For the first time in Fiji’s history, government communications have been formally standardised with the launch of a national Communications Guidebook and a companion counter-disinformation framework called Sautu, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka announced today. The twin initiatives are presented as tools to strengthen how government information is prepared, delivered and defended as the country faces a more intense information environment.
Mr Rabuka described the Communications Guidebook as “the new gold standard for daily operations,” saying it will serve as a practical, step-by-step resource for public servants. “From drafting press releases to preparing for press conferences or crafting social media campaigns, this guidebook provides every communicator with a practical, step-by-step guide to reach every Fijian,” he said, framing the document as a mechanism to improve consistency and quality across government messaging.
Sautu, the second pillar of the launch, is a framework aimed at countering what the prime minister called a growing threat of disinformation. Mr Rabuka said Sautu “speaks of wellbeing, peace, and abundance and that is precisely what we are protecting when we defend our citizens from false and manipulative information.” He added that, “In a region where hostile actors want to exploit divisions and undermine our democracy, Sautu is the way we will respond,” describing the initiative as both a destination and “our shield against disinformation.”
The prime minister warned the public and public servants alike to be prepared for an uptick in misleading information as the country moves through “national challenges” in the year ahead. With elections on the horizon, Mr Rabuka said the information environment will intensify and cautioned that misinformation could be used to create uncertainty and weaken confidence in public institutions. “There are people who will try to exploit uncertainty, sow division, and undermine public confidence in our institutions. We must be ready,” he said.
Mr Rabuka also tied the communications overhaul to the ongoing Functional Review of the Fiji Civil Service, arguing that clearer, coordinated communication is essential while the review proceeds. “The public will be looking to us for transparency and clarity. We must deliver it,” he said, stressing that the new materials are part of broader preparation rather than a reason for anxiety.
Acknowledging those involved in developing both documents, the prime minister positioned today’s launches as a preparatory step designed to bolster trust and operational coherence across government channels. The formal standardisation marks a notable shift in how Fiji’s public sector intends to manage information flow and respond to misinformation — a development that officials say will matter most as the country approaches contentious national events.
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