Fiji’s premier news organizations are coming together for the first time to host two public town hall forums in the Northern Division, named “Meet the Public and the Press”. This initiative, organized under the auspices of the Fiji Media Association (FMA), will feature Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Professor Biman Prasad, and other senior ministers. The first event is scheduled for July 23 in Savusavu, followed by another on July 24 in Labasa, both of which will be broadcast live across major media platforms.
The collaboration includes The Fiji Times, Fiji Sun, CFL, FBC, Fiji TV, Mai TV, and Fiji Live, with support from the US Embassy. Fred Wesley, editor-in-chief of The Fiji Times, emphasized the significance of these forums as a groundbreaking opportunity for citizens to engage directly with their government officials on vital community issues such as health, education, and infrastructure.
As echoed by FMA General Secretary Stanley Simpson, this initiative aims to enhance transparency and foster democratic dialogue amidst the challenges of misinformation. These forums serve as an essential platform for citizens to voice their concerns and directly question their leaders.
This represents a hopeful shift towards increased accountability and interaction within the government, reflecting the importance of citizen engagement in a healthy democracy. The FMA has expressed a commitment to continue organizing similar events across the nation in the future, thus strengthening the connection between the government and the public and promoting active involvement in national dialogues.
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