FMA appreciative of MIDA repeal but more needs to be done

Fijian Media Association President and Fiji Sun Managing Editor Rosi Doviverata says while the media is appreciative of the repeal of the Media Industry Development Authority Act, a lot still needs to be done.

While speaking during a panel discussion on the topic of Navigating Fiji’s Media Landscape: Reflections on a Year of Change for FMA World Press Freedom Day, Doviverata says there are open door policies but asks what does it mean when current ministers, permanent secretaries and officials who are empowered to talk to the media do not respond.

She says how difficult then, is the practice of journalism if there are still blocks to information flow between the powers that be and journalists who are acting on behalf of the public.

She says government’s support media freedom can no longer be a lip service and government needs to put their money where their mouth is.

She says newsrooms are closing down around the world and we see news deserts emerging in a rapid scale that we've never seen before and for Fiji, while government can guarantee media freedom, more needs to be done.

While giving the example of what happened in New Zealand during COVID where the New Zealand government set aside funding for newsrooms that were facing challenges during that time, Doviverata says newsrooms here face challenges of trying to survive and perhaps it is time that government can also do the same and consider that.

Attorney General Siromi Turaga says the government stands firm and they have an open door policy. Turaga says they are still new kids on the block and he does not see any minister reluctant to speak to the media.

FMA Vice President and Fiji Times Editor, Fred Wesley says freedom of expression is essential in a democracy and we saw how the power of the people forced the government to reconsider the estimated budget allocation for the National Economic Summit in 2023 for instance.

Wesley says this is what it is all about - people holding power to account and the powers that be, in this case, the government responding.

He says the ability to express opinions freely is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy, and there is a greater appreciation for democratic values.

FMA Executive and fijivillage News Director, Vijay Narayan says for any strong democracy, the true test of the system is if it has media freedom which is one of the strongest pillars of democracy, to ensure that we can question without fearing.

He says the attacks and intimidation became a norm for some of the journalists and they knew this would come but they just continued to go in that direction to inform the people of this country on what was happening.

He says for journalists, this is a calling to serve the people of the country and to hold those in power accountable without fear or favour.

Narayan says a lot of work lies ahead for the media industry because the intimidation is not there but the media needs to urgently focus on critical issues that affect the people which include drugs, water woes and the health crisis. He add we have to ensure that self regulation continues and that is the promise they have all made.