The Melanesian Media Freedom Forum has been developed to respond to increasing media repression in Melanesia and to future-proof press freedom, though trans-national regional co-operation and knowledge-sharing among Melanesian journalists, editors, publishers, press-freedom advocates and journalism scholars.

This forum will provide a safe space for regional news media leaders from Melanesian countries and territories.

It will enable them to collaboratively formulate strategies to counter increasing incidences of curtailment of media freedom and create pathways to enable mutual support in the face of existential threats to freedom of expression and communication.

During the concurrent academic conference, scholars with expertise in this area will present research in this area and join the forum to provide knowledge resources and support for this work.

The conveners of this knowledge-sharing program believe it is vital for leading regional journalists across the Melanesian region to meet face-to-face at a neutral ‘safe’ location outside the Melanesian political theatre, in order to set in place  robust digital communication networks that enable knowledge and resource sharing; documentation of threats and accountability; and the development of innovative trans-national regional solutions and responses to current and emerging threats and challenges.

To find out more or participate,  visit https://www.griffith.edu.au/learning-futures/community-internship/events-and-innovation/