Fiji has officially put forward a proposal to host the 2026 Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) Media Summit, with the town of Savusavu suggested as the location. This announcement coincides with the gathering of over 70 media professionals from seven nations in Alofi, Niue, for the 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 participants engaging in four pre-summit workshops. Key topics being addressed include the strengthening of national media associations, effective reporting on public finance management, and responding to emerging climate and environmental issues in the Pacific.
A significant aspect of this year’s pre-summit activities is the “Women in Media” workshop, organized by femLINKpacific and backed by The Asia Foundation. This workshop aims to improve gender balance in media leadership and representation and has attracted more than 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,” focusing on how Pacific media can evolve in the face of technological advancements and external pressures. Stanley Simpson, general secretary of the Fijian Media Association, reiterated PINA’s essential role in shaping regional media and upholding journalistic integrity during challenging times.
Throughout the week, attendees will delve into the influence of AI on journalism while emphasizing the vital importance of preserving press freedoms. The summit will wrap up with the release of the “State of the Pacific Media Report,” followed by the PINA Annual General Meeting.