By Halitesh Datt, Fiji TV
5 July, 2013, Nadi, Fiji - As high level climate change and weather related talks continue in Nadi this week, the role of the media has also been highlighted.
A media team consisting of journalist from and around the region are working hard to disseminate information of what is happening behind the closed doors, to the region.
This team was brought to Nadi by the Samoa based Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme.
Our reporter Halitesh Datt who is also part of this team spoke to a few journalist on how the media is tackling the issue of climate change.
For the past seven years Bill Jaynes has been the managing editor for Kashelelei Press in the Federate States of Micronesia.
It was only until recently that he realised the important role that he can play in relaying climate change stories to the public.
Bill Jaynes- Editor- The Kashelelie Press, FSM
This is the media team brought together by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme.
Sini Latu, a Tongan journalist admits that climate change related stories are given quite a low priority by her newsroom.
Sini Latu, Tonga Broadcasting Commission
However the Secretariat is working hard to change this.
Through its media outreach program, SPREP has manage to fill some of these gaps in climate reporting in the region.
Nanette Woonton, Media and Public Relations Officer, SPREP
The Secretariat has also done a baseline survey to find out the level of understanding of Pacific reporters on climate change.
The survey revealed that there is a need to continue with such media outreach prgrammes.
Nanette Woonton, Media and Public Relations Officer, SPREP
As many more such meetings to come in future, these journalists are tasked with reporting on informing the public about climate change.
