Recent research indicates that the media sector in the Pacific region, despite improvements in internet access, remains fragile in the face of digital disruption and ongoing declines in advertising revenue stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. The study, titled “The State of the Media: Pacific,” involved over 100 participants from a variety of countries, including Fiji, Vanuatu, and Samoa, and builds on previous findings from a 2013 report.
Internet access has expanded significantly since 2013, with Fiji and Samoa now reporting access rates of 85% and 75%, respectively. This increase facilitates greater access to news and information but also leads to the proliferation of misinformation—a particularly serious issue exacerbated during the pandemic. Larger countries, in particular Fiji, Solomon Islands, and Samoa, face challenges related to misinformation due to their active diasporas and high influx of foreign media sources.
The author of the report, Priestley Habru from the University of Adelaide, expressed concern over the interconnectedness between government funding and the media’s independence. Many respondents highlighted fears that increased regulation and financial pressures might undermine media’s ability to report on public interest stories and hold authorities accountable. In countries like Nauru and Tuvalu, where all local media outlets are state-run, there is apprehension that government ownership may hinder journalistic integrity.
Furthermore, the report includes observations that journalists in smaller Pacific nations often shy away from controversial topics to avoid community backlash, indicating a delicate balance between public interest and local societal norms.
Interestingly, the study also assessed the embrace of artificial intelligence (AI) by media practitioners across the twelve surveyed countries. While there is enthusiasm about AI’s potential, many express skepticism regarding its ability to accurately reflect Pacific cultures and languages.
This research, which is part of the Pacific Media Assistance Scheme aided by the Australian Government, serves as a critical examination of the media landscape in the Pacific. It emphasizes the need for continued dialogue about media independence and sustainability, particularly as geopolitical influences become more pronounced in the region.
The ongoing efforts to sustain media independence in the Pacific are vital, as noted by parallels in discussions regarding the economic sustainability of newsrooms highlighted in similar reports, such as the Pacific Islands Media Freedom Index. The interplay between funding, media freedom, and local representation continues to resonate as essential narrative components in the evolving media landscape of the Pacific.
These developments present both challenges and opportunities for the Pacific media sector as it navigates the complexities of modernization and the safeguarding of democratic values. Continued focus on inclusivity and representation may herald an era of revitalized media capable of truthfully portraying the diverse voices of the Pacific.
Leave a comment