FIJI has climbed 16 places to 24th out of 180 countries in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index, marking one of the biggest improvements recorded in the Pacific.
The ranking was highlighted by Niue senior journalist Esther Pavihi during the introduction of Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka at the opening of the 8th Pacific Media Summit in Savusavu yesterday.
Fiji was ranked 40th in 2025, with its 2026 score placing it at 24th globally, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
Pavihi said the media environment had changed after repeal of the Media Industry Development Act in April 2023.
“Fiji had previously ranked 102nd in 2022 before making significant gains in subsequent years.
“On April 6 2023, little more than a hundred days into this Government, Parliament repealed the Media Industry Development Act.
“The regime that had governed your newsrooms since 2010, the authority, the penalties, the fear was gone.”
She said the 2026 RSF ranking places Fiji behind New Zealand, ranked 22nd, but ahead of Australia at 33rd.
She said the progress was significant for a country hosting a regional gathering of journalists and media organisations.
