Journalism USP: 1 September 1998
EDUCATION: OPEN LETTER TO SENATOR BOLE
This letter was hand delivered to Senator Filipe Bole after he made criticisms in the Senate about the University of the South Pacific journalism lecturers and work permits.
DAVID ROBIE
1 September 1998
Senator Filipe Bole
Dear Senator
I write out of concern over the misrepresentation and misinformation that has appeared in the news media in recent days. Both my colleague, Ingrid Leary, and I have worked extremely hard over the past six months to revitalise the Journalism Programme and establish it as the leading programme of its kind in the region.
We would like to put the record straight on several points that have been aired in the news media.
I do not and have never earned any income from my Internet website Asia-Pacific Network/Café Pacific. It was established at the University of Technology in Sydney in 1996 and I won an award for it as the Best Postgraduate Electronic Publishing Project. As a teacher in Internet publishing, I have continued to publish it as an educational and informational resource.
All our work is entirely journalism education-related and part of our normal duties as the Registrar, Ms Sarojini Pillay, has already pointed out in a public statement to the news media (attached).
Ms Leary was invited by the Fiji Journalism Institute to teach there part-time. This had the support of the University when she was appointed, and it also has my support as part of our efforts to ensure the Journalism Programme works closely with the news media. She is a specialist in news media law and her contribution is invaluable.
We believe that your Ministry has been given misinformation as part of what appears to be an orchestrated campaign to undermine and damage the Journalism Programme. Enclosed is some accurate information about our programme and we would be happy to meet with you to discuss journalism education in Fiji and the Pacific.
Sincerely
DAVID ROBIE
Minister for Information
Government Buildings
SUVA
Senior Lecturer and Journalism Coordinator
University of the South Pacific