Pacific Pulse opening up the region

Matelita Ragogo






Despite the fact they could be the most recognisable voices across the airwaves in the region today, Tania Nugent and Clement Paligaru would be just as home eating on your back porch.
The accents occasionally feature an Aussie twang but they effortlessly switch to their native tongue when they need, or want to.
Their working relationship is the envy of many in similar situations, their bond strengthened by their dogged pursuit of the Pacific agenda to have space in the bigger picture.
They are passionate, if not serious, about their work but it has not dampened the healthy dose of Pacific humour the Gods have blessed them with.
From producing Radio Australia’s flagship ‘Pacific Beat’ programme to co-hosting the popular and highly interactive ‘In the Loop’ programme, Paligaru’s live and relaxed albeit informative and intimate banter with listeners is a delight.
To many, Nugent might appear the untouchable maiden of the screen, serious even. But she is your typical girl-next-door—loves life, knows what she wants and an absolute fun when she lets her hair down.
Collectively, the two have some 30 years of experience between them which has been very well-utilised by the Australian Network’s dynamic new show ‘Pacific Pulse’ as reporters, presenters and producers. 
“Pacific Pulse has taken over my life, opening up a whole new region for me,” Nugent who remains a PNG citizen says of her new role. She is petite but talk to her and you sense a subtle but steely determination that’s uncompromising when it comes to standards.
“I am absolutely fascinated with our region. Oceania can be overwhelming with distance between islands nations but we strive to get all that we can.”
Nugent was born in Papua New Guinea leaving only to study for three years in Brisbane before returning home to be a producer/presenter for EMTV. A career move and personal commitments took her back to Australia where she has become one of the highly recognisable faces on Australia Network since joining Australian Broadcasting Corporation in 1994 to present the award-winning education programme Behind the News.
Paligaru, on the other hand, was born in Fiji but moved with his family to Australia, as a teenager. Instead of completing his thesis on India’s economic reforms, he opted for a career in broadcasting with ABC: he has never looked back.
Paligaru reckons being Pacific islanders help them understand the essence of stories they’re entrusted with, ultimately maintaining the spirit with which it was shared.
He dismisses the presumption that people respond to their ‘familiar faces’ believing wholeheartedly in the impact the content has and is capable of.
“I hope our presence promotes dialogue and exchange between Australia, the Pacific and the rest of the world. Because sometimes that familiar face is what is needed to start the conversation,” Paligaru said.
“I think it does make a difference when you are from the Pacific and telling the story. Because you know which aspects of the story will resonate or draw laughter. And no matter what, you make sure they do not end up on the cutting room floor.
“People are much more media-savvy these days and won’t just respond because we are from the Pacific.”
For Fiji viewers, one can expect features about Vorovoro Island and the Macuata Marine Park off, Vanua Levu; the emergence of Fijian designers in international fashion; and a profile on the Fijian community living in Melbourne. And the region will be having more on Pacific Pulse with the recent commitment by ABC to continue the programme after the final (40th) episode of its first series in September.
“In increasingly difficult economic circumstances, this is a great statement of support for the programme,” executive producer Bernadette Nunn told ISLANDS BUSINESS.
Nunn said the programme hopes to “offer a more balanced perspective of the Pacific to an international audience who would otherwise hear nothing of the region beyond news headlines that tend to be limited to stories of coups, cyclones, crisis, corruption and climate change”.
The title Pacific Pulse, Nunn said, was coined to reflect the energy and heart of the Pacific. Australia Network is part of ABC’s international division, along with Radio Australia, broadcasting to more than 44 countries across Asia and the Pacific.
“The programme has opened up the region for me; I like seeing the similarities in our different islands and cultures. When I do my story, I think of the people I had spoken to—it is such a bonus that the show is shown to the rest of the world—India, Hong Kong, and so on,” Nugent says.
Paligaru acknowledges they have just covered a minute slice of the region in their programmes, attributing it to costs incurred due to geography and travel costs. But he is confident that “we’ll get there”.