30 Jul 2003

Merger of Pacific news organisations moves closer at PINA conference

3:27 pm on 30 July 2003

The formation of a single news organisation for the Pacific has moved a step closer.

Linda Skates filed this report from Apia where the region's journalists are meeting this week.

"A joint statement has been issued by the executives of the Pacific Island News Association, PINA, and the Pacific Islands Broadcasting Association, PIBA. It states that PINA and PIBA have agreed to a timetable to ensure their planned merger does progress. A complete assessment of the PIBA Secretariat including it's audited accounts and register of assets will be undertaken next month. It's understood PIBA has been dragging it's feet over the whole process, is why a set timeline has been introduced. PIBA will then be dissolved in September. A new secretariat will be located in Suva, and positions for it will be widely advertised. Both PIBA and PINA have now expressed confidence that the merger will go ahead quickly."