The editor of the Kele'a, Tavake Fusimalohi was presented with an award by the Media Association of the Solomon Islands (MASI), last week.

Matai 'Akau'ola, a broadcaster with Radio Fiji who was in Nuku'alofa for the Pacific Islands Leaders Forum Meeting said that MASI asked him to deliver the award to Tavake while he was in Tonga.

The last recipient of the MASI media award was John Lamani, the Chief Editor of the Solomon Star and the president of MASI, who received the award in 2005.

The MASI media award was announced during the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) biannual convention held in Honiara, Solomon Islands, in May.

Not PINA award

Matai, a member of the former board of PINA, and the only one who was re-elected to the current board of PINA, wanted to clarify that while it was publicised that a PINA media freedom award was awarded to Tavake during the PINA convention - it was not actually the PINA Media Freedom Award, but was, in fact, the MASI media award that he delivered to Tavake last week.

The MASI award is usually presented to a Solomon Islander who has made an outstanding contribution to the development of the media in their country, but this year they decided to go regional and awarded it to Tavake Fusimalohi in recognition of his work in the media, a former President of PINA, a former General Manager of the Tonga Broadcasting Commission TBC, and now the editor of the Kele'a.