Fiji, May 25 -- The head of Journalism at the University of the South Pacific (USP) says media aid in the Pacific is shaped more by geopolitics and donor interests than long-term support for local journalism.

Dr Shailendra Bahadur Singh, Associate Professor in Pacific Journalism and head of USP Journalism, made the comments while reacting to concerns raised by Fijian Media Association (FMA) General Secretary, Stanley Simpson over Australian support for Pacific media.

"The political economy of media aid in the Pacific and the boomerang aid effect," Dr Singh said.

"Stanley's outburst is a reminder that aid is neither neutral, nor charitable, not for the sake of democracy alone. Even media aid comes with strings attached, regardless of wh...