M'Balla-Ndi, Marie (2015) Navigating some shoals of Pacific journalism: how do resurgent oceanic epistemologies impact on journalism practice in liquid modern Vanuatu, Samoa and New Caledonia? In: Presentations from the 10th European Society for Oceanists 2015 Conference. From: 10th European Society for Oceanists 2015 Conference, 23-27 June 2015, Brussels, Belgium.

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Abstract

This paper investigates the impact of resurgent oceanic epistemologies on journalism practice in three South Pacific countries; namely Vanuatu, Samoa and New Caledonia. This research examines some developments of oceanic epistemologies in a liquid modern context and presents examples of how these epistemologies affect the work of local journalists.

This study uses a theoretical strategy that combines Bauman's concept of liquid modernity with resurgent oceanic epistemologies. The theoretical approach used in this study represents a unique contribution to knowledge: it is the first substantial attempt to use liquid modernity in the region when looking at journalism practice, and this study suggests considerable amendments to the concept of liquid modernity in order for it to be deployed in non-Western post-colonial contexts such as the Pacific Islands.

Three qualitative research techniques (participant observation, in-depth interviews and archival examination) were used to collect the data presented in this study. A Geertzian thick descriptive approach and thematic analysis were employed to explore and question the data in relation to the research questions.

The findings of this study show that it should not be assumed that journalism practice in the South Pacific is a mere reflection of journalism as we define and understand it in the West. The respondents' perceptions of journalism and of what defines and affects journalism practice in their countries deeply differ from common Western views of journalistic practices.

In the three sites under study, local and traditional values, beliefs and protocols affect journalists’ work on a daily basis, sometimes positively, sometimes negatively. The tensions between modern and traditional ways are mediated by ni-Vanuatu, Samoan and New Caledonian journalists in their practice on a daily basis. These tensions are either accommodated, negotiated or contested.

Item ID:	38617
Item Type:	Conference Item (Presentation)
Related URLs:	Organisation
Date Deposited:	01 Jul 2015 23:19
FoR Codes:	20 LANGUAGE, COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE > 2002 Cultural Studies > 200210 Pacific Cultural Studies @ 30% 20 LANGUAGE, COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE > 2002 Cultural Studies > 200211 Postcolonial Studies @ 20% 19 STUDIES IN CREATIVE ARTS AND WRITING > 1903 Journalism and Professional Writing > 190301 Journalism Studies @ 50%
SEO Codes:	95 CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING > 9502 Communication > 950201 Communication Across Languages and Culture @ 30% 95 CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING > 9502 Communication > 950204 The Media @ 50% 97 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 970120 Expanding Knowledge in Language, Communication and Culture @ 20%
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