australian seconded to the returned to Island journalism at mid- of standing of the role NBC suggested that the PNG associa- year, and is working in news for the press; tion consider requiring all foreign KGMB-TV in Honolulu. Manke had been journalists working in Papua New working for U.S. Representative Patsy Encouraging dialogue and Guinea to "join" the press associa- Mink in Washington, after leaving the better understanding be- tion. This would, he said, provide Trust Territory. tween the pressman and his valuable revenue for the organiza- boss, and between the press tion. and the Government; Australian TV Marks The expatriate question was - referred to the executive council 20th Of Searching for and then Anniversaiy establish an IDENTITY for for discussion. the in New To press Papua Service Counny Guinea and Melanesia.' There seems to be a real Australia marked the 20th anni- interest among the journalists who versary of the introduction of tele- The press in Papua New Guinea attended the meeting in establishing vision in November. Television faces a particularly difficult a press association for Papua New broadcasts started in Sydney on Nov- problem--most of its members work Guinea. Like the country itself, ember 5, 1956, and in Melbourne on for the government. Indeed, the the press, both public and govern- November 19, with the Melbourne largest private organization of ment, is relatively young. Experi- Olympic Games being the star attrac- those present was the Post-Courier, ence is in short supply but talent tion. And full color television has and it was heavily outnumbered by and enthusiasm for the profession marked its first full year in Austra- the government press groups. are not. lia.
HAWAII FILM POTENTIAL INCREASES, FUTURE BRIGHT The following article is have drawn attention to a potential- And within the last few weeks condensed from a story by Robert ly growing economic force in the CinePic Hawaii completed construction Neff which appeared in the August Islands. of a 3,200-square-foot studio on 30, 1976, issue of Pacific Business Pacific Heights Drive. News. In July, three of the state's leading independent filmmakers-- Although lacking the kind of Hawaii's $2-3 million film pro- Mique Quenzer, Peter Dawson, and sophisticated technology that duction industry usually maintains Graham Driscoll--pooled their tal- attracts some Honolulu ad agencies a low profile, but a couple of re- ents into one company and moved to cent developments in the business new facilities on Ward Avenue. (story continued page 10)
Free-lance producer/director PROPOSAL URGES HAWAII FILM Bill Barron is one of the most serious proponents of such steps, having gone so far as to submit to COMMISSION TO ATTRACT the state government a proposal for the establishment of a Hawaii STUDIOS, TV TO ISLANDS State Production Commission. Article condensed from Pacific One conservative estimate in Barrons proposal, which he Business News August 30, 1976. 1974 put the value of all such says took more than a year to production at $9.2 million. draw a response from the state after, he submitted it in January 1975, Film production in Hawaii But some persons argue that proposes a 16-person commission isn't limited to commercials and Hawaii's potential as a motion pic- with a budget of about $500,000 a documentaries, of course. ture production center has barely year. been touched. They say establish- ment of a major movie studio or of In return for that tax expen- Portions of major-budget a state film commission, or both, diture, he projects, Hawaii could feature films occasionally are would help attract more film work expect an additional $1O-l2 million filmed here and episodes or entire here and boost the Islands' econ- in production work after three years series of television programs have omy in a clean and relatively un- and as much as $70 million within been produced here for many years. obtrusive way. five years.
Efficiency, Reliability High Points Of Local Movie Production Service Condensed from an article in Pacific Business News August 30, 1976. FIlM
While many have talked through the years of plans for a film pro- duction studio to attract and serve IN(continuedHAWAIfrom page 9) rentingIequipment from HPC. visiting film crews, one man has to Los Angeles-based producers, the taken concrete action. local filmmakers talk of their work An indication of what the fu- with pride and express cautious ture may portend for the industry be Though his enterprise may optimism about the future of their was the visit here several weeks ago small compared to the larger dreams industry in Hawaii. of two representatives of a leading of others, Stan Johnston's Movie New Zealand advertising agency to Production Services, Inc., offers a "When people say they can't arrange filming of a pantyhose com- unique and valuable service to pro- believe (a commercial) was made in mercial. ducers of commercials and feature Hawaii, we feel great," says Barnes films on assignment from the Main- Quenzer, who founded HPC but left Managing Director Paul land and Japan. about a year ago to set up show of A. N. White, Ltd., Advertising with Driscoll. of Auckland says Hawaii is the Johnston operates the Island's closest place to New Zealand to only mobile film production unit, One of Quenzer's and Driscolls film the "American big city feel," a $35,000 van equipped with seeming- better-known recent works is the besides offering "great efficiency ly everything a movie-maker would current series of Bank of Hawaii of production" and reliable climate. need in the way of power supply, (Bankoh) spots, each of which fo- He made his first commercial here lights, dollies, ladders, camera cuses on a particular area of last November for Bic pens, using mounts, communications equipment, Hawaii. Kauai's Waimea Canyon for a cowboys and even food for a hungry crew. and Indians scene. Referring to the Bankoh ads, "We're selling efficiency and Quenzer says, "I can't see how they Japanese agencies have been dependability," says Johnston, who could have been done by anyone but filming here increasingly in recent understandably argues that visiting locals. It grabs the local reality. years and members of the local film companies "should know better' Outsiders presume stereotypes." industry say there probably would than to attempt a production job be a great future for someone without local assistance. HPC chief Joe Loewenhardt says serving as a production coordinator the center last year did about for Japanese crews. He says he expects business to $750,000 in business and expects Consensus in the is grow this year, though he thinks to do more this year. industry that the future of film in Hawaii it would expand even more rapidly if the state followed the lead of He attributes the growth to lies less in commercials than in such states as Arizona and actively the willingness of advertisers to longer films, whether documentaries, promoted Hawaii as a great place spend more on production and to the public relations features, or to make movies. increasing number of national ad- training and motivational films. vertisers making local commercials. The economic benefits, he says, Expansion of the industry will would include jobs for local talent: Loewenhardt says he thinks be slow and there isn't a great rental of facilities, locations, other local production houses even- deal of room for new companies at hotels, and vehicles, and promotion tually will be forced to move into the moment, most of the filmmakers of the state in general. (video) tape, and could do so by agree. 10
4
"Job printing orders are sup- MIDDLE porting the newspaper," Vounis ad- FROM EAST TO PACIFIC mitted. That side of the business is doing very well, especially with MARTANAS VAR]IEFY ABED YOUNTS more politicians (on Saipan and other Trust Territory locations) relying more and more on posters, TALKS ABOUT LIFE, NEWSPAPERS leaflets, and bumper stickers. Abed E Younis "How to get local people to Presently, Vounis has three read a newspaper was the largest reporters and an editor working for problem," he recounts. To do this, him. position Co-publisher with wife Younis introduced a consumer column, Paz Castro Younis of the the most a police report, vital community Saipan, perhaps Marianas of all Variety (Saipan, statistics, "anything to get local cosmopolitan of the islands ort ern Marianas in the Trust has at times N'F- people to see their names in the Territory, Islands). paper." supported four local newspapers as well as the Pacific Daily News, date of birth April 29, 1926 Not only did he begin to sell which air freights almost 900 copies more newspapers, but letters-to-the- to the island each day. Saipanese place of birth Palestine (now the editor increased by 80%. By mid- appear to be enthusiastic newspaper state of Israel) 1973, circulation had risen to readers and Younis feels that he 1,000; by 1974 it increased to can double his circulation with a Can a graphic art designer 1,400; and, by late 1976, it had larger staff and more money invested born in Israel find happiness as a leveled off at 1,200. inthe weekly. newspaper publisher in the Pacific? If he is Abed Younis, he can and does. PAC FIC
Younis, a graduate of the Acad- emy of Arts in Jerusalem, was a MEDIA studio designer for children's programs with Israeli National Tele- vision. Prior to that, he taught art to children at the National PROFILES the people behind the news Museum in Haifa, and had an art studio where he did graphic art "The drop in circulation," The largest threats to the con- work. Younis says, "is due to more ex- tinued operation of the newspaper, penses." Higher paper costs, according to Vounis, are inroads to increased labor costs, and higher the limited Saipan readership In 1970, the Israeli National staff salaries have forced Younis (Saipan has a total population of Television sent him to Japan, among to cut back on the number of issues about 15,000 people) by non-local other countries, to study stage de- he prints. printed media. The Pacific Daily sign and television art work. News is his largest concern, and he While in Japan, Younis decided to testified strongly against the pro- start a new life and went to Guam. posal to grant the Gannett newspaper From there it was a short journey rights to distribute on Saipan. north to Saipan, where he settled PDN was granted the business in late 1971. permit in spite of Younis' concerns. He says he maintained then, and continues to do so that the With his born wife, Paz today, Saipan Marianas Castro Vounis, he control of government of the Northern gained the of local the Marianas Star in December, should encourage growth and other media. 1971. In March of 1972, Younis newspapers opened his Younis Art Studio which With the coming of United houses the production and editorial ABED E. YOU/S/IS States Commonwealth status for the offices of the renamed Marianas Northern Marianas islands, Vounis Variety. There has also been a steady feels that the pressure will increase increase in advertising over the on his newspaper. According to past two years. However, in spite Younis, Hawaiian-based investors I never intended to make of this increase, the Marianas were discussing the possibility of money out of the newspaper,' says Variety continues to lose money. establishing a magazine/newspaper Vounis. "It was partly self-inter- Over 50% of the newspaper's expenses operation on Saipan but dropped the est to learn more about journalism go for labor, and the paper is idea because it was not economically and also a way to become involved plagued by a high turn over rate. feasible. in the area." Material costs, primarily news- To insure the success of the prfnt, have risen dramatically and Marianas Variety Younis plans to With no previous newspaper Younis estimates one-third of his increase community-oriented articles, experience, Youni s began publishing expenses go for these items. Main- stress objective reporting, and the weekly Marianas Variety which tenance, utility costs, salaries of "better organize" the weekly. This in early 1977-Fä--d-area ership of staff and building rental make up less than 300. the remaining expenses. (continued page 12) 11
pub The Tohi Tala Niue has been pub- lished 24'tTietiTyear, and it was out of print for three months at one stage because of machinery breakdown and staffing problems.
,4. t According to the present editor of Tohi Tala Niue, the paper has lost t allTh'flenge, because of the new policy drawn up by the publishers and until such a time that they realize that a free press can contribute to Art Studio on the Islands. Beach Road on Saipan, Northern Marwna the development of the Island.
(continued from page 11) lems, Abed Vounis continues to will include tighter layout, more believe that he is performing a PICN NEEDS YOUR HELP! techni- art work and other improved necessary community service by increase cal matters, and a general publishing the Marianas Variety. Over the past year, the editors of in the "professional' approach He points with pride to the fact of PICN have attempted to broaden the newspaper. that the paper has missed only two the scope of the newsletter. Origi- issues since he took control of nal, in-depth articles have been In November, 1976, Younis the newspaper in 1971. He seems stressed and changes in format have hired a full-time editor and began to have every intention of cele- been instituted taking into account to concentrate his energy on general brating the 10th anniversary of the role and the frequency of pub- publishing responsibilities. The the newspaper in December, 1981. lication of the newsletter. Marianas Variety must continue to repay a $50,000 Economic Development Based on an interview with Abed E. Reaction to these changes, and Loan Fund loan that he used to Vounis in November, 1976, at the to the newsletter in general, seem purchase his present printing equip- Vounis Art Studio, Saipan, Mariana to be favorable. Yet if PICN is to ment. Editorial and technical staff Islands. continue to serve its readership, it turnover continues to be high. Floyd K. Takeuchi must rely on more reports from the Degree Grantee, East-West "field." But in spite of these prob- Communication Institute The editors urge readers to submit articles, and photographs if possible, to PICN for publication. Niue Govt Reasserts (thiol Over Local Press Articles can cover a wide range of subjects from personnel changes to With alarge percentage of the communi- The original mandate in setting special issues confronting communica- cation media in the Pacific in the hands up the Information Office was that tion organizations in the Pacific of official agencies, clashes between inde. the information services of Tohi Tala Islands. pendent-minded journalists and bureau. Niue and Radio Niue would oc'r is crats are bound to occur. This appears Ttion mid-way between the Govern- Because the newsletter posted the to have happened on Niue where the ment and the governed, responsible to to subscribers without charge, government recently reasserted its control both and yet the creature of neither. editors hope that readers, in the feel overthe island's media. According to the Editorial responsibility for the RadioSPirit of the Pacific Way, will following article, submittedfrom Niue, and Press was to be placed explicitly some obligation to the continued the move came about in part because of with the Information Officer. success of PICN. Submit all arti- the increasingly independentstands taken c1 es to: The Editor, East-West by TohiTalaNiue. Thefouryear'experiment' The Niue media is now back to Communication Institute, 1777 East- one it of an unrestricted official press on Niue square where originally startedwest Road, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, appears to have ended, at least for now, prior to the review of the media in USA. 1972 Ian This is the specialP!CN report. by Johnstone, former South Pacific Commission School Broadcasts Officer who was approached by the Niue PACIFIC ISLANDS On April 27, 1976 the Cabinet Government to make recommendations to COMMUNICATIONNEWSLETTER again reviewed the policy governing streamline the Governments media ser- Tohi Tala Niue, and it took away the vices. His recommendations gave the Publisher: ti1d"'edom it had enjoyed service some latitudes of freedom and Social Sciences &Linguistics Inst. after a period of under four previously, years Donald M. Topping, Director the Johnstone recommendations were Porteus Hall, University Hawaii dropped, and the Government took away of It was directed to publish state-the editorial discretion that was the Honolulu, Hawaii 96822 ments issued by Ministers of Govern- right of the Information Officer. ment and Departmental Heads. It had Editorial Staff: to to be an Information publication, and The Tohi Tala Niue continues Editor: Jim Richstad be because of it may include select letters to the pub1isH"irregu1ar1y, Editor: Takeuchi offset machine Assistant Floyd editor. It was also to be published a dilapidated printing of chemicals. The forthnightly because of the tight eco- and sometimes lack Address allcorrespondence to: also lost some of the noniic situation still prevalent on publication has The Editor, PICN the Island. One of the respect that it had commanded pre- major changes East-West Communication Institute was that Tohi Tala Niue was to be di- viously because in the words of one a vehicle for Gov- l777East-West Road rectly responsible to the Secretary reader: "It is now to Government and not to the Cabinet ernment propaganda and not a proper Honolulu, Hawaii 96822 as previous, newsletter." 12