‘THE NATION’ TO COVER UNTOLD GOVERNMENT STORIES

A lack of analysis and reportage of development in the mainstream media will now be covered by the Government’s new publication ‘The Nation’.

Launched last night, the Nation is a 12-page magazine, printed on glossy paper.

Speaking at the launch event, the Director of the Government Communications Unit, George Hermming said Solomon Islands made commendable progress towards achieving some of its development aspirations over the last ten years.

Mr Hermming also said challenges still remain – requiring serious and bold actions from the government and its stakeholders.

But he said these achievements and challenges were never properly analysed and reported in the mainstream media – hence the Government magazine.

“These achievements and challenges have never been properly analysed and reported in the mainstream media and that is why this magazine has been produced to provide the untold stories about our government. Out intension is to reach out to the un-reached in the remote parts of the provinces. I am pleased to announce that my team is currently working on a nation-wide distribution programme to get this magazine to the villages, schools and other strategic locations in our provinces and I hope that our management team will allocate more money for this exercise in our 2015 budget.”

SIBC News understands, the magazine will be available on a monthly basis at certain locations in Honiara and in provincial centers throughout the country, free of charge.

Meanwhile, the Acting Prime Minister Manasseh Maelanga said the magazine is a fulfillment of the government’s desire to keep its people informed of everything that happens in government.

Speaking to officially launch the magazine last night, he said many people in rural communities have been left out of the information equation.

“It is obvious that many of our people especially in rural communities continue to be left out of the information equation. Worst is information on what their government is doing. All they read and hear in the mainstream media is negative stories sometimes derived from manufactured lies and false impressions. However, we cannot blame the media for all this mess, it is the responsibility of the government to make available relevant and accurate information to the people. I believe that a well informed society is a stable and happy society.”