As the world marks World News Day, journalism stands firm in Fiji

On Monday, Fiji joins the world in marking World News Day 2025, a campaign built on the theme “When Facts Truly Mattaers.” It is a reminder that fact-based reporting remains the barrier between truth and falsehood, between accountability and impunity. For Fiji, this message carries special weight. 

Only two years ago, the Coalition Government repealed the Media Industry Development Act (MIDA), a law that for more than a decade gave Government-appointed authorities broad powers to restrict content, impose heavy fines, and control newsroom operations.

Journalists faced the threat of prosecution, while editors operated under fear of sanction. Its removal in April 2023 was not simply a legal change; it was a victory won after years of campaigning by the Fijian Media Association and others who called MIDA a direct assault on press freedom. 

But the fight is not over. Despite the repeal, reporters and photographers still face harassment, both verbal and physical. Court appearances of high-profile accused and cases of interest have too often turned into sites of intimidation, with journalists assaulted or blocked from doing their work. Online abuse has also grown, targeting individual journalists in ways meant to silence them. 

Fijian Media Association general secretary Stanley Simpson recently said: “We are still only humans” when confronted with constant abuse. Yet he also acknowledged the resilience of those in the profession, noting that despite the threats, “Fiji’s journalists have done well under difficult circumstances.” 

As we observe World News Day, we also remember journalists worldwide who have paid the ultimate price in pursuit of truth. In 2024 alone, at least 124 journalists and media workers were killed globally, marking it the deadliest year on record for the profession. These individuals, including those targeted in conflict zones like Gaza and Yemen, exemplify the risks faced by journalists committed to reporting the truth. 

World News Day is not about celebrating media for its own sake. It is about recognising the role journalism plays in protecting democracy, exposing wrongdoing, and giving citizens the information they need to make decisions. In Fiji, this role is especially vital as the nation grapples with corruption, rising social pressures, and the need for transparency in governance. 

The next stage for Fiji’s media is not only resilience but growth through stronger self-regulation, improved protection for journalists, and deeper trust with the public. The media cannot stand alone; it needs society’s backing. As the world observes World News Day 2025, Fiji must affirm that its journalists will continue to stand firm, undaunted by threats and determined to serve the truth.