Journalists today work under great stress and scrutiny – largely under the harsh glare and spotlight of a critical and often unforgiving public, says Fijian Media Association general secretary Stanley Simpson.
He said World Press Freedom Day provided a moment to reflect on the importance of media freedom and pay tribute to the courageous and committed reporting being done by Fijian journalists over the past year.
“Particularly the role Fijian media played in keeping the country informed during the worst of the Covid-19 pandemic, and its great role in keeping democracy alive in Fiji, while media organisations themselves struggle to remain economically viable,” he said.
“They (journalists) reported of people who were fearful of the pandemic and under stress from losing their jobs, while the journalists themselves were fearful and stressed about losing theirs.
“They had to put themselves out onto the frontlines to tell the stories that matter — stories of struggles, stories of loss and emotion, stories and pain and suffering and ultimately stories of resilience and survival.
“As we come out of the pandemic and try to rebuild our lives and our economy and as the country heads towards important general elections — we urge people to continue to respect and commit to the values of media freedom for credible news and information.”