The Fiji Achievement in Media Excellence (FAME) Awards 2025 has made a long-awaited return after 17 years, with Communications Fiji Limited (CFL) securing several major awards across multiple categories.
CFL founder and Chairman William Parkinson was inducted into the Hall of Fame Class of 2025.
Parkinson says he was thrilled with the return of the FAME Awards, a very important event which he was proud to have helped establish.
He says one things that worries him as the media industry moves forward is that young journalists need to learn how to deal with an information space increasingly filled with “garbage”, and that we must be very careful not to allow ourselves to be swamped by the refuse that flows past us on social media.
fijivillage News Director Vijay Narayan won two of the most prestigious honours, Premier Award for Best Radio Journalist of the Year and Best News Report for Television and Video; he was also the finalist for the Best Commentary, Analysis, Opinion or Critique Award.
In his acceptance speech, Narayan reflected on the significant changes in Fiji’s media landscape and credited the CFL team for their resilience and commitment.
He expressed gratitude to the CFL family for remaining independent, fair, and free despite years of challenges.
He says it is a message to all the journalists who are in the industry that the only way to get it right is to make sure that we follow our Media Code of Ethics.
He thanked the CFL board and management and the whole CFL family including Parkinson and CFL General Manager, Charles Taylor.
Narayan also shared a personal moment, recalling a night when he and his family were discussing safety plans when there were real threats coming his way, in terms of attacks in Parliament, messages on the mobile phone and death threats.
He says the night is about victory for freedom, victory for independence, and victory for everyone.
CFL’s success also extended across radio categories.
LegendFM’s Breakfast Show team of Alex Elbourne and Victoria Vollmer was awarded Best Show or Personality in the English Language.
Speaking to fijivillage News, they say they were not expecting to win but they are thrilled to receive the award, and they thanked their listeners for being part of their wonderful journey.
Radio Navtarang’s Masala Mix Show was awarded Best Show or Personality in the Hindi Language category.
The popular programme has been running for almost 20 years and is currently hosted by Satya Nand, Anamika Maharaj, Jai Prasad, and Jessica Lal.
In the Marketing and Advertising category, John Vakaloloma took home the award for Best Radio Advertisement for his impactful “Eyes up, phones down” campaign.
fijivillage News also received recognition as finalists, including Iliana Biutu for Best Coverage of iTaukei Affairs, Aisea Buliruarua for Best News Photography, Scoop of the Year for interviews with the Prime Minister, Army Commander and Health Minister, and the Most Innovative Digital Team and Most Innovative Storytelling in the Digital category.
FM96 Crackfast Show was the finalist for Best Show or Personality in the English Language, and VitiFM's Dredre Ga Mo Cegu for the Best Show or Personality in the iTaukei Language.
The return of the FAME Awards marks a significant moment for Fiji’s media industry, celebrating excellence, resilience, and dedication across radio, television, and digital platforms.
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