BBC media strengthening partnership project launched in Honiara

The first ever BBC Media Action ‘Media Strengthening in Solomon Islands Project’ has launched in Honiara this week, a landmark engagement for the BBC in the Pacific. The project will support media and journalists across the Solomon Islands to continue the development of high-quality media for the people of the Solomon Islands.

Media training sessions started on Monday led by BBC’s Senior Media Trainer Naomi Goldsmith, for journalists, programme producers and presenters at the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) and will be conducted for members of the Media Association of Solomon Islands (MASI) later in the month.

Speaking to launch this engagement, Chief Executive Officer of SIBC, Johnson Honimae said:

We welcome the BBC back at SIBC and of to support the local media at large. The partnership will strengthen our media and benefit both our nations. The project culminated from discussions between the British High Commission in the Solomon Islands and Nauru, BBC Media Action and SIBC earlier this year.

British High Commissioner to the Solomon Islands and Nauru, His Excellency Thomas Coward said:

I am pleased we are rekindling this partnership between the SIBC and BBC. This is a busy time in the Solomon Islands, including as we move toward the 2023 Pacific Games. Quality media is important to engage the people of the Solomon Islands and keep them informed. There are great journalists in the Solomon Islands and we are grateful to work with them in partnership.

Country Director for BBC Media Action in Cambodia, Gemma Hayman said:

Whilst the BBC has worked with SIBC before, this short pilot is BBC Media Action’s first project in the Pacific. We are thrilled to be working with SIBC and MASI and hope that this targeted training will be useful, alongside insights that will be generated from research we are undertaking on the media landscape and audience habits in the Solomon Islands.

BBC Media Action is the BBC’s international charity. Through it, the BBC works to support a world where informed and empowered people live in healthy, resilient and inclusive communities. The UK Government funds the project.