The Fiji Sun today joins news publishers around the world to mark World News Day.

The role played by journalists in print and digital media is more important now than ever before in the face of multiple challenges. However, their core role remains the same – to inform, educate, and entertain.

In a world besieged by information overload, too much fake and peddled by various forums on social media, the journalists’ job is to ensure that the audience gets the truth.

During this COVID-19 outbreak, which has plunged many countries into unprecedented health and economic crisis, newsrooms have to readjust and improvise to ensure people get their daily dose of news they can rely on to deal with their hardship.

More and more people are turning to professional journalists because what they produce helps them to make informed decisions. For many people, it is about survival and they are looking for answers – how to stay safe, protect their jobs and for the jobless, how to find new jobs and opportunities. Facts are essential and the journalists’ job is to separate them from fiction.

This can be a daunting task when a “fake news” item goes viral on social media and gullible people are swept off their feet by the hysteria or fear and join the bandwagon.

Warren Fernandez, president of World Editors Forum, beautifully sums up the situation when he says that at a time when so much has been turned on its head, this much has become clear: Real news matters. The truth matters. Objectivity matters. Balance and fairness matter. In short, quality journalism matters.

Mr Fernandez says these are hallmarks of professional newsrooms. These newsrooms strive to tell the stories that matter to the communities they serve.

The Fiji Sun has featured stories of people who have lost their jobs but have tried their hands in doing something totally new to survive and support their families. These are tales of inspiration and building resilience among our people. And there are those who give of themselves, their time and means to help families in need.

Some businesses have suffered, some have closed and others are barely surviving in an economy that has been hit hard by COVID-19.

We have highlighted inspiring tales. We have supported the innovative efforts in our hardest-hit injury, tourism.

The Fiji Sun has also highlighted the great sacrifices by our frontline workers, including doctors, nurses, and members of the disciplined forces. They have been responsible for ensuring that we contain community transmissions and keeping our statistics one of the lowest in the world. The World Health Organisation has given Fiji a special recognition because of it. Fiji Sun reports tell us that we cannot take things for granted – that we need to innovate and follow good governance principles.

We take this opportunity to wish everyone all the best on this World News Day and may we continue our quest for the facts and truth.

Feedback: nemani.delaibatikia@fijisun.com.fj