This speech was delivered by Stanley Simpson, General Secretary of the Fijian Media Association and Director and Editor of Mai TV, at USP Journalism’s World Press Freedom Day celebration on 5 May.
I am honoured to be here today, as a former student, and as someone who has walked the same corridors you walk, sat in the same lecture rooms, and had the same questions you have today: How can we tell stories that matter? What kind of journalist do I want to become? And how do I stay true as a journalist yet still make some money and have a career that can look after myself and my family?
I have been asked to speak on Strengthening Media Independence and Sustainability.
This is something I have fought for and grappled with for a long time. Independence is hard in a world where there are so many complicated relationships to manage; you try to report and be independent in the face of your own bias, your culture, your religious and political leanings, from the sports teams you support, the politicians you may be friends or even grew up with or went to school with, the companies that advertise in your media organisations…the businessmen who take you to lunch, who invite you to their cocktail parties, the race or ethnic group you are part of…and more.
There is a need and a demand for journalists and the media to be independent and we are often called on to make much more sacrifices rather than people in other industries. During the 2006 coup, while the highly paid lawyers, politicians, corporate CEOs and managers, heads of institutions and even heads of civil society sat in the comfort of their homes commenting on social media and via fake accounts and blogs – demanding that the media take on and expose the military government – it was the underpaid journalists who often come from struggling backgrounds who were sent to the frontlines so to speak – to try to interview the military at checkpoints, or call and intimidating military officers to get a comment on a sensitive issue and often get sworn at or abused in return. These journalists could not hide their faces and their names, they could not hide behind fake accounts or anonymity, – they had to front up and ask the tough questions head on. They were not commenting or posting on social media from the comfort of their living room – but facing people, standing in front of them, or trying to catch them or doorstop them. They bore the brunt of suppression and intimidation head on.
When the media asked very hard questions, the military and their supporters accused them of not being independent – when they asked questions not deemed strong enough the anti-coup political parties and supporters accused them of not being independent.
And there is a lot of hypocrisy amongst politicians and political players when it comes to media independence. Recently Fiji media editors – while on a trip to the US – was attacked by a political party (Fiji Labour Party) for visiting the Wonderful Company farms – owners of Fiji Water. The party said the media was lured by plane rides, sumptuous food and gifts and nothing short of submitting to corrupting influence. We were OK to be criticized and be held to account – and the people can judge us by our reporting.
But this criticism was from the same political party that joined the military regime and ruled with it after 2006, and was silent when journalists were beaten, threatened and put in cells for questioning the undemocratic behaviour of the military. They didn’t speak out for media independence in 2006-2007 when they were with the ruling regime but doing so now.
Independence – while difficult and challenging – is a must in the media industry for it to maintain its credibility. We must be able to think and speak and write and report freely on any matter or on anyone.
I do think that there is a misconception in Fiji – that being independent means you cant have contacts or relationships. There is a need to build your networks – and be able to access and get information from a wide variety of sources.
In fact, strengthening media independence means it being able to talk to everyone and all sides. Get all views and present in a fair, balanced and accurate manner.
The media can only be sustainable if it is independent, and the media can only be independent if it is sustainable. Journalists have to eat too, and media organisations also have bills to pay – in order to do our work.
Today, as we mark World Press Freedom Day, we gather at this great institution to reflect on a simple yet profound truth: media can only be truly sustainable if they are genuinely free. And we need democratic, political and governance structures to be in place, together with a culture of responsible free speech, believed in and practiced by our leaders and the people of Fiji.
I want to outline Fiji’s media journey since 2006 to illustrate.
Before 2006, Fiji’s media thrived. We were fiercely independent. We criticized leaders without fear. Cartoons mocking political leaders and Commodore Bainimarama were printed openly. Back then, being critical wasn’t brave—it was normal. Fiji’s media companies were largely financially stable, sustained by government and private advertising in a small but healthy market.
Then came the coup of December 5, 2006, and a lot changed overnight.
Journalists were explicitly warned: “Stop criticising or face consequences.” Soldiers physically entered newsrooms, shutting down presses, and threatened journalists and took them up to camp for a talking to. Sitiveni Moce, a talented photographer, was beaten while doing his job—he never fully recovered from his injuries and eventually lost his life. Editors and publishers like Russell Hunter from the Fiji Sun and Evan Hannah from the Fiji Times were deported for reporting inconvenient truths. Fellow journalists like Pita Ligaiula, Dionisia Tabureguci were among those put in jail cells for their reporting, and those like Imraz Igbal were severely beaten. Some were taken up to camp for a run or talking to.
At that critical moment, when media freedom was under siege, some political leaders and political party chose silence or complicity instead of defense. Their silence emboldened further attacks. To get into bed and in power with the military regime – they turned a blind eye or stayed silent as media rights and journalists were being smashed. They didn’t believe strongly enough in media freedom to speak out. By the time they were finally chewed up and spat out by the military government – and spoke out – the damage had been done.
The government swiftly realized direct intimidation alone wasn’t enough; the media kept finding a way to report.
So they targeted the media financially. Government advertising—a crucial revenue source—was abruptly withdrawn from critical outlets like the Fiji Times, Fiji TV, and MaiTV. Private companies received quiet but clear warnings: advertising with these “anti-government” media might cost their own businesses. As media houses struggled financially, they couldn’t invest in essential infrastructure like cameras, fuel, or competitive journalism.
Running a proper media company costs at least $1 million a year—a difficult task when major revenue streams were deliberately dried up.
Simultaneously, the state broadcaster—Fijian Broadcasting Corporation (FBC)—received enormous support through the PSB grant, up to $10 million a year. This allowed them to dominate the market, forcing independent media into unfair competition. The Television Cross-Carriage Decree of 2014 forced Mai TV and Fiji TV to share exclusive broadcast rights for FIFA and Rugby World Cup, further eroding independent media’s financial viability. This wasn’t just unfair; it was a deliberate strategy to crush media independence economically, and destroy our sources of income.
Yet, suppression didn’t end there. Under public emergency regulations put in place in 2009, all local media outlets were censored with a ban on stories critical of the country’s leaders, and no public meeting could be held without government permission
The media law authorised the Government to censor all news stories before broadcast or publication. Fiji TV pulled Sunday’s 6pm news show due to censorship. Fiji came under emergency rules which limit public assembly and officials from the Ministry of Information were installed in newsrooms, after Fiji’s President axed the constitution. I vividly remember the chilling daily presence of censors who decided what news we could share with the public.
Sunday’s edition of The Fiji Times has a blank second page. Stories and a cartoon are missing from page three, with the paper blaming government restrictions for their absence. The paper was warned not to do this again or be closed down.
One of the most painful events of my journalism career was seeing censors come into our newsroom and take out our stories. Stories that told the truth about what was happening in the country – being deliberately thrown out. Stories our journalists had worked hard to write. Every time I speak about this moment it triggers an emotional reaction and bad traumatic memories.
To legalize this suppression, after international condemnation, the regime introduced the Media Industry Development Decree—MIDA. Presented deceptively as promoting media standards, it was actually a powerful tool of control. Section 22 allowed vague definitions like “against public interest,” carrying fines up to $100,000. Forgetting a simple byline meant fines of $25,000 or imprisonment. MIDA institutionalized fear and silenced critical journalism. $100,000 fine is dangerous for the media as it affects our very livelihood and sustainability.
Top government officials further fueled this environment of fear. Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum frequently ridiculed journalists publicly, discouraging reporters from asking tough questions. Journalism for many became cautious, bland, and self-censoring.
We were attacked by fake accounts and a government funded propaganda machine. It is ironic that those who once attacked the media as irrelevant (because they said no one reads or watches them anymore) now want to be part of the media or run media organisations.
There are entities and individuals that thrived under the previous government with PR contracts while the media struggled, and now want to come and join the hard fought new media landscape, with heavy use of Artificial Intelligence and ChatGPT.
While we want to welcome credible news services, we have to be wary and careful of entities that pop up overnight and their real agendas.
Particularly those previously involved with political propaganda. No issues with them doing opinion – but news is another story. And we are noticing a number of these sites seemingly working with political parties and players in pushing agendas and attacking the media and political opponents.
Criticism of the media is good. It is necessary to keep us in shape as the 4th Estate. But because the media generally don’t respond to critics on social media, I’ve seen attacks become more personal and abusive.
If you have been a journalist in Fiji for the last 5-10 years, chances are you have received a lot of personal attacks and online abuse from various sides, including fake accounts. More than the average. But I’ve seen a lot of journos just take these attacks with a shrug and move on.
In the space where government deliberately tried to weaken and sideline the media, a new voice emerged: social media. Platforms like Facebook allowed citizens and whistleblowers to share suppressed information. However, social media also became a haven for misinformation, highlighting the critical role professional journalists play in society. I believe it came back and bit the previous government again in a big way.
For me personally, those were tough times. I saw talented colleagues leave journalism or the country entirely, their idealism shattered by relentless censorship. I saw journalists like Anish Chand, Merana Kitione and others forced out of the newsrooms. As Director of MaiTV, there were moments I worried deeply if we could even pay salaries or keep the lights on. But I also saw remarkable courage—journalists fighting quietly but persistently for truth, refusing to surrender completely. Some of us left to join PR for a while – better paid jobs, less pressure. Some stayed on – while some of us couldn’t stay away and returned to mainstream.
When you talk about sustainability – Mai TV suffered losses from when I took it on in 2016 until 2024. This year we are looking to break even. My partners and I basically have given everything we got, and I mean everything to keep Mai TV going – because we believe in the media and the industry.
Thankfully, a lot of concerns ended with the repeal of MIDA in 2023. But let’s never forget: the absence of media freedom damages the very fabric of our society. Independent journalism isn’t a luxury—it’s essential. It holds leaders accountable, exposes corruption, and sustain democracy.
The new media landscape is seeing a lot of social media influencers and platforms that often fire off news and views faster than the news media and provide a variety of of options for interviews and opinions. Here, even if they are slower – the news media have to be careful as they must continue to abide by their code of ethics when providing news – verify sources, and ensure fairness, balance and accuracy – something most of these sites don’t have to abide by.
Some of these influencers have been accused of being clickbait social media point scorers – but I think they are important new voices in our democracy and changing landscape. They are many pretend or supposed news sites and accounts popping up – and we have to verify their agenda.
Some of these online entities don’t turn up to news events, or do interviews, they simply gather online information, media releases and articles from other media organisations, and throw them to AI/ChatGPT to rewrite and present as their own. Just put in someone’s byline.
They highlight the unethical dangers in the age of AI – and the dangers to integrity of the industry – plus the differences between a newsroom and social media site.
Anyone can register a media company, or start a FB page, use AI, gain many followers and claim all kind of numbers for viewership and reach, but credibility and recognition takes time.
Fiji media challenges
I will now talk about some key media challenges, and share some realities.
Yes, we now have a more free media landscape with no MIDA hanging over our heads. This government is obviously not perfect and dropping the ball on some key issues – but it has been better to the media than the previous authorities – although that will continue to be tested. The media is holding them to account – although many feel the media can do more.
I believe the Fiji media has done well despite the circumstances – a tribute to the sacrifice of our hardworking journalists who have persevered. Its not easy to be in this industry – attacked and pressured from all sides.
Our journalists see trauma and drama and hostility on a daily basis, and while they may have a thick skin, they are still humans. Media sustainability also means supporting their mental health, ability to respond to trauma and avoid the harmful effects of substance abuse and being away from family etc. Sadly – many of my colleagues in the media have broken relationships and families.
I’m also among the first to agree that the media has dropped the ball on a number of key issues and can do a much better job with their reporting.
But its hard to deliver good journalism when you’re barely staying afloat as a business and you’re trying to economically survive. Its hard to deliver good journalism when the journos you trained for 4-5 years leave the industry for less stressful higher paid PR jobs – and you have to start again. When you don’t have the equipment and technology to compete in today’s media environment.
So we have to build a solid foundation through democratic and governance structures and a culture of respecting and appreciating free speech. Build strong economically sustainable and technologically sound media infrastructures – to bridge the technical divide. Look at viable media business models. Attract and keep good talent. Be well equipped and resourced. Develop committed journalists who can adapt to new technology and have the mindset and drive to ask hard questions, hold power to account and dig deeper into the stories.
Journalists who can be at ease with the people on the ground as well as with Presidents and Prime Ministers. We are working with various partners to address these, and we know it will take time.
These include NGOs, government, the private sector, donors, international foundations, institutions and media support groups, and of course our journalism schools at USP, FNU and Uni Fiji. We are also working at strengthening our internals – which we can only do ourselves.
People who thought the Fiji media would emerge out of 16 years of violence, threats, suppression, censorship, intimidation and fighting for our survival etc and suddenly behave like ABC, BBC or CNN need to think again.
Many fail to appreciate the full scale of the damage to the media industry landscape from the last 16 years. If there had not been a change in government, I believe there would have been no Mai TV, Fiji TV and a few other local media organisations today. We would not have been able to survive four more years.
Some media organisations in Fiji are often 1-2 months away from closing down. We barely survived the last 16 years while many media organisations in places like NZ (TV3, NewsHub etc) have closed down.
A lot of work needs to be done, training and change in mind-set, and infrastructure, resources and technical support required.
The media landscape is changing and it is getting more difficult for media organisations to be economically viable – with the loss of traditional advertising and traditional sources of income and rapidly changing technology.
The era where the Fiji media would survive out of sheer will and guts is over. We need to be more adapt and respond quickly to the changing realities with digital and social media and Artificial Intelligence.
I believe donors and funders can also do more. They can provide some funds particularly for media equipment and technical support. It does not have to be ongoing. If they can fund a 20 million navy patrol boat that ends up on the reef – I cannot see how they haven’t been able to fund some cameras, technology, studio upgrade, Outside Broadcast capabilities that does not even cost a lot by comparison. Unfortunately – they have limited their support to training – but without resources and equipment – training alone will not be effective anymore. The FMA has been addressing these with donor partners.
Journalists today work under the mega spotlight of social media and get attacked, ridiculed and pressured daily – but need to stay true to their journalism principles despite the challenges and pressures they are under.
Today, we stand at a crossroads. To students here at USP—future journalists, leaders, and citizens—remember the previous chapter. Understand the price paid for media freedom. Protect it fiercely. Speak out when it’s threatened, even if it’s unpopular or uncomfortable.
To our nation’s leaders and influencers: defend a free media, even when it challenges you. A healthy democracy requires tolerance of criticism and commitment to transparency.
As we rebuild, let’s ensure our media remains truly independent, both editorially and economically. Real sustainability comes not from government patronage, but from public trust, accountability, and professional journalism.
Our future depends on your voices—brave, informed, and free.
