A Fijian news editor has criticized the Online Safety Act, labeling it as ‘slack’ amid growing concerns over its effectiveness. Vijay Narayan, news director of Communications Fiji Ltd, made these remarks during a panel discussion at the Women in Media Inaugural Conference 2025. He highlighted the increasing frequency of social media attacks on female journalists and called attention to the slow response from authorities in addressing such issues.
Narayan expressed frustration over the lack of action from the Online Commission, noting that complaints lodged have gone unanswered for months. He emphasized the need for a more robust system to protect women from online abuse, stating, “We need to know what action is to be taken because we know we had to counsel many women at our organization.”
The discussion around the Online Safety Act’s shortcomings resonates with broader concerns raised by various community leaders about its effectiveness. Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection, Lynda Tabuya, previously pointed out that the commission lacks the authority to enforce penalties or direct action on social media platforms, highlighting a critical gap in safeguarding individuals against online harassment.
Experts like John Apted, a litigation partner at Munroe Ley Lawyers, have also echoed the call for more government investment in the Online Safety Commission, underlining that social media is a significant barrier for women entering politics due to the prevalent hostile environment.
As awareness grows about the challenges faced by women online, there is hope that this situation could lead to necessary reforms to protect individuals, particularly women and marginalized communities. By urging reform and investing in the necessary resources, there is potential for creating a safer digital landscape where all can participate freely.
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