Failure to stand up against cyberbullying will allow it to continue unfettered : Narayan

A lot more people have to stand up to cyberbullying. People are not standing up to it and if we do not do that, it will continue unfettered.

This call was made by Communications Fiji Limited News Director, Vijay Narayan during the Asia Foundation Cultural Heritage and Tolerance Symposium when asked about the role of the media in managing online hate, particularly when it stems from individuals who moralize without understanding deeper cultural contexts.

Narayan says they have disabled comments on the social media page of Communications Fiji Limited’s website, fijivillage to protect both the users and staff, and any comments are coming through a filtration system that meets CFL’s ethical and editorial standards.

Narayan adds that their female personalities are getting cyber-bullied a lot, and CFL has reached out to the authorities including Police and the Online Safety Commission.

He says we all have to stand up to this rather than watching things unfold online like spectators.

Narayan says while the Online Safety Commission Act exists, more needs to be done.

He adds we have a lot of people online without any education and awareness on online etiquette.

Narayan says it is like they are being given a loaded gun, and they are just saying anything.

He stresses that there are limits to freedom of expression, particularly in cases involving racial hatred or incitement.

Meanwhile, Fiji Times Editor-in-Chief, Fred Wesley says for 13 years, the suppression and manipulation of information has been at play.

He says he and Narayan have sometimes been labelled as the bad boys of the media – which is them being attacked for just doing their job.

He says they were accused of being biased, and there were attempts to control what was published.

He says people often comment on the safety of journalists, but the truth is, safety goes beyond physical threats.

He further says it includes being able to report without fear of legal or financial repercussions.

The symposium aims to promote cultural and religious diversity through the creation of over 10 children's storybooks under the Let’s Read project, which will foster inter-generational dialogue and understanding.

The books will serve as a vehicle for these discussions, helping children, parents and other community members celebrate differences and understand the importance of tolerance and freedom.