The Fiji Government is committed to ensuring the safety and security of journalists, says Ministry of Climate Change and Environment permanent secretary Dr Sivendra Michael.
Speaking at the World Press Freedom Day celebration at the University of the South Pacific (USP) on Friday, Dr Michael said there was a need for ethical and investigative journalism now more than ever.
“The Government of Fiji has demonstrated its commitment towards freedom of press, and we have been working collaboratively to ensure the safety of our journalists,” he said.
“We recognise that a free press is not a choice, but a necessity.”
Referring to this year’s theme “A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis”, Dr Michael said the world was at a critical juncture where more needed to be done to protect the environment.
“Our people need to know about our challenges, and our responses to the ever-growing threats posed to our environment. Journalists and media workers have a key role in informing and educating them.
“Fiji and many Pacific Island Countries are not quite known in the global media for the frontline truths that our communities continue to experience.
“We can easily address the gaps in knowledge by working together with our local and regional media friends, who can be instrumental in highlighting the stories about the environmental injustices that our communities experience on a day-to-day basis.”
He said journalism was not an easy profession, and it was one which had to be grounded on multiple values, particularly, trust, impartiality, and integrity.
“I honour my fellow journalist friends and regard them as fearless and daring individuals. They are the voice for the voiceless.
“However, it is imperative to address specific issues of disinformation, particularly with the growing reliance on social media.
“In light of this realities that we will continue to face, it is imperative to separating facts from propaganda and hold stakeholders to account to facilitate access to information is a critical component of ethical reporting.”