The Women in Media (WiM) Fiji conference saw a sharp exchange this week as veteran journalist Lice Movono challenged the Online Safety Commission’s (OSC) handling of online abuse and the support offered to victims.
Movono accused the commission of shifting responsibility onto victims instead of pushing for systematic protections and legal action. Her criticism followed comments from commission official Tajeshwari Devi, who cited past cases where victims were re-traumatised after pursuing court action.
Ms Devi said those who had taken their complaints to court needed to grow a “thick skin to re-attempt all questions and answer” as victims would be asked repeatedly about their experiences, often reliving the trauma.
Movono hit back, calling it a “cop out”.
“You talk about the trauma that a court case would do,” Movono said.
“We all know that we cover it on a daily basis. But there are protections in a winning report, you could get an expression on it. You could get protection so that the media don’t cover it. It feels like a cop-out.”
She also questioned the commission’s ability to influence tech giants, noting that even government ministers had admitted they had little sway over global platforms.
In response, Ms Devi outlined the commission’s current legal limitations.
She said the Online Safety Act was under review, with new provisions expected to give the commission both prosecution powers and regulatory authority over tech companies.
“I can assure you that majority of the components that have been previously missed out will be covered and we will definitely announce for the public consultations once all due processes are followed,” Ms Devi said.
“We are working with the tech companies and definitely we are working towards it, once the review of the legislation is done, then definitely we will have more powers to regulate those tech companies and also prosecution powers.
“In terms of survivor support, I will reassure you that the commission is also definitely working with the Women’s Crisis Centre, with Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection, we are definitely working with a lot of women’s groups.
“And we are going out also to the communities and spreading the words of online safety.”
