Fiji has formally submitted its candidacy to host the 2026 Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) Media Summit, proposing the town of Savusavu as the event’s location. This announcement comes as more than 70 media professionals from seven nations gather in Alofi, Niue, for the 7th PINA Media Summit.
The selection of the host country for 2026 is anticipated later this week. The summit, which officially began today, has already featured four pre-summit workshops focusing on various significant topics.
Topics discussed during these workshops include strengthening national media associations, reporting on public finance management, and addressing emerging climate and environmental challenges in the Pacific.
A standout aspect of this year’s pre-summit is the “Women in Media” workshop, organized by femLINKpacific and backed by The Asia Foundation. This initiative is designed 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.” The discussions will focus on how Pacific media can adapt to technological advancements and external pressures.
Stanley Simpson, general secretary of the Fijian Media Association, highlighted PINA’s influence in shaping regional media and upholding journalistic integrity amidst these evolving challenges.
During the week, participants will delve into the impact of AI on journalism and the vital need to protect press freedoms. The summit is set to conclude with the unveiling of the “State of the Pacific Media Report,” followed by the PINA Annual General Meeting.