Fiji has formally put forward a proposal to host the 2026 Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) Media Summit, with Savusavu suggested as the location. This bid was announced during the 7th PINA Media Summit, where over 70 media professionals from seven nations are gathered in Alofi, Niue.
The decision regarding the host for 2026 is anticipated to be made later this week. The summit officially commenced today, having already featured four pre-summit workshops for participants.
Discussions during the workshops have focused on crucial topics such as enhancing national media associations, reporting on public finance management, and tackling emerging climate and environmental issues in the Pacific.
A highlight of this year’s pre-summit is the “Women in Media” workshop, organized by femLINKpacific and backed by The Asia Foundation, aimed at improving gender equality in media leadership and representation. This session has attracted more than 15 participants from various organizations across the Pacific and Australia.
The upcoming main summit will revolve around the theme “Navigating Media Resilience: Press Freedoms, AI, and Geopolitical Interests,” where discussions will examine how Pacific media can navigate technological advancements and external pressures. Stanley Simpson, general secretary of the Fijian Media Association, highlighted PINA’s significant influence in shaping regional media and upholding journalistic principles in the face of these challenges.
Throughout the week, attendees will delve into the implications of AI for journalism and the crucial need to protect press freedoms. The event will conclude with the release of the “State of the Pacific Media Report,” followed by the PINA Annual General Meeting.