A group of regional and international media representatives recently convened at a forum in Fiji to examine the challenges and opportunities facing journalists in the Pacific.
The three-day conference gathered people from the media industry, academics, civil society, and other stakeholders.
Shivaali Shrutika, an emerging journalist from Fiji, emphasized the need for newsrooms to adapt with the changing times. “Transformation is important, wherever you are,” she stated. “In mainstream media, we aim to be the voice for our communities, but first, we need to improve ourselves to understand and accurately portray their thoughts and perspectives.”
Shrutika highlighted the necessity of a positive working environment in journalism. “Given the pressures and deadlines in journalism, it’s essential to have positive energy and a flexible workspace where everyone’s efforts are valued, especially for newcomers to the field,” she said. The lack of support from more experienced reporters can drive some young journalists to leave the profession, she added.
Final-year journalism student Kaneta Namimatau from the University of the South Pacific also attended the conference. “This is the largest media conference I’ve attended, and the first in Fiji in 20 years,” he mentioned. He found the stories of intimidation and harassment faced by Fijian journalists under the Media Industry Development Act particularly troubling.
One of the most impactful moments from the conference for Namimatau was a panel on the prevalence and impact of sexual harassment on female journalists, an issue highlighted by a recent study. “It’s disheartening to hear, especially thinking about my sisters potentially experiencing such harassment in the workplace,” he reflected.
This conference reinforced Namimatau’s commitment to journalism and his desire to tell the stories of his Banaba and Rabi people.
Associate Professor Shailendra Singh, who played a key role in organizing the event, remarked on the critical timing for regional journalists. “The digital disruption, which has drained advertising revenue from the media industry, coupled with the impacts of COVID-19, has left most media organizations struggling to survive,” he said. Singh is a coordinator for the journalism course at the University of the South Pacific and noted that the papers and discussions from the conference will be published in the Pacific Journalism Review.
The forum also celebrated the repeal of FijiFirst government’s 2010 repressive media act in 2023, which has alleviated some of the censorship and fear previously faced by journalists in Fiji.
Dr. David Robie, publisher of Asia Pacific Report, praised the conference, noting that it did not shy away from difficult discussions, including those on sexual harassment in journalism. Other panels addressed pressing issues such as climate change and stress/burnout within the industry.
This was the first conference of its kind in Fiji in two decades, and Singh hopes that the delegates will bring back valuable insights to their respective newsrooms.