The government must invest in the Online Safety Commission, according to John Apted, a litigation partner at Munroe Ley Lawyers. He made this statement during a discussion on “Breaking Barriers: Increasing Female Participation in Local Government Elections in Fiji” held at Tanoa Plaza on Tuesday evening.
Apted emphasized that social media presents one of the most significant challenges for women seeking to enter politics. “The media is much less powerful now than it used to be; the reality is the action is all on social media,” he remarked. He described Fiji’s social media landscape as harsh and often hostile, targeting women and the LGBTQ+ community, who frequently bear the brunt of online abuse.
He pointed out that popular platforms like Chat Fiji expose individuals to unwarranted scrutiny, where personal and intimate photos are shared without consent. “Such exposure, when left unchecked, serves as a great disincentive for women to engage in politics,” he noted.
While there are laws intended to hold individuals accountable for online abuse, Apted stressed that the government has not allocated funds to enforce these regulations effectively. He called for greater investment in online safety through budgeting, staffing, and public awareness initiatives to create a more supportive environment for women.
Apted urged women to voice their concerns to the government and advocate for investments in online safety, highlighting that such measures could empower them to participate more actively in public life.