Page 7 - IB MAR 2019

We Say

for their response to the Rennell Island oil spill (see our story Rising above the noise, a few facts remain. The government
on page 19). has committed to hosting the 2023 Pacific Games which will
Hou says mining companies, shipping operators and their in- coincide with the next national general elections. The adminis-
surers are to blame for the spill. However Amangongo claims this tration of government funds to develop the constituencies is in
is but one of the many disasters that have befallen the country serious need of review and change. The tax-free salaries voted
because of bad political leadership. in by the previous house must be cancelled to ensure the trust
“Our leaders also just voted themselves a tax-free salary whilst of the people is restored. Immigration must be controlled with
our women, youth and children struggle everyday to survive the the influx of Asian and Bangladesh nationals flooding various
expense of daily livelihood,” she angrily says. industries with no check. The shortage of medical supplies in the
Interestingly this election, seven candidates are former Prime hospital and clinics around the country is still a serious risk to
Ministers. One of them, Gordon Darcy Lilo has decided to re-enter ordinary folk. Roads, bridges, schools and basic infrastructure
the race saying in this campaign: “We must be able to put our is still lacking on the ground.
house in order before we try and address external matters. That With young people between the ages 15 to 35 being close to
is the number one priority.” 67 per cent of the entire population of Solomon Islands, jobs are
Solomon Islands Transparency International is calling for needed to engage the young, or Solomon Islands sits on a time
Solomon Islanders to choose wisely. bomb again.

No to racism, intolerance, hate

Yes to positivity, inspiration

THE shooting of 50 Muslim workshippers at prayer in Christ-
church on 15 March has shocked the Pacific, which shares close
ties with New Zealand.
Muslims have shared what it must have been like to have
come under attack while at prayer. Australian journalist Waleed
Ali described it like this: “I know how quiet, how still, how
introspective those people would have been before they were
suddenly gunned down.”
It’s the same sort of stillness many of us find in our own
churches or when we are in nature.
But the terrorist attack is also a reminder that while there is a
time for stillness and reflection and mourning, this is also a time
when we need to raise our voices.
We can’t be complacent. While we are not immune from gun
violence in the Pacific, gun ownership is not widespread.
But we do wield other weapons: our words, our keyboards,
our mobile phones and our spending power.
Our social media streams can be places
of positivity and inspiration. From them
Weapons we can hear diverse opinions directly
of peace from communities about the issues that
matter to them. We can have robust and
productive debates and ask difficult ques-
tions. But they are also often full of racist and ethnically charged
posts, from diverse communities. We can be quick to spread lies
and falsehoods. As New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arden
and many other Pacific political, faith and community leaders
have urged, we can call out racism, intolerance and hate where
we see it.
And we have economic power. Several New Zealand companies
have suspended advertising with Facebook in protest of what they
see as the company’s inadequate response. Will Pacific companies This photo captures a nation in mourning led by its Prime Minister, Jacinda Arden.
follow suit? We don’t deny it’s a difficult decision—in a short Photo: Kirk Hargreaves/Christchurch City Council
period of time the media industry has become incredibly reliant sanctimonious, but we do think it is an opportunity for all of us,
on social media as a distribution platform. Similarly, businesses our governments, our families, our churches and our businesses,
have the opportunity to connect directly with their customers to reflect on what role we can play in ensuring this doesn’t hap-
around the world. pen in our own communities.
For now, Islands Business will discontinue our small invest-
ment in Facebook advertising. We hope this doesn’t appear as Both We Say were compiled with the oversight of the editor

Islands Business, March 2019 7