New Zealand journalist and academic David Robie has covered the Asia-Pacific region for international media for more than two decades. An advocate for media freedom in the Pacific region, he is the author of several books on South Pacific media and politics, including an account of the French bombing of the Greenpeace ship the Rainbow Warrior - which took place while he was on board. In 1994 he founded the journal Pacific Journalism Review examining media issues and communication in the South Pacific, Asia-Pacific, Australia and New Zealand. In this interview conducted by Mediasia organising committee member Dr Nasya Bahfen, Professor Robie discusses a surge of disinformation and the challenges it posed for journalists in the region as they covered the COVID-19 pandemic alongside a parallel 'infodemic' of fake news and hoaxes. He also explores the global climate emergency and the disproportionate impact it is having on the Asia-Pacific.
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