AI-Generated fake content to be policed under new Fijian Elections Office, Online Safety Commission pact

Artificial Intelligence-generated fake content will be monitored under the new partnership between the Fijian Elections Office and Online Safety Commission.

Online Safety Commissioner Filipe Batiwale confirmed yesterday that AI-generated misinformation would be covered under the memorandum of understanding signed with the elections office.

“With AI, that’s one of the evolving challenges in the digital space,” Mr Batiwale said.

He said while AI was not specifically mentioned in current legislation, it was covered broadly under existing laws being reformed.

“It’s a very broad clause in our current statute,” Mr Batiwale said, adding the partnership aimed to prevent such content in the online space.

The announcement follows concerns about fake media logos and deepfake videos circulating online recently.

Supervisor of Elections Ana Mataiciwa said awareness training for media would be conducted next year to address issues including the misuse of media logos.

“There was some misinformation, disinformation associated to it,” Ms Mataiciwa said, referring to fake logos used in past elections.

She said detailed processes would be developed when awareness activities begin in the election year.

The partnership comes after Fiji Television reported in July that a manipulated video falsely featuring their news manager was created using deepfake technology without authorization.

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka had earlier denounced fake news as a dangerous threat to public trust ahead of the 2026 general election.

Feedback: kaneta.naimatau@fijisun.com.fj