Fiji has officially proposed to host the 2026 Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) Media Summit, suggesting Savusavu as the location for the event. This announcement coincides with the ongoing 7th PINA Media Summit in Alofi, Niue, where more than 70 media professionals from seven countries are gathered.
A decision regarding the host country for 2026 is anticipated later this week. The current summit has already kicked off with four pre-summit workshops addressing various pressing issues, including the strengthening of national media associations, reporting on public finance management, and tackling emerging climate and environmental trends in the Pacific.
A significant component of this year’s pre-summit activities is the “Women in Media” workshop. Organized by femLINKpacific and supported by The Asia Foundation, this workshop aims to improve gender balance in media leadership and representation, attracting over 15 participants from organizations across the Pacific and Australia.
The main summit will revolve around the theme “Navigating Media Resilience: Press Freedoms, AI, and Geopolitical Interests.” Participants will engage in discussions on how Pacific media can adapt to technological advancements and external pressures. Stanley Simpson, general secretary of the Fijian Media Association, highlighted PINA’s pivotal role in shaping regional media and upholding journalistic values amid these challenges.
During the week, attendees will examine the impact of AI on journalism and the crucial need to protect press freedoms. The summit will conclude with the unveiling of the “State of the Pacific Media Report,” followed by the PINA Annual General Meeting.