On this date in 2014, we were heading into pre-polling as part of the count-down to the general election that year.
September 17 was earmarked as the big day.
On the ground, there was a bit of a mixed reaction at the time.
Some voters believed pre-polling was a practice-run.
Some believed they could still vote on September 17 if they missed their dates. Some even claimed they were not aware of the dates they were supposed to vote on.
All the same though, it was encouraging to see people actually making their way to cast their votes in many parts of the country on the opening two days.
We know this because we recorded this.
Such is the power of the media!
We are in a position to document history as it unfolds.
We reported on the transition from the old format of voting to the new system in 2014.
In February 2016, we wrote about the frightening impact of the monster Category 5 Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston.
We documented the devastation, deaths and rehabilitation process.
Then there was the amazing gold medal win by Ben Ryan and our national 7s rugby side at the Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil that same year.
Today is a very special day for The Fiji Times.
We celebrate a milestone, and once again have an opportunity to remind ourselves about the important role we play in the mechanics of life in our beautiful nation.
We turn 150 years old today.
From a newspaper started by George Littleton Griffiths in Levuka on this day in 1869, we have grown into what we are today.
Settlers at the time were still taking little steps on the path to nationhood.
A former editor of the newspaper, the late Sir Len Usher, on October 15, 1962, described those early days, sharing a glimpse of the life of the people of Levuka.
The Cyclopaedia of Fiji which he referred to, stated, “In 1869, when Mr Griffith landed in Levuka, there was no form of government whatever … considering the freedom from restraint which the settlers enjoyed, every man doing as he thought right in his own eyes, the community was an exceedingly orderly one, and comparatively few disturbances occurred. For the first two years… the press played an important part in the preservation of order.”
Our journey started at a time when Fiji was slowly struggling to realise its potential.
Over the years, The Fiji Times has witnessed many changes, from positive developments to independence, and on to the first of a number of military coups.
Today we continue to be the voice of thousands of people who trust The Fiji Times brand.
We realise the work we do isn’t one for the faint-hearted. But it has to be done.
If not for the information that people need to make well informed decisions daily, then it is to hold power to account.
We are not anti-government, and neither are we pro-government.
But we are very much pro-Fiji. We value our place in society, and the role we know we can play to move our nation forward.
We will continue to strive for fair, balanced and credible news with emphasis on integrity.
Today we start a journey of discovery, looking back at how we covered the years.
We invite you to be part of what we hope will be an amazing journey as we celebrate our milestone.
We will revisit many momentous occassions that happened on our watch. We have watched our nation develop over more than a century.
We take great pride in doing what we do.
Our men and women carry a brand that believes in the ideals of good journalism.
Today, we also have an opportunity to thank you our loyal reader for your continued support.
You are the reason we are committed to do what we do, and we have great pleasure in serving you.
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