Other countries interested in printing here
On the move ... Fiji Sun team who took part in the Fijian Media Association’s World Press Freedom Day health walk in Suva on Saturday. Pacnews/PINA rated the Fiji Sun the best organised of those taking part. Photo: RAMA
MARAIA VULA
SUVA
A multimillion investment in developing the Fiji Sun is attracting regional interest in printing newspapers here. The upgrade has also taken another step with the arrival of more equipment.
The Fiji Sun has now become the
first newspaper in Fiji to bring in
what is called an electronic plate
bender. These plates are what go on the press to print the paper. This state-of-the-art NELA equipment is designed to improve colour registration as the Fiji Sun leads the region in the use of full colour. NELA is the leading supplier of register systems for newspapers worldwide.
The equipment basically replaces manual equipment previously used for preparing printing plates with much more precise electronic equipment.
Confidence in Fiji
Fiji Sun Publisher/CEO Peter Lomas said: “Our owners are showing their full confidence in both Fiji and the Fiji Sun by investing strongly in our development.
“The first stage was setting up a new modern Production Centre on a site immediately at the back of our original Fiji Sun building in Walu Bay. Same time we replaced the old press we had.
“The Production Centre is nearing completion. The second stage will follow. It is the redevelopment and modernisation of our original building.
“This includes a modern open plan newsroom on the top floor. Our journalists will work there on both the daily newspaper and an improved digital presence.
“Same time the bottom floor, where our old press used to be, is being developed into smart offices. These are for our Advertising, Circulation, Marketing and Finance teams.”
Mr Lomas said the days when one newspaper, the Fiji Times, totally dominated the Fijian newspaper scene are over. And this is good for Fiji.
He said those who are now supporting the Fiji Sun realise the importance of this.
He added: “This rather than the years of arrogant biased and manipulative dominance the Fiji Times had under foreign ownership after the original Fiji Sun was closed in the 1987 coups.”
Mr Lomas said as part of the current production upgrade the Fiji Sun has already been:
“Our developments are already bringing regional business to Fiji as well,” he added. “Last week we started printing the Vanuatu Times newspaper from Port Vila.
“This is now printed at Walu Bay on Wednesdays. It is delivered to Nadi overnight to be uplifted by Air Vanuatu for immediate sale in Port Vila.
“We have also had interest in printing here from newspaper publishers elsewhere in the region as they see the capacity we now have.
“We are already publishing other local newspapers for their owners. A good example is the China Mail, which is a growing newspaper. It has a very strong readership in the Mandarin speaking community.”
Same time, Mr Lomas said, the Fiji Sun is investing in developing its staff.
He said: “We send production department staff to New Zealand every year to attend training sessions and see newspaper operations down there.
“We actually have two of our printers going to Dunedin soon. They will attend a newspaper production conference and observe the production operations at the Otago Daily Times press centre.
“Human resource development across all our departments is a continuing strong priority for our owners and our management team. We’re investing in both equipment – and people.”
Feedback: maraia.vula@fijisun.com.fj