Fiji has formally submitted its bid to host the 2026 Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) Media Summit, proposing Savusavu as the venue. This announcement coincides with the gathering of over 70 media professionals from seven nations in Alofi, Niue, for the 7th PINA Media Summit. The host country for 2026 is expected to be announced later this week.
The summit commenced today, following four pre-summit workshops attended by participants. Discussions have focused on significant topics such as strengthening national media associations, effective reporting on public finance management, and addressing the emerging climate and environmental issues facing the Pacific region.
A standout aspect of this year’s pre-summit activities is the “Women in Media” workshop, organized by femLINKpacific with support from The Asia Foundation, aimed at improving gender representation in media leadership roles. This session has attracted over 15 participants from various organizations across the Pacific and Australia.
The main summit will revolve around the theme “Navigating Media Resilience: Press Freedoms, AI, and Geopolitical Interests,” addressing how Pacific media can adapt to advancements in technology and external challenges. Stanley Simpson, the general secretary of the Fijian Media Association, highlighted PINA’s critical role in shaping the region’s media landscape and upholding journalistic integrity amid these hurdles.
During the week, participants will delve into the impact of AI on journalism and the crucial importance of protecting press freedoms. The summit will conclude with the release of the “State of the Pacific Media Report” and the PINA Annual General Meeting.