ILLUSTRATING TAIWAN's HELP TO RURAL COMMUNITIES IN THE SOLOMONS

 AN OBSERVATION -EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY

The saying, ‘Every picture tells a story,’ is a common saying in English and is often said when what really happened in a situation is clear because of the way someone or something looks.

In the context of the front page photographs displayed in the Solomon Star and in the Island Sun newspapers last week which displayed the work being done by an instructor at the Taiwan Technical School Mission in teaching Malaitan farmers cultivation farming methods the message couldn’t have been clearer

Giving practical ‘hands on help’ to people in the Solomon Islands rural communities is much needed, and I believe appreciated, and what better way to demonstrate tangible aid.

Surprisingly, the reporting and illustrations of the farming training carried more coverage in the local media than Taiwan’s latest payment of SBD 44.7 million to the Solomon Islands Government for various constituencies on 8 May 2018.

Yours sincerely

Frank Short

A REMINDER TO SI JOURNALISTS

SI Journalists reminded of their ‘watchdog’ role

Quoting the Solomon Star newspaper – 25 April 2018

“LOCAL journalists were once again being reminded of their ‘watchdog’ role, in keeping the government accountable in the fight against corruption.

“Head of the University of South Pacific (USP) Journalism School, Dr Shailendra Singh told the journalists, in an Anti-Corruption Reporting Workshop in Honiara, Monday.

“He said, the role of Journalists’ is important to keep people informed, primarily, to keep the government accountable.

“The priority is scrutinising the government,” said the regional media specialist, although he added that the private sector and civil society organisations are also prone to corruption.

“People need to be informed to be able to analyse government’s performance, because we have elections every 4-5 years.

“And, people need to be fairly informed, to be able to make a right choice,” he said.

“Dr Singh further explained that, if people are informed of the government’s conduct or policy, they can vote the government out or keep it in power should they choose.

“That is why it is so important that we (media) scrutinize both the government conduct and policy on a regular basis.”

Copyright :  Solomon Star

US WITHDRAWS FROM THE PARIS CLIMATE CHANGE AGREEMENT

KOVILOKO SOLAR POWER NEEDS

Honiara :  1 September 2015

Letter to the Editor of the Solomon Star Newspaper.

Since I wrote my letter to your newspaper last week in which I outlined the solar power needs of the Koviloko community in Isabel Province, I have received further news from the community on their desperate plight for solar lighting.

One correspondent told me the community of 3,000, comprising of 13 villages, can no longer afford to buy kerosene costing S$7,00 for a 300 ml bottle and that a good number in the hillside villages people have resorted to using a white substance from local nut trees to try to get some illumination in their homes.

I am led to understand that in the past the Australian and Japanese Governments have aided local projects in the community in respect of water development and some basic village infrastructure and 120 10 watt solar power units supplied by way of a Development Assistance Program.

As I understand the present situation the community is really desperate for help with more solar power units and it is very much hoped by bringing their plight to the attention of your readers some early assistance will be given them.

I have said before, but worth repeating, supplying solar panels are technically feasible options for electricity production in the rural areas of the country and have been proven cost effective in the Solomon Islands, where distances are high and population densities and per capita demand for energy is low.

More needs to be done to encourage renewable energy supplies to raise the standard of living and educational needs of all people living in the remote regions of the country.

Please help.