More than 200 media professionals and stakeholders from across the Pacific have gathered in Savusavu for the 8th Pacific Media Summit with the theme, “Reaching the Remote: Media and Digital Innovation for a Connected Blue Pacific.”
Today, the Prime Minister Hon. Sitiveni Rabuka addressed those in attendance and linked the regional gathering’s theme to Fiji’s vision of an Ocean of Peace.
“The Ocean of Peace is our shared vision for a secure, resilient, peaceful and united Blue Pacific,” he said.
The Prime Minister said digital innovation was helping bridge the Pacific’s vast distances and ensure remote communities could be heard.
For this, he called for “Constructive Pacific Journalism” that remains independent, fearless and committed to connecting communities.
“That is not a threat to democracy. It is part of democracy,” he said of the media’s role in questioning, investigating and holding institutions accountable.
The Prime Minister also highlighted that one of the early decisions of the Coalition Government was to repeal the Media Industry Development Act, reaffirming the Government’s commitment to a media that is free to question, investigate, challenge and inform.
He said a pluralistic, financially resilient and independent media sector was essential to a healthy democracy.
Hon. Rabuka also highlighted Fiji’s SAUTU Counter-Disinformation Framework and called for stronger media literacy and responsible journalism amid growing misinformation and artificial intelligence.
A key highlight was the formal launch of the Pacific Centre for Communications and Journalism, a partnership between Fiji National University and the Fijian Media Association aimed at strengthening training, research and regional media cooperation.
In conclusion, the Prime Minister said that Pacific media must play a greater role in telling the region’s own story.
“We must tell our own stories. The Pacific should not only be spoken about. The Pacific must also speak for itself,” he added.
Meanwhile, in recognition of the Prime Minister’s commitment to promoting freedom of speech and expression, the PINA executives presented Hon. Rabuka with a commemorative plaque after delivering his official remarks.
The summit will conclude on Friday.
