A cabinet minister has spoken out against the illegal sharing of a private video following Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s request for her clarification on the situation. Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection, Lynda Tabuya, stated that the video in question was a private interaction between consenting adults, specifically herself and her husband, and that it had been taken out of context.
Ms. Tabuya denounced the dissemination of this footage, labeling it as an illustration of technology-facilitated gender-based violence. She pointed out that two-thirds of women and girls in Fiji suffer from online violence, where private images are shared without consent. “We must put an end to this if we truly want to eradicate violence against women and girls,” she asserted.
She emphasized that the illegal sourcing and distribution of such materials is the genuine offense, warning that those circulating the video under the guise of a scandal are perpetuating online violence. Women face these challenges regularly, including issues such as sextortion and revenge porn.
Furthermore, the minister drew attention to the disproportionate harassment faced by women online, especially female leaders, noting that women are attacked tenfold more than men on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok. She urged the Fiji Media Council to adhere to ethical reporting standards to avoid perpetuating this cycle of violence.
Ms. Tabuya warned that sharing the video is a criminal act that can lead to serious legal repercussions. A police report will be filed against a person identified as distributing the video, citing violations of the Online Safety Act and the Crimes Act.
Prime Minister Rabuka, responding to media inquiries, confirmed that he had sent a letter to the minister asking for her explanation but did not mention any considerations for disciplinary measures.
This incident serves as a reminder of the serious implications of online privacy violations and the need for society to take a stand against such acts. To foster a safer online environment, it is crucial for communities to support victims and advocate for respectful and ethical behavior in both digital and real-world interactions.
The situation highlights the importance of media literacy and the need for individuals to be aware of the consequences of sharing personal content without consent, promoting a more respectful digital culture moving forward.
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