THERE couldn’t be a better time to hold the inaugural “Fiji Government Communications Conference” in Suva than now.
Minister for Information, Environment and Climate Change Lynda Tabuya said the initiative has been years in the making and is expected reflect ongoing efforts to strengthen coordination between government communication teams and public officials.
She noted that the timing of the conference is significant, particularly in light of the increasing need for effective and responsible communication.
“It’s actually good timing, we need to be aware of these things,” Ms Tabuya said. “We need to be mindful as we engage these public officials with the media or the public.”
Ms Tabuya said public officials have a duty to engage openly with the media and the public.
“That is our duty as public officials.”
When questioned on whether media liaison officers would be responsible for speaking on behalf of ministers, Ms Tabuya said this was not the intended approach.
“That is something that we hope is avoided, because we would like the ministers themselves to speak to the media.
“Because when you approach ministers, that is the decision maker, that is the highest authority. So when the public sees that as well, they know it’s coming from the decision-maker authority.”
She added that communicators play a supporting role in preparing ministers for public engagement.
“This is also the message we will be sharing with our communicators, that they prepare their ministers well.
“That they prepare them well for any interview when the media wants to speak.”
