World Press Freedom Day is more than just celebrating the important role that journalism plays. It is also a moment that reflects the pressures facing the profession of protecting it and the responsibility of the Pacific government.
This was one of the key messages delivered this week by two guest speakers, University of South Pacific (USP) Journalism’s 2025 World Press Freedom Day celebrations, the Pacific UN Human Rights Advisor, General Secretary of the Fiji Media Association and Stanley Simpson.
In a speech to journalism students and other attendees on Monday, Chief guest Alefsen emphasized that freedom of the press is a fundamental pillar of democracy, a human rights, and is essential to sustainable development and the rule of law.
“Media freedom is a prerequisite for an inclusive, rights-supporting society,” Alefsen warns of rising threats such as censorship, harassment and surveillance, particularly with the spread of AI tools used to manipulate information and monitor media workers.
AI and human rights
She emphasized that AI must serve human rights rather than undermine human rights, and must be transparent, responsible and used in accordance with international human rights law.
“Some political actors misuse AI to spread disinformation and manipulate the story for personal or political gain,” she said.
She added that these risks were exacerbated by the fact that a small number of powerful companies and individuals now controlled much of the AI infrastructure and affected the global media environment.
“Innovation cannot come at the expense of freedom of the press, privacy or the safety of journalists,” she said.
Regarding Fiji, Alephsen praised the abolition of the Media Industry Development Act (MIDA) in 2023 as a “critical turning point,” and had a positive impact on Fiji’s rankings in the RSF World Press Freedom Index.
However, she stressed that legal reforms must continue, particularly with regard to sedation laws, and highlighted ongoing challenges across the Pacific, including fiscal instability, political pressure and threats against female journalists.
According to Alefsen, the Pacific media landscape had evolved better in some countries, but concerns remained. She highlighted the working conditions of most journalists in the region where economic insecurity, political interference and lack of institutional support are common.
“Independent journalism ensures transparency, fights disinformation, amplifies marginalized voices, and allows people to make informed decisions about their lives and governance. In many countries around the world, journalists face censorship, detention and, in some cases, death.
Strengthen media independence and sustainability
Keynote speaker Stanley Simpson reflected these concerns, adding that “a time when the Fijian media could survive from pure will and courage was over.”
“Now, it’s about technology, sustainability and mental health support,” he said.
Speaking on the subject and strengthening media independence and sustainability, Simpson highlighted the need for media to remain independent, noting that journalists are expected to sacrifice greater than other industry experts.
“Independence is difficult and challenging, but in the media industry it is essential to maintain credibility. We must be able to think, talk, write and report on any issue or someone at will,” Simpson said.
According to Simpson, there was a misconception that in Fiji, being independent means avoiding relationships and contact.
“We need to build a network to access and get information from a variety of sources. In fact, strengthening media independence means that we can talk to everyone and hear all aspects of it.
He argued that it is sustainable only when the media is independent, and that independence is possible only when sustainability is achieved. Reminiscing the events of the political upheaval of 2006, Simpson said he contributed to the decline of media freedom in Fiji and the collapse of several media organizations.
“Today, as we mark the World Reporter’s Day of Freedom, we gather at this wonderful institution to reflect on the simple yet deep truth. The media is truly sustainable only when it is truly free.
“We need to have a democratic, political and governance structure in place along with a culture of responsible freedom of speech. It was believed and practiced by our leaders and Fijian people,” he said.
New media landscape
Simpson also spoke about the evolving media landscape, noting the rise of social media influencers and the rise of AI-generated content. He urged journalists to verify the sources and ensure fairness, balance and accuracy. Most social media platforms were not bound.
Although some influencers have been accused of being clickbait-driven, Simpson has acknowledged their role. “I think they are important new voices in our democracy and in changing landscapes,” he said.
He criticized the AI-created news platform that republished content without editorial oversight, warning that it further eroded public trust in the media.
“The site pops up overnight claiming it’s a news platform, but that content is just a playback media release,” he said. “This puts the overall credibility of journalism at risk.”
The challenge of the Fijian media
Simpson outlined several challenges facing Fijian media, including financial constraints, mental health for journalists, lack of investment in equipment, low pay and staff retention. He emphasized the importance of building strong democratic and governance structures and cultivating a culture that respects and cherishs freedom of speech.
“Many people are not grateful for the full scale of the damage to the media industry’s landscape over the past 16 years. I don’t think Mai TV, Fiji TV or some other local media organizations would have been today if the government hadn’t changed.
According to Simpson, some media organizations in Fiji were only a month or two away from the closure.
“We barely survived the last 16 years, but many media organizations in places like New Zealand (New Shab on TV3) have already been closed. The era in which Fijian media survives pure will is over.
Young journalist answers
In the panel discussion, second year USP journalism student Tonga Vahefonuatupola highlighted the relationship between media and ethical journalism and shared personal experiences to explain his point.
He said that journalists should enjoy media freedom, but professional ethics must also be applied, especially in challenging situations.
Tupola noted that the insights shared by the speaker and fellow students had a major impact on his perspective.
Another panelist, Riya Bhagwan, president of the Association of Third Grade Students and Journalism Students, spoke to the intersection of artificial intelligence and journalism.
She said responsibility is more important than ever, with this era of rapid technological advancement, with AI, social media and the constant flow of information.
“I’m no longer a professional journalist reporting this news, and there’s also civic journalism, where I create and share content that can have a major impact on public opinion.
“This change makes responsible journalism essential. Journalists must maintain professional standards, especially in terms of accuracy and reliability,” she said.
Manie Sheikinenperman, the third panelist from the Federated States of Micronesia, acknowledged the challenges faced by media organizations and journalists in the Pacific.
She shared that young and aspiring journalists like herself are beginning to understand the extent of the challenges journalists face in Fiji and across the region.
Maniesse emphasized the importance of not only studying journalism, but also practicing it after graduation.
The panel discussion featuring journalism students responding to keynote speeches was hosted by the programme’s USP Journalism Director, Dr. Shailendra Singh.
Dr. Singh said that Fiji has made great strides in abolishing the Media Industry Development Act (MIDA), but that the global experience demonstrates that media freedom never takes for granted.
He emphasized that maintaining media freedom is a continuous struggle and a work that is always ongoing.
“As far as media organizations are concerned, there are always new challenges on the horizon,” he said, pointing to the complications brought about by digital disruption and, more recently, artificial intelligence.
Fiji rose to fourth place (out of 180 countries) in the RSF 2025 World Press Freedom Index, becoming Oceania Media Freedom Leader outside Australia (29) and New Zealand (16).
Niko Ratumaimuri is a second year journalism student at the University of South Pacific’s Laucala campus. This article was first published by the student online news site Wansolwara and was republished in collaboration with the Asia-Pacific Report.
Article by asiapacificreport.nz
