Fiji has formally expressed its interest in hosting the 2026 Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) Media Summit, proposing Savusavu as the location. This announcement coincides with the gathering of over 70 media professionals from seven nations in Alofi, Niue, for the current 7th PINA Media Summit. A decision regarding the host country for 2026 is anticipated later this week.
The summit, which kicks off today, has already featured four pre-summit workshops. Discussions have centered on vital topics such as the strengthening of national media associations, effective reporting on public finance management, and addressing the emerging trends related to climate and environmental issues in the Pacific region.
A standout feature of this year’s pre-summit activities is the “Women in Media” workshop, facilitated by femLINKpacific with support from The Asia Foundation, aimed at promoting gender equality in media leadership and representation. This session has attracted over 15 participants from various organizations across the Pacific and Australia.
The main summit will adopt the theme “Navigating Media Resilience: Press Freedoms, AI, and Geopolitical Interests,” focusing on how Pacific media can adjust to technological advancements and external pressures. Stanley Simpson, the general secretary of the Fijian Media Association, highlighted PINA’s significance in shaping regional media and upholding journalistic integrity in the face of these challenges.
During the week, attendees will delve into the implications of AI in journalism and emphasize the need to protect press freedoms. The summit will conclude with the publication of the “State of the Pacific Media Report,” followed by the PINA Annual General Meeting.