Rosi Doviverata the Fiji Media Association’s president challenged every young female journalist present in the room during the Fiji Achievement in Media Excellence Awards (FAME) to never wait for permission and that they know where they belong and their voices are needed.
While speaking during the FAME awards at Novotel in Lami, Doviverata thanked everyone for being resilient during those dark days the media industries went through while Bainimarama led the government.
She said, “This is not just a return of an awards night, it is a return of confidence a return of pride and a return to excellence.
“When I look at our industry from 2007 to 2025 one thing stands out, we did not break, we got better and every media company in Fiji has something tall to stand on. Doviverata thanked a number of media companies including The Fiji Times.
“With the 150 years and counting The Fiji Times has built a legacy for all media companies.
“Through some of the toughest years, including the editor being dragged through the courts they always kept the flame of independent journalism and that flame guided many of us.”
Doviverata is one of the co-founders of the “Women in Media Fiji” and is proud to watch the movement grow, following their first ever national conference which was held this year.
“This year we held our first ever national conference and women from across Fiji and the Pacific sat together to talk about leadership, wellness, explored funding sources, sports journalism and life in the newsroom.
“And tonight, as we celebrate let us make one promise, never again will we let fear silence the industry that speaks for Fiji.
“So to newsrooms represented here tonight, to every editor, photographer, designer and producer thank you for keeping the story of Fiji alive.
“Thank you for the early mornings, the late nights, the deadlines, the storms you covered, the political fire that you absorbed, the heartbreaks that you wrote about, and the victories that you shared.
“Thank you for standing for truth, even when it wasn’t easy, especially when it wasn’t easy.
” As we step into this new era, let us urge our media colleagues and the industry to strive for excellence in every facet of our work. Let’s go beyond the basic of news reporting.
“We must do better, because if we fail, our country risks slipping further into social, political, and public health decline.
“Let’s dig deeper beneath the surface of ministerial statements and corporate publicity and we must hold the powerful accountable, whether they are high-ranking ministers, company chief executives, or members of the security services and neighbourhood gang lords.
“Excellence demands that we challenge the status quo, ask the hard questions, and uncover the stories that matter to most in our communities.
“Media is not just an industry, it is a national service, and a national good, a public trust, and a calling. Congratulations to all our nominees and winners tonight.”
While speaking during the FAME awards at Novotel in Lami, Mrs Doviverata thanked everyone for being resilient during those dark days the media industries went through while Bainimarama led government.
