Fiji has formally proposed to host the 2026 Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) Media Summit, suggesting Savusavu as the location for the event. This announcement coincides with the gathering of over 70 media professionals from seven different countries in Alofi, Niue, for the ongoing 7th PINA Media Summit. The decision regarding the host country for the 2026 summit is anticipated later this week.
The summit commenced today, following four pre-summit workshops that provided opportunities for participant engagement. Critical topics covered include the fortification of national media associations, the management of public finance reporting, and tackling emerging climate and environmental issues in the Pacific region.
A significant aspect of this year’s pre-summit activities is the “Women in Media” workshop, spearheaded by femLINKpacific with support from The Asia Foundation. This workshop aims to promote gender equality in media leadership and representation, attracting over 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.” Discussions will focus on how Pacific media can adjust to technological advancements and external influences. Stanley Simpson, the general secretary of the Fijian Media Association, highlighted PINA’s pivotal role in influencing regional media and upholding journalistic integrity in the face of these challenges.
Throughout the week, attendees will examine the impact of AI on journalism and the necessity of protecting press freedoms. The summit is set to conclude with the publication of the “State of the Pacific Media Report,” followed by the annual general meeting of PINA.