The Fiji Government has reaffirmed its commitment to media freedom while urging greater responsibility from news organisations, in an official statement issued to mark World Press Freedom Day on May 3. The government framed the statement as a call for a free press that is also fair, balanced and accountable, warning that the rapid flow of information today increases the stakes for accurate reporting.
“A free media must also be a fair media. A strong media must also be a balanced media. And a trusted media must always be a responsible media,” the statement said, stressing that freedom of the press must be exercised alongside accountability. Authorities warned that “incomplete reporting has no place in a democracy,” adding that coverage that amplifies misinformation, fuels division or erodes public trust should be resisted.
The statement singled out growing concerns about misinformation and disinformation on digital platforms, saying the role of responsible journalism “has never been more critical.” “The power to inform must never become the power to misinform,” it said, urging outlets and platforms to guard against content that misleads the public or undermines social cohesion.
Bringing the pledge into a local context, the government acknowledged concerns raised by the Fijian Media Association about pressures facing journalists, including legal processes and evolving media challenges. It said these were “important issues” and reaffirmed a commitment to “constructive dialogue,” insisting the relationship between government and the media “must not be defined by tension, but by mutual respect.”
The statement arrives against a backdrop of recent frictions between reporters and authorities. In December the Prime Minister issued an apology after journalists were left waiting outside a government event following a media access mix-up, and earlier this year some reporters reported inconsistent access at state-funded sporting venues, prompting concern from media groups about transparency. Media advocates in the region have also highlighted pressures on newsrooms, and the Fijian Media Association—whose general secretary, Stanley Simpson, has previously warned against efforts to marginalise independent outlets—has repeatedly called for protections for journalists.
Government officials framed the media as partners in nation-building rather than adversaries. “To our media practitioners: your role is essential. You are not just observers, you are participants in nation building,” the statement said, calling for collaboration between state institutions and the press to strengthen public accountability and participation. The release concluded with a pledge to defend press freedom while urging journalists to exercise it “with integrity and professionalism” so that “a peaceful and united Fiji depends on it.”
Press freedom advocates welcomed the reaffirmation but say sustained follow-through will be required to turn words into practice. Observers note that balancing protections against misinformation with safeguards for independent reporting is a delicate task—one that will demand transparent processes, clear access rules for journalists covering public institutions, and open channels for resolving disputes.
By issuing the statement on World Press Freedom Day, the government has signalled a willingness to publicly endorse media freedoms while placing renewed emphasis on the responsibilities that accompany them. The coming weeks will test whether the pledge on dialogue and mutual respect produces concrete measures to address the practical concerns raised by journalists and media organisations.