The media has an important role to play in ensuring voters have access to timely, accurate and reliable information during the electoral process.
This has been highlighted by Supervisor of Elections Ana Mataiciwa while opening the Media and Elections Reporting Training at Communications Fiji Limited this morning.
Mataiciwa says the media is one of the most important links between electoral processes and the public, helping voters understand how elections work, what is happening and where they can access verified information.
She says this influence comes with the responsibility to report accurately, fairly and impartially.
Mataiciwa says the training will cover the legal framework governing elections and the media’s role and responsibilities, as well as fact-checking and the growing challenges of misinformation and disinformation, including content generated through artificial intelligence.
She says the programme will also focus on inclusive election reporting, including equitable coverage of women and marginalised candidates and making election information accessible and relevant to Fiji’s diverse voter groups, including young people and those living in rural and maritime communities.
She says a professional and well-informed media is an important partner in ensuring voters have access to credible electoral information.
Mataiciwa says in an environment where information can travel across the country in seconds, misinformation can spread just as quickly, making accuracy more important than ever.
