Fiji has officially put forward its proposal to host the 2026 Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) Media Summit, suggesting Savusavu as the potential location. This announcement coincides with the gathering of over 70 media professionals from seven nations in Alofi, Niue, for the ongoing 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 witnessed participants taking part in four workshops prior to the main event. Key topics being addressed include the fortification of national media associations, public finance management reporting, and the response to emerging climate and environmental challenges in the Pacific region.
A prominent aspect of this year’s pre-summit activities is the “Women in Media” workshop, facilitated by femLINKpacific and supported by The Asia Foundation, which aims to improve gender representation and leadership within media organizations. This initiative has attracted more than 15 participants from various organizations across the Pacific and Australia.
The main summit’s focus will be on the theme “Navigating Media Resilience: Press Freedoms, AI, and Geopolitical Interests,” where discussions will revolve around how Pacific media can adapt to technological advancements and external pressures. Stanley Simpson, the general secretary of the Fijian Media Association, highlighted PINA’s pivotal role in shaping regional media and maintaining journalistic integrity amid these challenges.
Throughout the week, attendees will delve into the influence of AI on journalism and the critical need to protect press freedoms. The summit will culminate with the launch of the “State of the Pacific Media Report,” followed by the PINA Annual General Meeting.