20 December, 2025, 7:58 pm Central - 23°C Clouds

Online Safety Commission bolsters service to protect people from online bullying

Online Safety Commission bolsters service to protect people from online bullying

By Mikaele Liga
11/02/2025
Online Safety Commissioner Filipe Batiwale

In a bid to improve service delivery, the Online Safety Commission has achieved some key outcomes which include Digital literacy awareness programs, and specialized programs which allows them to work with organizations like the Fiji Women's Crisis Center and Save the Children Fiji to provide essential services including counseling, policy and advocacy.

This was highlighted by the Online Safety Commissioner Filipe Batiwale during a press conference at Civic Towers.

Batiwale says the Online Safety Commission has been actively involved in working group two of the task force which focuses on creating awareness and providing support to mitigate online harm.

He says While this work has been ongoing and the establishment of the task force has been enhanced through their coordination and broadened their impact, one of their key priorities moving forward is the creation of an online depository.

Batiwale says this is a centralized resource on our online safety commission website that will provide the public and survivors of online harm with direct access to helpful links and information about relevant services and this will ensure that the individuals know where to turn for the appropriate support and guidance.

Furthermore, he adds they have commenced launching a toll-free helpline, which is currently in progress with negotiations with the major telecommunications provider, providers for online safety-related concerns.

He stresses it will further enhance accessibility for those in need of immediate assistance as they continue to develop these initiatives.

Batiwale says their goal is to foster a safe and more responsible online environment for all Fijians while ensuring that every person's right to freedom of expression, as guaranteed under the Constitution, is upheld.

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