In an unprecedented display of media solidarity and collaboration, Fiji's major media organisations are uniting for the first time to co-host a historic Town Hall "Meet the Public and the Press" forums featuring Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and Deputy Prime Minister Professor Biman Prasad in Labasa, and senior cabinet and government officials in Savusavu.
Communications Fiji Limited the parent company of fijivillage, LegendFM, FM96, VITIFM, Navtarang and Radio Sargam, The Fiji Sun, The Fiji Times, Mai TV, Fiji Live, Fiji Broadcasting Corporation, and Fiji TV are collaborating under the Fiji Media Association umbrella to host forums in Savusavu at 7pm tomorrow at Hotel Grand Epic, and in Labasa 7pm this Thursday at the Fiji Football Association Conference Room.
The events are supported by the United States Embassy in Fiji.
Stanley Simpson, FMA General Secretary, described the collaboration as a watershed moment for Fiji's media landscape and democracy.
CFL News Director and FMA Executive, Vijay Narayan says this is a historic week for Fiji as the the first ever Meet the Public and the Press takes place in Vanua Levu with all the media platforms providing coverage on the two sessions.
Narayan says we have had the Editors Forum in the past, with the last one being a forum with the late former Prime Minister, Laisenia Qarase on the planned Reconciliation Bill in 2006.
He says this is about getting the people’s voices to be heard, and decision makers like the Prime Minister, cabinet ministers and government officials to be in the same room to answer direct questions.
Simpson says the role of the media is more critical than ever in an age of fake news and misinformation and our goal with this initiative is to foster transparent dialogue and democratic discussion, demonstrating our commitment to providing platforms for meaningful public discourse that highlights challenges and propose solutions.
He says never before have our major news organisations set aside commercial competition to work together for the greater good of democratic dialogue and public engagement.
This extraordinary technical collaboration sees camera operators, sound engineers, graphic artists, video editors and production coordinators working as one unified crew across company lines, achieving production values and coverage depth for public good.
As the coalition government approaches its third year in office, both forums will focus on critical issues affecting the Northern division.
Prime Minister Rabuka and Deputy Prime Minister Professor Prasad are expected to address economic development strategies, infrastructure improvements and regional connectivity, government services accessibility in rural areas, education and healthcare delivery, tourism development opportunities, and agricultural support programmes.
For Ministers and Ministries that may not be able to be physically present, the media will try to call them live during the show to respond to pressing queries from the public or address through follow up stories.
The events will be broadcast live simultaneously across all participating media platforms, with coordinated digital platforms, social media channels, and broadcast schedules ensuring unprecedented reach and accessibility for Fijian audiences nationwide.
Simpson adds for too long, meaningful political dialogue has been concentrated in Suva and urban centres.
He says by taking this forum to Savusavu and Labasa, we are ensuring that voices from our outer islands and rural communities are heard at the highest levels of government.
The FMA says since the Media Industry Development Act's removal in 2023, we have seen a more open environment for media collaboration, allowing us to focus on our core responsibility of serving the public interest without unnecessary regulatory constraints.
The moderated sessions will feature senior editors and journalists from all participating organisations, ensuring professional, balanced coverage whilst allowing for open public participation.
The Fijian Media Association expects to host similar town halls in future across Fiji.
You can catch the coverage on our website, fijivillage.
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