RESEARCH INFORMATION SERVICES , ,1 EAST-WEST CENTER
I I HAWAI Oi I .). ("DI ommunIeatTon Jewkttor iiiePacific Islands News Association Suva, Fiji Social Sciences & Linguistics Institute Honolulu, Hawaii East-West Communication Institute Honolulu, Hawaii
March 1977 Vol. 7, No. 1 PNG JOURNALISM MUST DEFINE ROLE
By COLEMAN MONI Blame for this must be direct- But why is the press so timid Port Moresby ed toward unsatisfactory training now? Perhaps the press has "no given to young reporters. guts' to fight for its rights and Journalism can do a lot in any purposes thus hampering the profes- society, particularly during transi- The initial step for proper' sion from developing its character tional periods. In Papua New Guinea training began in 1974 when 10 and style. journalism has been contributing cadets from the Government Office tremendously toward national deve- of Information and the NBC spent a Within press organizations lopment, unity, and a sense of self year on basic journalism training there exist healthy relationships reliance. in New Zealand under the New Zea- between media executives and their land Government Aid Program to reporters. The National Broadcast- The profession, though, has yet Papua New Guinea. ing Commission (NBC) on two in- to identify its status and place in stances threatened to ban press a country where cultural differences Since then, a year-long diplo- coverage of student activities at and language barriers are immense. ma program has been established at the University of Papua New Guinea, Whether up and coming journalists the University of Papua New Guinea, and also coverage of meetings of will merely follow the footsteps of with Ross Stevens (a Kiwi journal- the Central Provincial Government. their predecessors--mainly foreign ist) administering. Now over 30 develop a true "Mela- young cadets have taken up the reporters--or turn to nesian" concept is hard to say. profession. (please page 9)
It was only in the last decade that the profession has had a few nationals enter it. Because of the Canham on the needy state of development and 'Spike' Pacific Press transition, most now hold executive By FLOYD TAKEUCHI people whom they cease to regard as positions in the public and private Assistant Editor people, and they sit at the type- media industry. writer and they write about entities Erwin Spike Canham, editor which are not human. I think it is The popular opinion that the emeritus of the Christian Science all right to be reminded that you press is nowhere near maturity is Monitor, thinks more people should are talking about people. a clear indication of the present see beauty in smaller packages. His (please turn to page 3) status of journalism in Papua New philosophy of life suits him well Guinea. in his new role as U.S. Resident Commissioner to the Government of Perhaps reporters devote too the Northern Mariana Islands. WHAT'S INSIDE much time and space on shallow re- porting of facts and information. During a recent wide-ranging However, one fact is obvious: signs interview held on Saipan, Canham, Editor's73, Notes 2 of critical and investigative re- spoke about his almost 50 years as porting have yet to appear in the a journalist for one of America's Guam Cable-TV S media. most respected newspapers, and he shared these thoughts about the New Radio Station 6 Bill Kuamin, interim president role and status of the press in of PNG Press Club, adds: "We seem Micronesia. PICN Forum 7 to report only on the surface of the issues, making the public be- "I respect the fact that noth- PEACESAT 8 lieve that the tip of an iceberg ing is anonymous in a small commu- is all that exists. nity, he says. One of the dangers Research Ethics 10 in metropolitan journalism is that I couldn't agree more. reporters write something about
__ Indian Jon Examines Third
k'r World' Press Issues The physical isolation of Pa- r:'rFL JIM RICHSTAD cific Island journalists can some- times lead to what might be termed This issue of PICN contains testing of television. How can "professional isolation." PICN three thoughtful views on the role television programs be shown,' tries to meet this issue by offering of the press in the Pacific Islands Smith asks, 'to an experimental a variety of articles and reviews --what it can do and should do in group in a society without televi- on the activities of journalists in the Pacific context. Two of the sion when it is possible that there other parts of the region. articles start on Page 1, by will be negative effects?" He then Coleman Moni in Port Moresby and proceeds to describe how the group Occasionally publications come an interview with Erwin "Spike he is involved with answered that to the attention of PICN which might Canham in Saipan. The third re- question. With the increasing sen- be of interest to readers. One such flective article (Page 7) is by sitivity in the Pacific toward re- publication is Communicator, a pro- Lasarusa Vusoniwailala, of Suva search of this nature the article fessional journal put out by the but now at the East-West Center. is an contribution to Indian Institute of Mass Communica- The three articles indicate a high important tion. concern and some uncertainty on the discussion. what the role of the press in the Edited by M.V. Desai, Communi- Pacific should be, and the essen- cator concentrates on the problems Two new of Third World tial uniqueness of the Pacific newspapers in Micro- journalists. The scene. PICN is happy to provide nesia came to the attention of majority of articles in each issue a forum for this kind of question- PICN over the past quarter. The cover some of the problems faced Carolines in South ing and testing of the Pacific Observer, published in by journalists Asia. But Islands press. Yap and edited by Ben Ruan, and these problems are brought on by a the Marshall Islands Journal, edi- similar colonial heritage, and Pa- Another important debate is ted by Justin de Brum, have been cific Island journalists operating carried on by Dan Smith of Majuro in operation since November of in a post-British press system will and John Bystrom, director of last year. be able to identify with most of PEACESAT in Honolulu, over the the issues raised in the journal. accomplishments and future of The Observer is a bi-monthly, PEACESAT. Smith is urging a re- and it is published primarily in Some of the articles which ap- organization of the system and a English with some Yapese. peared in a recent issue, for exam- strong move to operationalize it, ple, include, "Who is an Editor?", as opposed to the demonstration The Marshall Islands Journal "The Transnational Power Structure or experimental status it now has. the only indigenous language paper and International Information", Bystrom details the problems of in Micronesia, is published by the "From the Indian Perspective", and, such an approach, and outlines his Micronitor News and Printing Com- "Studies of Information Media and own plans for PEACESAT development pany, which also publishes the Cultural Institutions in USSR." weekly Micronesian Independent Smith also contributes another Subscriptions are ¬2 or US $5, article to this issue--on the ethi- We hope to carry more detailed by airmail. Checks or drafts should cal considerations involved in the accounts in the next issue of PICN. be made out to the Indian Institute of Mass Communication. The address is: IIMC Press, D 13 NOSE Part II, Reorganized Fiji Press Club New Delhi 110049, India. For Local Media PACIFIC ISLANDS NewBy USHASUNDARForum held in Suva recently confirmed the COMMUNICATION NEWSLETTER Suva honeymoon was over for this new orga- nization. Publisher The Fiji Press Club, the newly Social Sciences and Linguistics Inst. founded forum for Fiji journalists, Club president Mr. Raymond Moti Donald M. Topping, Director is exploring ways of improving train- said the club would take up issues Porteus Hall, University of Hawaii ing facilities for local cadet jour- which were significant in bringing Honolulu, Hawaii 96822 USA nalists. about a better deal for journalists working conditions and training. The Editorial Staff The club was formed last year at club would survey conditions and sal- Editor: Jim Riehstad a meeting in Suva of journalists who aries of journalist and organize Assistant Editor: Floyd Takeuchi wanted to revive the press club which training seminars for reporters. became defunct in 1972. Mr. Len Address all correspondence to: Usher, organizing director for the One of the major problems in the The Editor, PICN Pacific Islands News Association and past had been the fragmentation of East.West Communication Inst. former editor of Fiji Times, was made media in Fiji, the president noted in 1777 East.West Road the club's first patron. his annual report. Honolulu, Hawaii 96848 USA
The first annual general meeting (please turn to page 4)
confrontation on some issues. The late Kansas editor William Allen essential,' Canham White, a long-time friend of Can- courage says ham's, provides a particularly vivid example. (continued from page 1) got to be able to publish next Looking at the various news week." "William Allen White was not a- media now operating in Micronesia, A wise editor, according to bove criticizing things in the com- Canhani cites the Guam-based Pacific Canham, might feel that while so- munity," he says. "His classic Daily. News as being an excellent and-so may be a rascal in the admin- initial editorial was, "What's Wrong paper within its limitations. istration of a certain fund, he is With Kansas?" which was laying it nice to his children and his grand- on the line. The paper, part of the Ameri- mother and his auntie. can Gannett newspaper chain, has "a He is hopeful about the develop- "He came to be respected, and he could lively editor who writes a readable ment of a Pacific Islands press, and write pretty bluntly, but column and writes excellent edito- notes that "some of the most pros- he was a loveable person. He loved the and he loved the rials which are related to theareaY perous newspapers in the United community, States are small newspapers, includ- people, even when they were rascals. adds, that "I But he was blunt. He though, ing weekly newspapers. pretty wouldn't say that the reader gets a very adequate picture of the world, "He was more blunt about people but I think it is pretty good as not in Kansas than people in Kansas," newspapers go in terms of regional Canham says, however. coverage and general information. Canham looks with optimism to ' Media areas needing consider- the future, primarily because he be- able improvement in Canham's opin- . lieves that people have within them- ion are radio and television news selves the capacity to adapt and coverage. But with two television carry on the best from their mdi- systems presently operating on .'idual cultures. Saipan (a cable as well as a direct broadcasting system), and soon In the case of television, for three radio stations for an island 10 example, Canham says, "1 don't think of 14,000 people, Canham believes TV is going to greatly change many that the pressure of competition 7 attitudes.., attitudes toward work will raise the professional level and all. I think that there are ' of news broadcasting. 4. things more profound than entertain- ment media, and elements of that The difficulties of small is- sort. I see around me quite a lot --- t land press operations the lack . of things surviving, things being of advertising revenue and subscri- - _.'_.-. . adapted." --- the bers to name but two are quite Erwin Can/jam, editor emeritus of apparent to the former editor. In Christian Science Monitor (photo by There is in his approach to addition, the problem of extended the Honolulu Advertiser) journalism, as well as in his new administrative duties, a families in small communities in- The of these surprising qualities papers, of and humbleness. creases the pressure on a crusad- Canham adds, are characterized degree humility by One would a man of ing editor in the Pacific. "hard work thnv have to know how to normally expect Canham's stature to be content to do their job, they have to have the sit back and reap the rewards of his Citing examples of successful skills and the right balance be- professional success. small-town newspapers in the United tween ruthless investigative crusad- States, Canham says, "it is not im- ing, and a kind of constructive He has known most of the world possible to go quite a long way with community support. I don't think leaders in and the crusading journalism, and still re- this compromise needs to be morally politics arts for tam the respect of the the past 50 years. Canhams profes- community.,, inacceptable." sional But it calls for enormous courage." career has covered most of Smaller newspapers are not the the major events of the last half- The American tradition of horse only ones that feel these pressures, century. whipping the local editor, Canham says Canham. notes with a smile, "apparently had After receiving a Rhodes Schol- considerable prevalence." "Once a reporter of ours was arship to study at Oxford, Canham going to cover a coal strike in a joined the Boston-based Christian Often times the editor of a Pennsylvania community," he recounts. Science Monitor in 1925 and quickly small newspaper has to make hard "It was a big strike, it was national moved through the ranks. decisions about what to publish, news. And he went to the town, a and what not to publish. Canham fairly substantial city of ]50,000 From 1926 until 1928, he cov- says that in such situations, it people, and he called on the editor ered the League of Nations, and from would serve an editor well to re- and he said, 'What have you been 1930 to 1932 served as the Monitor's member the old proverb, "The best doing about the skrikeV Geneva correspondent. In 1932, he is the enemy of the good." was reassigned to be bureau chief of "And the editor said, "Oh no, I the Monitor's Washington office. Perhaps, Canham says, "the can't touch that, it's too hot to From 1939 to 1941 he was the paper's translation of that is that the handle. general news editor, after which he extreme position is the enemy of was made managing editor. Canhani the effective position. And if Even famous journalists are not you want to get results, you've immune from wanting to avoid direct (please turn to page 5)
conducted among television viewers Fellows in Michigan showed this. A lot of Jefferson viewers said they wanted more docu- mentaries and in-depth current af- Kiwi, Discuss Hawaii fairs programs. So lots of TV sta- Fijian Experiences tions around the Mid-West went to By IAN GILL New Zealand, people putter around in great expense to produce these but Honolulu Datsuns and 1100's but here universi- when they were screened the audience ty students and even high school stu- ratings dropped Perhaps it was Illusions were broken for two dents go around in fabulous cars like fashionable for people to say they Pacific journalists, in Honolulu, Ha- Mustangs, he said. wanted documentaries but when it waii, as Jefferson Fellows at the came to the crunch, they didn't." East West Center's Communication In- Kingston was also impressed by stitute. the warmth of people, particularly on Kingston was not impressed by campus. the radio stations in Hawaii. "There On the one hand, Adishwar Spike" are about 30 stations here and some Padarath, the first Fijian to be a- "People open converstions with of them I believe are just used as warded a Jefferson Fellowship, was you and offer friendship without being tax losses for stations based on surprised at the lack of evidence of introduced. Now I try and act as hostthe U.S. Mainland," he said. Island culture and tradition. On the to strangers on campus as a result," other hand, Peter Kingston, the sec- he said. "The public is being short- ond New Zealander to be given a Jef- changed because the serious sta- ferson award, was amazed at the For Padarath, the Jefferson Fel- tions that want to establish local State's material progress as mani- lowship is his fourth major scholar- identity are hampered because there fested by the profusion of luxury ship. In 1963-65, he studied elec- is only a certain number of adver- cars. trical engineering at the University tising dollars to go around and when of New South Wales on an Australian there are 30 stations, it's peanuts Padarath, 34, chief reporter of Commonwealth Scholarship. In 1967, for everyone. It's free enterprise the fUi Sun, said he had expected while working as a social welfare of- gone mad." more distinction between ethnic ficer for the Fiji government, he was groups and particularly a stronger sent to Britain where he studied soci- Nor is Kingston particularly representation of Hawaiian culture. ology at the London School of Econo- impressed with the standard of mics for six months. broadcasting on some stations. In Fiji, the main ethnic groups - Fijians, Indians and Chinese, for In 1970, Padarath joined the "On some stations, the news pro- instance - have distinct cultural Fiji Times as a reporter and two grams are repetitive, boring and traditions," he said. years later became the first Paci- technically not up to broadcast stan- fic Islander to win a Commonwealth dards. Many of the actuality drop- I've heard would not been "Language is a cause of this as Press Union Fellowship and spent ins have allowed on the air back home." Fijian, Hindi and English are the 41/2 months in Britain studying ad- main languages. In Hawaii that's no vanced journalism. On the way to The Jefferson are problem as practically everyone the UK, he was given a U.S. State Fellowships speaks English. But there is a much Department exchange students grant conducted annually by the Communi- heavier emphasis on Oriental culture and spent two weeks with the cation Institute, for mid-career Pacific than I had expected and not enough San Francisco Chronicle the Napa journalists from Asia, the and United States. For more in- evidence of Hawaiian culture except Register the Michigan Free Press, the for the obvious tourist attractions. and the New York Times. ThTJ975, formation on the program, write to Padarath joined the Fiji Sun and the Jefferson Fellows Coordinator, Another aspect which surprised was appointed its chief reporter Communication Institute, East-West Padarath, who is studying the pro- last year. Center, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, blems confronting journalists in a U.S.A. Deadline for 1978 applica- multi-racial society, was the lack Kingston joined the then New tion is August 1, 1977. of blacks at the East West Center. Zealand Broadcasting Corporation 11 years ago while he was in his Press Club "The center represents cultural final year at Victoria University, Fiji exchange between East and West and I where he graduated with a BA in Has Role for one would like to meet a cross- political science. He is the 'Watchdog' (continued from page 2) section of the West. But I'm not youngest of five rotating assis- "This often made us the meeting any black Americans, only tant editors on Radio New Zealand's targets whites." top news and current affairs pro- of ambitious politicians and public gram, "Report", which is produced figures who used us as scapegoats to New Zealand used to be dubbed four times daily. further their own ends," Mr. Moti the "motor museum of the world" be- said. "The club watchdog committee cause of the number of ancient cars Kingston's main project at the can be an effective means for defend- on its roads and for Kingston, 32, East West Center is to prepare a ing journalists from such scurrilous an assistant editor with Radio New format for finding out what kinds attacks." Zealand, the biggest eye-opener in of radio news and information pro- Hawaii was the great number of grams the public wants. Guest speakers who have addressed club "dreamy' cars. luncheons include Carey Grant, "The problem isn't helped by life member of Guam Press club; Sir "When I learned I was coming to the fact that sometimes the public Vijay R. Singh, Speaker of Fiji's Hawaii, I started watching TV movies doesn't really know what it wants," House of Representatives; James like "Hawaii Five-O' for the scenery he said. Wilworth, Jim magazine correspondent, and landmarks and I thought the cars and Brian Talboys, New Zealand's Dep- were lent by companies like Ford. In "An audience research project uty Prime Minister. 4
RESPECT FOR THE INDIVIDUAL READERS ESSENTIAL FOR VIGOROUS Guam Cable-TV Recovering From JOURNALISM, SAYS ERWiN CANHAM Outlook (continuedfrom page 3) Super Typhoon, Bright served in that position until 1945, when he was made editor of the Moni- tor. In 1964, he was appointedT- By FLOYD TAKEUCIJI the show is popular. Students are tor-in-chief and directed the news- Assistant Editor given a video tape recorder and are paper until his retirement in 1975. allowed to film news stories "on the street." Considered to be one of the foremost American editors, Canham Seven months after Super Ty- In addition to local news, a has received many international hon- phoon Pamela roared over Guam, Guam weekly consumer information program ors including the Order of the Brit- Cable-TVs operations are back to is aired as is a daily stock market ish Empire and the French Legion of about 85% of what they were in pre- report and analysis. The Agana Honor, among others. Pamela days. studio, Brislin reports, is kept quite busy filming local television In trying to understand 'Spike' "We expect to be back to our commercials, too. Canham, now living on a small Pacific former level of operation in three island far removed from the excite- to six months," says Tom Brislin, Discussing some of Guam Cable's ment of Washington and Boston he was manager of cablecasting. particular problems, Brislin notes accustomed to, one has to listen isolation from video tape suppliers carefully to what he says. In an interview in Honolulu, on the U.S. mainland can make life Brislin predicted that coverage of particularly difficult. "Sometimes," An indication of his approach the entire island will be complete he says, "I have to get up at 2 or 3 to life can be found in a comment by December 1978. At that time, in the morning to make a call to he makes about one of his policies 17,000 homes are expected to be California to find out where our as a newspaper editor. In a quiet served by Guam Cable-TV. The tele- tapes are." Having to order enter- voice, and with carefully chosen vision operation is now serving tainment tapes so far in advance also words, Canham says: 11,000 residences. causes problems when shows are unex- pectedly changed or dropped all to- "I had a precept which I used "The typhoon was probably good gether. "We have some communication to tell reporters on our staff --- for Guam Cable," Brislin says. 'We problems," he admits. don't write anything about anybody had many illegal connections, and which you wouldn't be willing to Pamela allowed auditors to put taps Another difficulty is the lack say to his face. This puts what one on our new lines.' The taps prevent of street names and house numbers writes into terms that don't destroy people from hooking up to the cable. outside of the greater Agana area. the other person's self-respect. Of All television cables were torn course, all of us sometimes say down by the typhoons 200-plus-mile- "People on Guam seem to have a things to peoples faces that get per-hour winds. particularly difficult time with pretty intemperate. But generally maps," Brislin says, "and we have to With a speaking, you can maintain a level large military popula- rely on maps to send our installers.' of civil discourse which, I think, tion on the island, a "nesting for electronics Guam Cable's affiliate, helps a great deal to preserve the ground" experts, Saipan Brislin it is difficult to Micronesian Cable-TV, seems to have possibility of vigorous journalism." says pre- vent people from hooking up to a beat the problem by placing numbers NEW CHILDREN'S MAGAZINE cable. This problem is especially on all telephone poles. When people acute in apartment buildings, want cable service, Brislin says, PUBLISHED BY THE FIJI FIRM reports Brislin. Other mass media they simply tell the station the facilities on Guam include two direct number of the telephone pole they LOTU PASIFIKA PUBLICATIONS broadcast television stations, KUAM live near. radio, and the Pacific Daily News. The Fiji publishing firm Lotu The American military services also The highly intense political Pasifika Publications will begin maintain their own radio and pub- situation on Guam has not posed any publishing The Pacific Islands lishing efforts. unusual problems for Guam Cable. "We Children's Magazine regularly. A have not experienced issue came out a few months any political pilot Other changes, unrelated to interference," he "and we have PIM that about 35,000 says, ago. reports Pamela, have also been taking place a good with about of the will be rapport just every- copies magazine at the cable station. Stephen Kelly, for Pacific-wide distribu- body." printed former Pacific Daily News reporter, tion. joined the station as news manager There is some criticism from Lotu Pasifika Publications, in February. the political sector, and Brislin which is owned by the Pacific Con- says that charges of a 'negative ference of Churches, has brought The one-hour local news pro- attitude" on the part of the pro s on lova S. Geita of Papua New gram now includes 5 minutes of sec- are sometimes true. But Brislin Guinea to be editor of the firm. ondary school news, produced and feels that many of these complaints According to PIN, Lotu Pasifika read by high school students them- are due to a lack of understanding Publications publisher Aisake selves. of the new role of journalism. Raratabu recently returned from the Oxford Polytechnic in England "This is one way of getting "The old image of a reporter where he attended a short publish- students interested in news," with a fifth in his back pocket is ing course. Brislin says, and he reports that (please turn to page 9) 5
Radio has become a common part of homes in Micronesia. People do not seem to be at ease unless re- KUS1, New Micronesian Station, ceivers are playing the latest music or broadcasting a public ser- Dttict vice announcement. This is espe- Broadcasting For latest cially true of the outer islands radio is the most common form By ELL4S fJi1Ay Ue- s Ac: Saion -laneger o- mass media entertainment. It Miero,zesüri BrcoJcaathg &-c'ice unfl the posticn r. ba i (ied was therefore a must that Kosrae permanently. ddtonai aersonnelpersonnel should have its own broadcast SAIPAN--Radio KUSI joined the may be hired b KOSrCC District. station. six other Trust Territory broadcast- KUSI fron. 10 a.m. to ing stations in January when the operates island of Kosrae became the seventh 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, administrative district of the Amer- and from noon to 10 p .w. on Sunday. Writer's Workshop ican-administered territory. The This schedule will continue until island of some 4,000 people was for- additional staff are hired and To Be Held Soon trained for on-the-air merly known as Kusaie. regular shifts. The training of KUSI staff In Papua New Guinea will be an important role for the Trust Territory Headquarters Broad- From Action January 1977 cast Division staff. A two-week writer's workshop is Programming material includes planned for May 1977 by the Toksave 'locally recorded Kosraean music, as na Buk Dipatmen (Information and well as music from other parts of Publishing Department) of the United Micronesia. U.S. Armed Forces Ra- Church of Papua New Guinea. dio Service recorded programs, United Nations-supplied shows, and radio programs prepared by the T.T. The workshop will focus on writ- materials for 10-17 A!1 Broadcast Division are also aired. ig girls years old. Dr. Marion Van Home of Inter- The isolation of the new dis- media, New York City, will conduct - S trict is one of the largest prob- the workshop, which is being planned lems facing the new broadcast sta- by Josie Runes, director of the de- tion. Located 550 kilometers from partment. the island of c-naOeA Kosrac has no airfield and is serviced only by field-trip SflIP from either Ponape A consultation will be held the or Majuro in the Marshall islands. week before the workshop to discuss Broadcast Technician Jesse Bunk, standing, An effort to schecu1a bi -weekly the literature needed by young girls. and a Kosraean test operator at KUSI (photo ship visits is being considered by EliasThomasJ the Trust Territory government. by informa- Presently, the island receives a For details and further Runes, P0 The 1,000-watt AM radio station ship either once or twice a month, tion write to Miss Josie is located on the smaller island of at best. Box 90, Rabaul, Papua New Guinea. Leleu, where the administrative cen- ter of the new district has been established. The location is con- sidered temporary by Trust Territory broadcasting officials, it is hoped that a larger f; ty will be provided soon. The sent station is 330 square feet. and includes a control studio, transmitter room and office space.
KUSI is assigned a frequency A of 1,500 kilocycles. It currently uses a 150-foot long wire suspended between two 90-foot telephone poles for an antenna. Purchase of a tower antenna is anticipated. i Two broadcast officers from WSZD radio on Ponape District, under which Kosrae was formerly ad- ministered, have been brought in to run KUSI. Ernie Aliksa and Ken Olter were both news reporters be- fore their transfer. Aliksa cov- ik COAAIAOI shown was later with Yard 1 ered Kusaiean news and Olter was LS! studio. tndioette equipment replaced an AG600B recorder and two 16 inch Gates attached to the Ponape Translation console. Also shown are Ampex tape Elias Thomas, Micronesian Service) Service. turntables. (photo by Broadcasting 6
"See it this way. With European contact we coveted the more efficient technology of West- PICN FORUM... ern civilization and without know- ing aspired after its culture. Awed by white technology we revered its people, and true to our empiri- Perspectives on Pacific Islands Communication cal logic we held their God and culture supreme. We still do today --and classroom schooling is one way we thought we can achieve whitewashing." By LASAR USA VUSONIWAILALA "Exactly, my friend, you'd be Honolulu happier today if you had not heard any outside information or read "But I don't want to be any- any foreign news. As they say, thing other than myself, and to be Professor Daniel Lerner held ignorance is bliss." a cartoonist.' a seminar on the shaping of tran- sitional societies" in February at the East-West Communication "It's all right for you edu- "And how did you become that? Institute. Lerner said that both cated elites. You travel here and Through education, my friend. You Rostows five of stages economic there and then advise us to control have been exposed to outside stim- and Lerners own growth paradigm our wants," was his sharp retort. uli to which your great-grandfather of modernization through urbaniza- was not subjected. These have tion and literacy were too simple elicited an otherwise latency in to account for trends in the deve- "I won't disagree with your you. But, unfortunately my friend, countries the loping during past sentiment, but honestly, many of the society in which you live is 15 years. Lerner out the pointed us curse education. The more you not yet ready for what global toward rule preponderance military learn the more you realize your communication has surfaced out in some countries developing and ignorance; the more the size of of you." analysed this as the result of problem is seen, the more helpless global communication, exposure to one becomes. Some of us wish we foreign stimuli eliciting univer- were still in the peaceful state "You mean, this place too sal responses, the psychic mobil- of innocence. Know something and small for me?" ity first raised in his book The the seed of discontent is sown. Passing of Traditional Society That is why the politically stable have giving rise to aspirations which, societies are either those with a "It means that you may if unfulfilled, accumulate into low level, or, conversely, the to learn to live in your social frustrations or regression. highest level of education. time. Anyway, not to worry, some people are destined for a life of frustrations by living ahead of One may therefore look at My friend was quiet for a mo- their time. And yet the history takeovers in ment, confused, "You say military developing appearing of human is marked by just countries as a form of that education is progress control then disruptive such individuals." Whether this resort is moral is of society?" I admitted my inabili- another matter. While the Pacific ty to answer his question with any Island nations as to confidence, and added that initial- have, yet, My aspiring cartoonist said he reach the third like all of developmental ly, early stages growth, was not sure whether to laugh or adolescent stage, there are signs that the there are traumas and cry. "Are you a Christian?" I asked. first two petals exist in most so- pains. "It can become a destabiliz- "Jesus lived ahead of his time. cieties. If and when the flowers er if social aspirations are lifted Some Romans saw him as a rebel, a a nation's will ever bloom depends on the beyond the realism of radical, and others laughed at his socio-economic of to climate each economic capacity satisfy idealism. His philosophy was so island Lerners words And to illustrate polity. wants." my revolutionary at the time they had echoed to my mind the frustrations point, I drew reference to our to kill him." of a restless high-school graduate Pacific Islands, "We have been I met at home in Fiji last year: educated to expect employment "But didn't he rise again?" a budding young artist, barely 20, and occupations that will bring who wanted to be nothing else but us status, where job stratifi- a cartoonist, in a community whose cation indicates the measures "Right on, brother. True newspapers were not ready for his of individual success. Fur- talent is divine. It never dies. particular brand of journalism. thermore, and as a colonial It only undergoes transformation, hangover, a person is eval- into new forms, the buds to be uated by his ability to speak watered by those who follow, to Over beers, I tried to ex- a foreign language." "I see," blossom into full bloom at a later plain to him that perhaps the edi- my cartoon friend obliged in a time when it is appreciated." tor or publisher thought cartoons bored manner, "that is why we for the local dailies to be prema- went to school?" ture, that they would sail above "Friend," my aspiring car- the heads of the local readers. toonist lifted his glass with shiny "Yes, to acquire knowledge, eyes, "whatever that means, here's and also as means of whitewashing." to Christ." 'But Time and Newsweek have great cartoons, and they're read here." "Meaning?" "Cheers!"
example, much of the important me- question: Why hasn't the PEACESAT By DANIEL C. SMITH search on data packet communication Experiment resulted in a regular service for Majuro has and is being done at UH in the the Trust Territory. ]Electrical Engineering Department. the The Honolulu Star Bulletin adi Any new and more useful teleconimu- PiNt. background. in PICN 19Th) PEACESAT is an international tonal reprinted (Dec. nications system in the Pacific - pro- gives what I feel is undeserved must have a Jerçe dipital capacity, act in towav communication. praise fur PLCt.UA1 ort in re- eeoc (or a iot of w:vot would be s in a Uozn rations are cent years, for data packots, PEACESAT as it coritro rn nod nipported locally. It is presently organized lacks tho is en oxOermcet not a service. I \flSfltC Before I 000tiflOS ability to do the engineering, eco- No U.S. federal funds have been are offered used for say that these comments nomic and legal-political analyses equipment or operations. in the spirit at constructive crit- It is backed by an international required to bring low-cost comniuni- icism necessary for research and consortium that includes the Trust cations systems to Oceania. development work. This is not at Territory and Hawaii. Second, the all a personal attack on John affairs of the U.S. Pacific are Bystrorn or other individuals. The Communication Institute heavily influenced by Federal gov- might, for example, be able to orga- ernment policy-makers and there PEACESAT was a remarkable nize the interdisciplinary group can be no communication develop- achievement five years ago. It is necessary to plan and promote a new ment without their concurrence. not now newsworthy simply because system. The lack of a strong inter- Third, the PEACESAT system is de- it has failed to grow and actively disciplinary research group is ex- signed to serve small populations, foster improved communication and actly the reason PEACESAT has been widely scattered as in the TTPI. telecommunication in Oceania. unable to land Federal money. The It is agreed that this is the only way that small islands of the Pa- cific will obtain first-class communications.
Finally, it is unlikely that the internal traffic of the U.S. PEACESAT EXCHANGE Pacific is sufficient to support a satellite system without outside help despite the low cost of small terminals. We have proposed an Contrary to the implication of fate of the National Library of extended experiment in which the the editorial, the ATS-l satellite Medicine funding for telecommunica- satellite coverage area would ex- used by PEACESAT was not about to tions experiments in Micronesia is tend from Hawaii to Tehran (145°W become space junk in 1969. It was proof of my point. to 55°E). This would lower per actively used by researchers all unit costs by increasing partici- over the one-third of the world in pation in the system. The U.S. If in Hawaii want its footprint. It is true, how- you people Pacific would need only to share to telecommunications ever, that PEACESAT had a much help improve in the cost of such a system. As for the small islands of the larger fraction of the available Pacif- experimental traffic developed, ic, act and start time in the early days. get your together investment capital could become to each other. us talking Help get interested and a future profitable In cases users of ATS-l we need many the services at reasonable service developed. have gone from experimental pro- prices. We need a group with enough jects to operational ones on other clout to produce a total reform of The PEACESAT system has not satellites. For example, in rough- telecommunications for the thin become a service for many reasons. ly the same time frame as the routes of the Pacific and not just A far longer period of experimenta- PEACESAT organization remote vil- a little tinkering. tion is needed. The State of Alas- lages in Alaska have gone from ex- ______kas move to a regular service is perimental use of the same ATS-l 1evidence of the social utility and spacecraft to ongoing use of a ByJOHN BYSTROM feasibility of the small-terminal commercial satellite for medical Director, FEACESAT system. Unfortunately for the U.S. and other communications. (Nor Pacific, the area is not served by thank the has Alaska neglected humanistic or editors for the a new commercial domestic satellite to to C. scientific exchanges of the sort opportunity respond Daniel company and is not a single govern- that PEACESAT is famous for.) Smiths letter. It allows a look ment jurisdiction as is Alaska. at internal communications in the Alaska has a boom economy, with its Alaska is using ground sta- U.S. Pacific and improved develop- land claim victories and new pipe- tions in the $50,000 class for the mental communications throughout lines and with it the resources for present system. The scattered is- the world. I am very grateful to communication development. lands and nations of the Pacific the writer of the Star-Bulletin could soon be using high-capacity editorial but will leave to him It is fair to say that U.S. ground stations in the $10,000 the very difficult task of de- policies have not encouraged deve- class if those in Hawaii interested fense. lopment in the U.S. Pacific. The in communication could get together Department of Interior has denied instead of operating as little is- Mr. Smith emphasized computer in planning for future communica- lands in Honolulu. The groups I interconnection and he comes with tions in the U.S. Pacific, although have in mind are PEACESAT, the high credentials. At Stanford Uni- it has special responsibilities for Electrical Engineering Department versity, he proposed a plan to con- the TTPI, American Samoa and Guam. at University of Hawaii, and the nect Pacific Islands to computer The Department of State has de- East-West Communication Institute. stored research materials at Stan- clared that U.S. policy limits sat- Each has much to contribute. For ford. His letter asks the basic (please turn to page 9) 8
'VARIETY' KEY TO TV SUCCESS "I don't think Guam can support a 24-hour news station," he says, Peacesat Forum (conriiiued from page "but it can support a radio station not applicable anymore, he says, which has better news more often. 'The contemporary journalist attempts He believes a "tightly edited Details Issues to write scholarly criticism of so- weekly" in a magazine format might cial issues, and sometimes politi- do well, although prohibitive print- Of Satellite clans don't understand this." ing costs would be the primary ob- System stacle. (continue ?from page 8) One of the reasons Brislin feels ell ite experiments to one year, and confident about the future is that commercial development is to be en- Guam Cable-TV, in his words, is of- couraged. fering a great deal of variety in its programming. Perhaps the most interesting I think it is unfair to assign example of Guam Cable-TV's "variety" responsibility for the inadequacies is a show aired on Chinese of communication in the U.S. Pacific - originally National TV on Taiwan. to the PEACESAT project. The $4200 "The Ten Commandments of Shao- PEACESAT terminal at Saipan, which Lin," brought in for Guam's Chinese was established through the initia- population, is quite popular. With tive of George Callison and Elias Guam Cable the video cas- Thomas, proved its worth by contin- TomBrislin(1),JimRichstad(r)inHOnOlulU supplying sette and paying for the air freight, uing operations after Typhoon Pamela Looking at the news media scene the kung-fu series is bringing a knocked out commercial communica- on Guam, Brislin does not think that little of Asia to the Pacific. And tions in the Western Pacific. Guam Cable-TV or the Pacific Daily knowing the past popularity of simi- News face any serious difficulties lar martial arts movies, the series in The immediate future. He sees is probably bringing more than just Mr. Smith suggests that plan- room for more vigorous radio journa- a little smile to the management of ning be placed in the hands of an lism. Guam Cable-TV. interdisciplinary group managed by the East-West Center's Communi- cation Institute. Journalism in PNG in Transitional Phase For myself, I think it unwise (continued from page 1) ing professional awareness among to separate communication planning These followed the stoning of PNG journalists, a press club has from the direct experience of ac- an NBC female journalist during been formed to establish a common tual users or from political au- student riots last year. The other identity and professionalism in the thorities who must live with the occurred when the Interim Premier field, because it is the collective consequences of any new system. of the Central Provincial Govern- efforts to better the image and For this reason we have suggested ment barred reporters and photog- quality of the profession that a new mission-oriented organiza- raphers from his Government's first counts (see December 1976 PICN). tion made up of indigenous peoples meeting. and organizations based in the communities to be served. Pressures on reporters to not do their jobs are great. Last Jan- uary a photographer with the Island Such a policy-making organi- Trader in Rabaul was told by a zation made up of development police officer not to take pictures bodies in TIPI, American Samoa, of two vehicles involved in a head- Guam and Hawaii and including re- on collision. Apparently one of presentatives from key Federal the vehicles was owned by the agencies (and possible foreign police force. When the photogra- entities) would contract for ex- pher questioned the officer con- pert services that might well in- cerned, he was told something would volve the East-West Center. It if happen he took pictures of the is essential that the ingredients accident. of technology, economics, social 'needs, national and international The incident a prompted police requirements, and telecommunica- into the officer's investigation tions policy are considered as statement in the alleged reported parts of a whole and in relation the The inci- press following day. COLEMAN MONI to the total geographic region. dent was also discussed at a recent meeting of the Rabaul Town Council. As a jouro colleague pointed a to out, "We've got long way go." One last comment on computers, Kuamin the says day-to-day Perhaps this is the common feeling the system has been used for com- of is often sub- operation pressmen among pressmen in this country. puter science seminars and techni- to unwarranted difficulties jected cal experiments involving princi- from stemming ignorance, suspicion pally Hawaii and New Zealand. The and undue on the of secrecy part Pressmen owe it to the general first step is to establish tele- some influential members in Govern- public and to themselves to at communication capability with ment as well as the sector. private least make an attempt to reform which to link computer terminals. and aware be of the realities. No Local institutions may then deter- As an indication of the grow- one else will do it. mine if they wish to participate.
The question of ethics and aca- showing a group of youngsters demic research is always a difficult "violent"programs, and then assess- Hawaii's Communication one to approach. It is made even ing the effects of the television more when human beings are fare. PICN contacteda member of difficult Future Examined the subjects of experiments. Over the team who lives in California and Closely the two years, a communication asked about the ethicalaspectsof past JA CKIE BO research team from the University of the Marshals television study. Dr. By WEN Honolulu California at San Francisco has been Randall Harrison sent us ashort involved in a telerisio,: study in and Daniel Smith, a member effe'ts response, More than 100 Hawaii residents in the Marshall Islands (see February of the team on Majuro, wrote living took a serious look into their com- 1975 PIcN). It was that a more detailed answer. FICN carries reported munication future over the next one aspect of the study involved Smith's response below. The Editors decade or two at a day-long confer- ence held January 17 in Honolulu, with the discussion ranging from A of Research Ethics the alternative kinds of telecommu- Question nication available to extra-terres- made trial communication and By DANIEL C. SMITH consider. The researchers have biorhythms. will make themselves available consider the the first Majuro and Many meeting to explain the research to legisla- step in developing a comprehensive tive committees, etc. It is ililpor- State policy on communication. One of the important issues tant to note that in our research in conse- Panelists in the communication concerning television research positive as well as negative technology discussion predicted that areas without TV is the ethical one. quences are being investigated. as we know them Here is how it was handled in the Thus there may be some guidance as newspapers today will in 15 to be Marshalls by a group (including the to what to do and not just what not disappear years, replaced with television-delivered author) whose principal investigator to do in the way of TV content. facsimile or video-casettes. The is Paul Ekman of the University of cost of telecommunication will de- California at San Francisco. The Thirdly, any effects are likely crease and the abilities of technol- phase of this research to be small. However, there will be experimental will increase, a wide has not been carried out in the continual monitoring of the research ogy opening up range of communication services and, Marshalls because other sites and with a commitment to terminate it if for the and inflation wiped out most of the bud- large negative effects are observed. policy planners, impor- tant choices on communication net before a satisfactory site was sys- researchers are tems. Citizens to know and available in the Marshalls. The Fourthly, the ability are to conduct or have conducted intelligently choose from among the survey and pretesting phases pledged follow-up necessary variety of communication services at being continued on a small scale. any appropriate to eliminate harmful consequences varying costs will increase in im- To restate the issue: How can of the experiments. portance. television programs be shown to an informed consent of A current the experimental group in a society Fifthly, program, Library without television when it is pos- the subjects and/or the parents of Demonstration Project, uses PEACESAT sible that there will be negative guardians of the subjects has been and teletype to link American Samoa, Hawaii, effects? We adopted the following obtained. In the Marshalls, the Micronesia, Guam, New Cale- conditions to minimize negative school officials' judgments in these donia and Fiji in an information matters are followed the resource consequences. by parents. network. By the year 2000, (The school is considered the guard- it was felt that Hawaii would be Firstly, the experiments were ian in these matters.) Approval has linked to global information sys- considered for a society which been obtained from the appropriate tems. Hawaii's future as an infor- through its established institu- legislative and executive bodies. mation clearinghouse for the Pacif- tions had approved the introduction ic was questioned several times. of standard American television In my own mind I would have fare. A license had already been little difficulty doing research on Despite great advances in in- issued to a cable company in the social learning from television in creasing the flow and accessibility case of the Marshalls. societies considering but not com- of information, it was felt that mitted to the introduction of TV Hawaii did not really have a good Secondly, there existed the provided that the other conditions idea of what comes in and out of mechanism for a program advisory were met. It would be very appro- the state, or flows across it, and board that could consider the re- priate for a country considering what the costs and needs for such sults of the research. In fact the introduction of TV to conduct information are. It was also the results will be readily avail- experiments before a decision is stressed that delivery is the key able for leaders and the public to made to go ahead. to an information policy--by what- ever means. The system fails when HONOLULU MAGAZINE UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT the user cannot get what is needed.
Panelists discussing develop- Honolulu Magazine ownership Hill Press of Ft. Atkinson, Wiscon- ment of communication skills fore- changed hands in February when the sin. cast that the production and utili- Tongg Publishing Company, a Hawaiian Tongg president David Benz de- zation of materials or energy firm, sold the magazine for an un- dined to comment on the sale. How- sources would be more intimately disclosed sum to a U.S. mainland ever, it was announced in March that connected to human communication. publishing company. According to Pat Loui, a former Communication In- A panelist predicted that the the Honolulu Advertiser, Tongg will stitute degree scholar, would assu- Kissinger-era 'Grand Statesman' continue to print the monthly maga- me editorial responsibility of the policy would soon change to a more zine under an agreement with Johnson Hawaii monthly. (please turn to page 12) 10
a .
TRUST TERRITORY CONSIDERING SECOND PEA CESA T TERMINAL
Consideration is being given to establishing another PEACESAT SATELLITE ROUND UP terminal in the Trust Territory. An informative review of PEACESAT Project activities in Micronesia, published in a recent issue of Highlights, said that the location PEACESAT (Pan Pacific Education ment in multi-media applications, of the Community College of Micro- and Communication Experiments by Sat- nesia, and the new Ponape Referral ellite) has activated two additional With the addition of Santa Hospital make "a PEACESAT terminal terminals in the Pacific Basin net- Cruz and American Samoa to the in Ponape desirable at the present work. Joining the system in Decem- PEACESAT system, the total number time. ber 1976 was the Center for South of terminals is now 16. As of Pacific Studies at the University of February 1, 1977, they are: George Callison, PEACESAT's California, Santa Cruz. Saipanterminal manager, wrote the review. He also said that the One of the first activities of choice of Ponape as the future - the Santa Cruz terminal is an ex- Honolulu, Hawaii University capital of Micronesia is another in which Pacific Basin of Hawaii; Wellington, New Zealand reason for another termi- periment high - building school students in Wellington Polytechnic; Suva, nal, especially if the future participate - gov- Dialogues. One loca- Fiji University of the South ernment wants to remain in the Science-writing - tion prepares a 3-5 minute dialogue Pacific; Kingdom of Tonga USP PEACESAT network. Center; Lae, New Guinea - which is followed by an international Papua round-table discussion soliciting Papua New Guinea University of By mid-April, the Trust Ter- comments from all locations. Technology; Port Moresby, Papua ritory will have participated in National Broadcasting Commission; the PEACESAT experiment for four - In January 1977 a terminal was Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands years. Callison stressed that reactivated in Pago Pago, American Trust Territory of the Pacific 'had it not been for the vision Samoa. The new location for the Islands; Noumea, New Caledonia - and enthusiasm of Broadcast Divi- terminal is the American Samoa Com- South Pacific Commission; Raroton- sion and the Department of Public - munity College. ga, Cook Islands Cook Islands Affairs in 1972 it is quite like- Government; Niue Island - USP ly this satellite communication A series of discussions on Eng- Centre; Honiara, Solomon Islands system might never have been made - lish as a Second curriculum USP Centre; Tarawa, Gilbert Is- available to the Trust Territory. Language - methods and testing procedures is a- lands USP Centre; Vila, New Other departments rejected the - the early applications made of Hebrides Kawenu Training Col- idea at the time because, among mong - PEACESAT by the American Samoa Edu- lege; Apia, Western Samoa Edu- other reasons, of its experimental cation cation community. Department; American Samoa nature." - American Samoa Community Col- The Trust Additional planned uses of the lege; and Santa Cruz, California Territory Depart- terminal include continuing educa- - Center for Pacific Studies, ments of Education and Health tion for teachers, nursing education, University of California, Santa Services have been the most active users of the satellite physician consulting, and an experi- Cruz. system. Other users have included the High AMERICAN FIELD SER VICE! HA WAIl ACTIVE PEAGESAT USER Commissioner's Office, the Office of the Attorney General, and the Editor's note: Hundreds of have been among the topics discussed divisions of Agriculture, Marine groups and individuals have parti- The first Short Term Exchange in Resources, Lands and Surveys, Labor, cipated in PEA CESA Texchanges over Alaska was a spontaneous outgrowth Community Development, Broadcast, the past severalyears. The fol- of an idea generated during one pro- Public Information, and the Con- io wing article, from the February gram when both Juneau and Fairbanks gress of Micronesia. 1977 Ho 'olauna the American Field were participating. Service/Hawaii newsletter, describes Callison said the future of one such exchange: PAFSPECS (Pacific/AFS PEACESAT PEACESAT looks bright "on all Since 1971, American Field Ser- Educational Communication System) is counts." He cited the life span of vice/Hawaii has had the only regular, the name for this unique program. ATS-l, which recently celebrated international satellite communication Last summer a presentation was given its 10th anniversary of service. exchange in AFS anywhere. Thanks to at the World Educator's Conference An upcoming series with American the ATS-1 satellite as administered which met in Honolulu. Included was Samoa utilizing teletype facsimile, by the PEACESAT program at the Uni- a live PAFSPECS exchange featuring wired blackboard, slow-scan televi- versity of Hawaii, AFS participants the newest mode of the program called sion, and possibly computer assess- in Hawaii and the Pacific basin have Satelvision: duplicated slide sets ing shows that the system is alive gathered around their respective shown simultaneously locally while and well. microphones and listened and "watched' the commentary is carried by PEACE- AFS events from other places. Ex- SAT. The recorded narration is kept The possibility of a new ter- change of AFS chapter and club news, with the slides as a permanent AV minal on Ponape, Callison said, fund-raising ideas, student exchange program resource. That time the could only benefit Micronesia. experiences, a foreign student coun- program featured two New Zealand "There would be nothing to lose seling workshop, and even a discussion students' AFS experiences ... one and everything to gain by doing of the AFS World Congress resolutions to the USA and the other to Malaysia. so. 11 .-
Saipan Broadcasting Station to Preach Gospel' The a A Christian broadcasting ser- hopes to expand FEBC transmitter Variety story quoted FEBC which said the vice began construction of transmit- facilities to allow the station to publication purpose of the ter and studio facilities on Saipan broadcast to the People's Republic broadcasting operation is to "provide Gospel sta- in January. Far East Broadcasting of China and other Asian countries broadcasting tions... in order that the of Co.,Inc, (FEBC), a California based FEBC has 26 other stations in the Gospel Christ may be more missionary group, will aim its ini- Philippines, South Korea, the fully preached and established in the world." tial radio services to the Marianas Seychelles, Indonesia and the the early stages of its oper- United States. Three stations on during There some in ation. Okinawa closed recently, and the was speculation 1975, when FEBC first the equipment from those stations will approached According to a report in the be used on Saipan. Trust Territory about establishing Marianas Variety, Burd Brunemeier, a station, that FEBC's Protestant FEBC's Saipan director, said a bal- message on predominantly Catholic ance between religious and nonreli- The station hopes to air clas- Saipan might cause difficulties. gious programming is the aim of the sical music, local and international Brunemeier told the Variety, "We're new station. FEBC hopes to be on news, and educational programs, and not coming to rock the boat...caus- the air by June 1977. have some of them broadcast in ing a big battle between Protestants Chamorro, Carolinian and possibly and Catholics." He added that FEBC Brunemeier also said that he Japanese. has operated in the Phillipines for 29 years. Northern Marianas Legislature When FEBC begins broadcasting, it will join Saipan's two other ra- TV Bill dio stations. KJQR, the government Considering Censorship station, was the first, beginning Concern over the possible ef- The concern of the legislators operations in 1964. WSZE, a private fects of television have led eight is clearly the amount of televised AM/FM station broadcasting music members of the Northern Marianas violence they believe is now being tapes sent from the U.S. mainland, Legislature to introduce a bill in shown. The bill says, "It is be- started in 1976. the current session which calls for lieved that such a commission could prior censorship of television pro- contribute substantially to the re- COMM UNJC4 TION OPTIONS FOR HA WAH grams. duction of juvenile delinquency and crime that exist on Saipan." CONSIDERED AT HONOLULU MEETING The bill would empower seven Opposition to the bill is being censors to preview all programs be- led primarily by the television sta- (continued from page 10) fore they are shown, make recommen- tions, WSZE-TV and Saipan's Cable- interpersonal, intercultural com- dations to the two Saipan televi- TV. They contend that since the munication style. In the public sion stations concerning program- Northern Marianas has opted to join interest discussion, communication/ ming, and prohibit stations from the United States as a Commonwealth, transportation trade-offs for parts airing certain shows if the stations American laws such as the First of Hawaii were advocated to de- fail to comply with the reconmienda- Amendment should also be applicable. crease traffic congestion and tele- tions of the censors. communication competition rather There are no official censors than a regulated monopoly was urged The powers of the censors would presently in either the Trust Tern- once basic equipment has been be such that, 'Any television sta- tory or the Territory of Guam. A installed. tion that refuses to comply with the similar attempt to introduce a cine- decision (of the censors) shall not ma censorship panel on Guam two years One panelist took the position be allowed to continue to operate ago was voted down by the Guam Legis- of an average citizen viewing the in the Northern Maniana Islands." lature. increasing complexity of communica- tion systems and asked whether com- puter information centers could be- Fiji government to acquire Cable & Wireless come the controlling agent between more people and machines in the The Fiji government will ac- service station. future. quire a 51% interest in the British Government-owned Cable and Wireless. Fintel will be a commercial Another problem with the in- According to a report in PIM, Fiji operation, Fiji Minister for Commu- crease in availability of complex International Telecommunications, nications Jonati Mavoa said. Profits telecommunication's equipment con- Ltd. (Fintel) will take over the will be used to finance development cerned the telephone company's pro- C&W operations soon but it will con- projects. The PIM article said that grams to train equipment installers. tinue to operate out of the present the Fiji government increased inter- By the time equipment installers are C&W building in Suva. national telecommunications rates by taught how to interconnect one kind PIM reports that the takeover 25% as of August, 1976. Another of new equipment into the larger will cost Fiji F$3.5 million, about increase is expected this year. C&W communication system, changes are $1 million less than originally rates have remained stable for the made in the components which make estimated. An initial 10% of stock past 15 years. one kind obsolete soon after instal- will be purchased soon, and the bal- The Fiji government move may lation. Buyers of new communication ance is to be purchased by 1982. signify an important development in systems are caught in the same bind Fintel will retain C&W staff and the attitude of the government to- --technological advance can make management. C&W will retain owner- ward communication and regional con- just-purchased equipment out-of- ship of its repair shops and ship tacts. date.