Media Brief - 1st July 2002

INTRODUCTION
Leaders and representatives of 78 countries from the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) region converge at Sheraton Fiji for the 3rd ACP Summit of ACP Heads of State and Government, from July 16th – 19th, 2002.

The ACP group is an important international forum for member countries to voice their combined concerns and requests for the purposes of developmental progress.

This media guideline, sets out to assist and inform of the services available to you as the media, throughout the duration of the Summit.

THE MEDIA
As host, the Fiji Islands wants to ensure that the ACP Leaders Summit receives the widest possible publicity.

Like most international forums, the media will play an important role in providing the necessary publicity through the press and electronic media.

ACCREDITATION
It is standard procedure that accreditation is provided for large conventions such as the ACP. For facilitation purposes, the Fiji Government’s Ministry of Information requires that all accreditation is processed through its office Media Accreditation Forms are available on the Official ACP Summit website: www.acp.fiji.gov.f

This form needs to be completed in addition to a security vetting form for access to the meeting. These are outlined below.

MEDIA PASSES
Passes for the media are provided via the Media Accreditation Form and a Police Vetting Form. Individual representatives of media organisations are required to complete both forms and have them forwarded to the Media Secretariat at the Ministry of Information.

The pass will allow you as a media representative to access the Summit grounds and more specifically the Media Centre to utilise the services available there. Those without a Media Pass cannot access the Media Centre

SECURITY
The media will be able to access specific areas only. Any other area is out of bounds. To avoid problems with security personnel it is required that members of the media stay within the confines of the areas permitted. A map outlining these areas will be provided to accredited media. This will be in their media kits given on arrival.

ACCOMMODATION
Two hotels have been booked for accommodation purposes for the media:

1.The Dominion International Hotel is approximately a 10 – 15 minutes drive from the venue of the Summit.

Reservation: 672 0272
Fax: 672 0187
Email: dominionint@is.com.fj

Rates for ACP Summit
Room rates per night up to two people sharing
Garden (standard) room - FJ$70.00
Garden (deluxe) - FJ$100.00
Executive - FJ$125.00

Continental breakfast - FJ$10.50
Cooked breakfast starts at - FJ$11.00

2.The Gateway hotel is a 10 – 15 minutes drive from the Summit venue.
Reservations: 672 2444
Fax: 672 0620
Email: rafflesresv@is.com.fj

Rates for ACP Summit:
Deluxe Rooms:
Single/Twin/Double – FJ $100.00 (Overseas)
Single /Twin/Double – FJ 74.00 (Local)

TRANSPORT
Shuttle buses will be provided to travel from hotels to and from the Summit venue, daily. Times will be provided in your media kit.

DRESS CODE
Preferably appropriate formal attire on the first day for the Traditional Ceremony of Welcome.

MEDIA CENTRE SERVICES
Generally services at the Media Centre include the following:-

Opening hours: 8 am to 10 pm daily. (From Monday, July 15th – Friday, July 19th).

Welcome Desk: (all inquiries through this desk)

What’s available:
Computers/printers
Email & Internet facilities
Fax
Photocopying
Telephones (user pay)
Audio visual feed facilities
Video Post Production facilities ( tapes on selected events sold upon placement of order).
Internet ports – (for personal laptops)
One on one interview room
Monitors – Proceedings from the meeting will be projected to the Media Centre, also for messages, notices etc.)
Refreshments corner

REQUESTS FOR INTERVIEW
Requests for interviews with Heads of States, Government Leaders or representatives may be made through the Welcome Desk of the Media Centre.

Bookings can be made with the Media Centre.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Contact: Mr Sakiusa Rokotakala (Media Centre Co-ordinator)
Phone: 3211 779
Fax:3303146
(M) 928 6078
Email: srokotakala@info.gov.fj

* Note: Updates on media arrangements will continously be posted.