Fiji has officially put forward a proposal to host the 2026 Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) Media Summit, with Savusavu being suggested as the location.
This announcement comes as more than 70 media professionals from seven nations gather in Alofi, Niue, for the 7th PINA Media Summit. A decision on which country will host the event in 2026 is anticipated later this week.
The summit, which officially began today, has already included four pre-summit workshops where key issues have been addressed. Topics of discussion have included the strengthening of national media associations, effective reporting on public finance management, and tackling emerging climate and environmental trends within the Pacific region.
A highlight of this year’s pre-summit activities is the “Women in Media” workshop, led by femLINKpacific and backed by The Asia Foundation. This initiative aims to improve gender balance in media leadership positions and representation, attracting over 15 participants from various organizations across the Pacific and Australia.
The primary focus of the main summit will be on the theme “Navigating Media Resilience: Press Freedoms, AI, and Geopolitical Interests.” Discussions will center on how Pacific media can adjust to rapid technological advancements and external influences.
Stanley Simpson, general secretary of the Fijian Media Association, highlighted PINA’s importance in shaping regional media and upholding journalistic integrity in the face of these challenges. Participants will examine the role of artificial intelligence in journalism and emphasize the necessity of protecting press freedoms throughout the week.
The summit will culminate with the unveiling of the “State of the Pacific Media Report” and the PINA Annual General Meeting.