Govt to invest in Online Safety Commission

Government needs to invest in the Online Safety Commission.

Litigation partner at Munroe Ley Lawyers, John Apted raised this issue while highlighting 'Breaking Barriers: Increasing Female Participation in Local Government Elections in Fiji' at Tanoa Plaza on Tuesday night.

Among the various issues raised, Mr Apted said social media was one of the greatest impediments to women entering politics.

"The media is much less powerful now than it used to be, the reality is the action is all on social media," he said.

"Fiji's social media is extremely cruel, sexist, destructive especially of women and gays who are usually the ones vilified and given spotlight.

"Most people will know of popular platforms like Chat Fiji and its various forms and how their daily and personal and intimate photos are put up; those kinds of exposure when gone unchecked is a great disincentive to women entering the sphere.

Mr Apted said although there were legislations put in place to hold these people accountable, no government investments have been made to push for these legislations.

"Online Safety in terms of providing budget, personnel, public awareness and so on," he said.

"This is an area that needs urgent attention if women are going to feel more empowered to put themselves out in the public."

Mr Apted called on women to complain to the government and push for government investments on this as it helped in encouraging them when entering this sphere.

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