Social media in Fiji is increasingly seen as harsh, sexist, and damaging, especially for women and the LGBTQ+ community. This concern was addressed by Constitutional Lawyer Jon Apted during a panel discussion aimed at tackling obstacles to female participation in local government elections.
Apted pointed out that individuals often find their personal images shared online, with trolls frequently posting on platforms like Chat Fiji and its various iterations on Facebook. He highlighted instances where intimate photos of couples are publicly shared, and allegations of infidelity are broadcasted without any regard for privacy.
Apted emphasized that if such behavior continues unchecked, it will discourage women from engaging in public life. He noted that while there are legal frameworks to hold individuals accountable for their online actions, insufficient funding and staffing have hindered the effectiveness of the Online Safety Commission. Moreover, there has been a lack of public awareness initiatives regarding appropriate online conduct.
He stressed that these issues must be addressed to empower women, enabling them to feel confident in participating in the public domain.