Josephine Latu's Page

Please feel free to provide a short bio about yourself or the work of your organization (no more than 3 paragraphs)

Born and raised in Tonga with frequent visits to Fiji, where my mother is from. Received a BA in Political Science and French from the University of Hawaii, where I first learned to appreciate the value of indigenous identity and perspectives.

Returned to Tonga and worked for three years as a journalist and then a media and marketing rep for a Communications Company, while tutoring in the local branch of the University of the South Pacific. Witnessed some of the nation's biggest democractic and political developments in 2005 and 2006, including the November o6 riots.

Now in NZ doing an MA degree in Communications Studies and working as a research assistant and reporter for Pacific Media Watch, a monitor of media freedom and media developments in the Pacific. My research focusses on the democratic movement in Tonga and its relationship to media. I hope to learn more about organizing activist organizations and networks in the Pacific region.

Please list the countries and/or regions in which you (or your organization) have direct and significant expertise

Tonga
Fiji
Pacific Islands
New Zealand

What is your current country of residence (or location of your organization)?

New Zealand

What is your current job (and organization) and/or where and what field are you studying?

Pacific Media Centre, AUT University, Auckland New Zealand - MA in Communications Studies in progress

How many years professional experience do you have ?

3-5

What is your personal or organizational website?

http://www.pmc.aut.ac.nz

What is one of your favorite websites in the field? (please provide one answer per box)

http://pacific.scoop.co.nz

What is one of your favorite websites in the field? (please provide one answer per box)

http://www.rnzi.com

Which are your primary sectoral areas of expertise (or the primary sectoral areas of your organization) ?

Democratization, Development, Environment, Human Rights, Information and Communication Technology, Media

Which are your primary skills areas(or the primary skill areas of your organization)?

Communication, Research, Qualitative Skills