Fiji has officially put forward a bid to host the 2026 Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) Media Summit, proposing Savusavu as the event’s location. This announcement coincides with the gathering of over 70 media professionals from seven nations in Alofi, Niue, for the ongoing 7th PINA Media Summit. A decision regarding the host country for 2026 is expected to be made later this week.
The summit officially kicks off today after participants have already taken part in four preparatory workshops. Discussions during these workshops have encompassed critical topics such as enhancing national media associations, effective reporting on public finance management, and tackling emerging climate and environmental issues in the Pacific region.
One of the standout sessions this year is the “Women in Media” workshop, which is chaired by femLINKpacific and supported by The Asia Foundation. This initiative seeks to improve gender balance in media leadership and representation, attracting more than 15 participants from various organizations across the Pacific and Australia.
The primary focus of the main summit will be on the theme “Navigating Media Resilience: Press Freedoms, AI, and Geopolitical Interests.” The agenda includes discussions on how Pacific media can adjust to technological advancements and external pressures. Stanley Simpson, general secretary of the Fijian Media Association, underscored the importance of PINA in influencing regional media and upholding journalistic integrity amid these ongoing challenges.
Throughout the week, participants will delve into the implications of AI on journalism and emphasize the need to protect press freedoms. The summit is set to conclude with the release of the “State of the Pacific Media Report,” followed by the PINA Annual General Meeting.