A senior member of the Samoa Observer newsroom flew to Fiji on Saturday for a media training program which also includes covering the Pacific Islands Forum Leader summit.

Samoa Observer Sub Editor and Chief of Staff, Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T-Ah Tong is a successful applicant of the Media Masterclass program which will be run by the ABC International Development, on behalf of the Pacific Media Assistance Scheme (PACMAS), Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) and Pacific Islands Forum.

The training program will run from July 8–15 in Suva, Fiji and has attracted journalists from throughout the region. Samoa's Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata'afa and her delegation were on the same flight as Matai'a to attend the Pacific Island Forum Leader summit in Fiji. 

Fiame’s attendance at the summit will mark her first PIF Leaders summit as Prime Minister of Samoa.

The Media Masterclass coinciding with the Pacific Islands Forum is only fitting as it is the first time since 2019 the Pacific leaders are  meeting face-to-face since 2019. 

This means that the journalists attending the Media Masterclass will have the opportunity to interview Pacific island leaders who are meeting face-to-face for the first time since 2019. 

The objectives of the training include: expanding professional networks and news contacts, masterclass media training with experienced Pacific journalists, and one-on-one mentoring and peer-to-peer collaboration to help you create more exciting and in-depth coverage.

Pacific journalists with interest in reporting on regional affairs, connecting the global dots to the everyday lives of Pacific people were asked to submit applications for the Media Masterclass. 

The Media Masterclass at the 51st Forum Leaders is delivered by the Pacific Islands Forum, the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA), and the Pacific Media Assistance Scheme (PACMAS). PACMAS is an initiative of Australian Aid, supported by the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and delivered by ABC International Development. The Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) is the leading regional organisation representing the interests of media professionals in the Pacific region.