At all times, the public interest in accessing information and the media’s role in scrutinising government must outweigh any unilateral power to silence or sideline a news outlet. In Fiji, we uphold the principle that the media must be free to ask tough questions and hold government accountable. This is not a threat to leadership, it is a strength of a healthy democracy.
Those are the comments of Minister for Information, Lynda Tabuya as she reaffirms Fiji’s strong commitment to media freedom, transparency, and accountability in light of recent developments in Samoa involving restrictions placed on the Samoa Observer newspaper.
Tabuya notes that Fiji’s own history under the former MIDA Act serves as an important reminder of the dangers of suppressing press freedom and limiting public access to information.
She emphasises that a free, independent, and responsible media is essential to democracy, public trust, and government accountability.
Tabuya says Fiji has learned from its past and we know that restricting media engagement or access is not the answer.
She says when concerns arise about misinformation, the proper course is call it out publicly and publish the correct information, to raise those matters directly with the news organisation or lodge a formal complaint with the Fiji Media Council.
The Minister says these established mechanisms exist to ensure fairness, uphold ethical reporting, and maintain public confidence.
Tabuya adds that if the Samoa Observer has indeed published misinformation, she urges the newspaper, and all media organisations across the region to exercise media freedom responsibly, ensuring that journalists conduct themselves with integrity, uphold the highest ethical standards, and remain committed to the truth and accurate reporting.
The Minister encourages all Pacific leaders to continue championing press freedom, supporting robust and transparent complaints processes, and safeguarding the crucial role played by the media across the region.
