‘Culture of silence’ hurting Fiji’s development, says Simpson

Mai TV director Stanley Simpson says Fiji’s “culture of silence” is undermining national development, with professionals failing to publicly challenge poor leadership and governance issues.

Speaking during a strategic session at the 51st Fiji Institute of Chartered Accountants Annual Congress 2026 in Nadi on Saturday, Mr Simpson said accountants, economists and governance experts needed to take a more active role in shaping national discussions.

“One of the issues that was raised in the 90s, the culture of silence, continues, and that’s affecting development,” he said.

Mr Simpson challenged professionals attending the congress to speak out instead of remaining silent while public debate was increasingly driven by less informed voices.

“When the people like you who know how to read the balance sheets don’t speak out, you start to be governed by people who can’t even read the receipts,” he said.

He said many professionals were aware of issues within public institutions but chose not to raise concerns publicly.

“People are not speaking up. The real professionals are not speaking up. That’s the challenge,” he said.

Referring to recent controversies involving the Fiji Sports Council, Mr Simpson criticised the lack of public scrutiny from professionals.

“People are not speaking up. The real professionals are not speaking up. That’s the challenge; the people who know how to read things and know that things are happening are keeping it in.

“But when I go to a grog session, everyone’s giving their expert views there; I’m learning more things from there than from professionals,” he said.

Mr Simpson also described the silence of experts and educated citizens on national issues as another form of poverty.

“I have come across a time where the national budget was presented, and I could not find an economist or an accountant to speak.”

“That’s the poverty that we have. Another level of poverty. The people who know things much better are not speaking,” he said.

The session, moderated by FijiVillage News director Vijay Narayan, also discussed the impact political instability had on media freedom in Fiji.

“Mainly, the media are also affected by this; every time we’ve had these uncertainties and instability, the media are also targeted, and their freedom is taken away,” Mr Narayan said.

He added that the repeal of the Media Industry Development Act in 2023 marked a significant moment for press freedom.