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SUVA, Fiji Islands (May 30, 2001 - Fiji Media Watch/PINA Nius Online)---The issue of self-censorship was one of the many ethical dilemmas discussed on the first day of a workshop run by Fiji Media Watch in Suva.

"We don't pull any punches. We were not about to censor the news," Fiji Times editor-in-chief Russell Hunter said of his paper's coverage of last year's Fiji coup.

"We wanted to cover the events as they happened, when they happened, without bias, without fear, and we like to think we came close. But I don't think we over achieved."

News editor at FM96 Virisila Buadromo told the 25 participants how her organization set up an editorial board to determine what could go to air during the 56 days the elected government was held hostage.

Sensitivity was needed in determining what should be broadcast, Ms. Buadromo said. This was because the station did not want to add to the fear and confusion already being experienced by many in the community at the...

PORT VILA, Vanuatu (May 30, 2001 – Radio Australia)---Former Vanuatu Prime Minister Donald Kalpokas says the government crisis in the Solomon Islands is a worrying example of ethnic tension that affects the rest of Melanesia.

He also says people at the Melanesian grassroots have trouble knowing what is happening in their Parliament, that leaders have lost touch.

Mr. Kalpokas --Vanuatu's Prime Minister for nearly two years until November 1999 -- told Radio Australia that Melanesia has to relate ideas of good governance to traditional forms of leadership.

"We are worried about the Solomons’ precedent because it portrays ethnic tension, ethnic in a way that one community or one island faces the other. And we really don't want that to happen in Vanuatu," he said.

For additional reports from Radio Australia, go to PACIFIC ISLANDS REPORT News/Information Links: Radio/TV News/Radio Australia.

SUVA, Fiji Islands (May 31, 2001 – Fiji’s Daily Post)---Stroke is fast becoming the biggest killer in Fiji.

The number of stroke cases admitted to the Colonial War Memorial Hospital has increased since the events of May 19 last year.

The President of Counterstroke Fiji, Dr. Jona Senilagakali, said yesterday that the political crisis has caused an increase in the number of stroke cases compared to the same period last year.

He said that the political crisis has caused a lot of suffering and pain to many people and families.

"The increase in the number of stroke cases in the 40 years age group and under is directly related to the social and economic hardships brought about by the political events," he said.

Figures obtained from the Ministry of Health reveals that there is a dramatic increase in the number of stroke cases.

In 1997, 686 stroke cases were reported, 552 in 1998, and 665 in 1999.

Although the Ministry has not compiled...

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (May 30, 2001 - NAUFM/PINA Nius Online)---Western province could pose a danger to the rest of Papua New Guinea as a result of the trading of fish, birds, other animals and plants from neighboring West Papua and Australia, quarantine officials say.

The National Agriculture and Quarantine Inspection Authority has received reports of the trading of flora and fauna and a quarantine officer has been dispatched to the area to investigate the situation.

Chief Veterinarian Illagi Puana says while treaties that allow some amount of traditional trade, the activities apparently going on in Western province appear illegal.

Puana said the authority is seeking the assistance of the Office of Environment and Conservation.

Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) Website: http://www.pinanius.org