The recording of an off-the-record discussion between a journalist and the acting commissioner of Fiji’s anti-corruption watchdog that was played in the High Court this week has prompted senior editors to stress that trust between reporters and sources remains the “backbone” of journalism. Fred Wesley, editor-in-chief of The Fiji Times, said the episode underscores the delicate balance newsrooms must strike between complying with the law and protecting confidentiality that encourages sources to speak.
Wesley made the remarks after the court heard a recording of a discussion between MaiTV journalist Lavenia Lativerata and acting Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) commissioner Lavi Rokoika. Part of that discussion had been agreed to be off the record, according to Wesley. Lativerata handed the recording to the court after receiving a witness subpoena requiring her to attend and give evidence, and the recording was subsequently played during proceedings earlier this week.
“Trust is one of the most important keys to our work – it’s the base from which we operate,” Wesley said. “If sources ever feel their confidentiality may be compromised, they may not speak openly or engage with us.” He warned that erosion of that trust can have tangible consequences: “When trust is not there, the stakes are quite high, because sources may dry up.”
Wesley emphasised that the obligation to protect sources is a core ethical duty for journalists, especially when information is shared off the record or under agreed conditions. “I believe we are ethically bound to protect sources, especially when information is shared off the record or under agreed conditions,” he said, adding that both parties must clearly understand the terms of an interview. “If comments are off the record, they should not be published or disclosed.”
At the same time, Wesley acknowledged that legal orders — including subpoenas and court directions — can complicate those protections. “However, we understand that if we are ordered by the courts to disclose them, we don’t have a choice if we want to follow the law,” he said, noting editors must weigh compliance with legal obligations alongside attempts to shield sources. That can include seeking legal advice, challenging orders in court where appropriate, or negotiating limits on what material is disclosed, Wesley said.
Wesley also called for clearer newsroom protocols to reduce risks to sources and preserve public trust. He said some media companies already have formal policies governing off-the-record conversations and that recordings, notes and transcripts must be “securely stored and accessed only by those directly involved in the story.” High-profile interviews, he added, now demand stricter safeguards — including pre-interview briefings, secure storage systems and ongoing legal advice.
The intervention from The Fiji Times’ editor comes amid broader regional scrutiny of media freedoms and editorial standards across the Pacific, where concerns about the safety of whistleblowers and the integrity of journalistic practices have been growing. Wesley framed the current episode as a reminder that strong editorial practice protects both the story and the relationship between reporters and their sources, and that maintaining confidentiality is central to sustaining investigative reporting and public accountability.
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