Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele says press freedom must be matched with responsibility, warning that journalism today is defined not by speed, but by accuracy, trust and its role in protecting peace and national unity.
Speaking at the World Press Freedom Day 2026 event on Monday, Manele told journalists that their work sits at the centre of democracy, but also carries serious consequences for society.
“This year’s theme, ‘Shaping a Future at Peace, Promoting Press Freedom for Human Rights, Development and Security’, speaks directly to the role of the media in our democracy and across the world.”
He said journalists play a key role in connecting citizens to public life.
“From Honiara to our rural communities and outer islands, and across the wider world, journalists help connect citizens to information that shapes understanding, participation, and trust in public life.”
But he stressed press freedom goes beyond reporting.
“It reminds us that press freedom is not only about the right to report, but about its deeper connection to peace, human rights, development, and national security,” he said.
Manele said informed societies build trust.
“Because when people are properly informed, they begin to understand each other and the decisions around them, and from that understanding, trust begins to grow between citizens, institutions, and communities.”
He also acknowledged the risks journalists face globally.
“Globally, journalists today continue to face serious risks, conflict, intimidation, and restrictions on their freedom, simply for doing their work.”
He said many lose their lives in the course of duty.
“The pursuit of truth continues to come at great personal cost. Recent international reporting from organisations such as UNESCO and the Committee to Protect Journalists has recorded that journalists continue to lose their lives in conflict zones, and in the course of their duties across several regions of the world.”
Manele said Solomon Islands remains fortunate.
“The reality is clear: In too many places, journalism is still practiced under risk when reporting on crime, governance, and security. These realities remind us of something important today. We are fortunate to be gathered in a peaceful nation.”
He described media as a bridge between government and people.
“In this context, we see the media as the vital bridge between the Government and the people.”
He said journalism also holds power to account.
“In a democratic country, your role is to ensure that information flows both ways—translating policy into public understanding, and bringing the voices of the people into the halls of decision-making.”
But he warned that peace is fragile.
“As a people with lived experience of conflict, we understand that peace is not guaranteed. It is fragile, and it is something we must actively protect every single day. The media carries a unique burden in this protection; for while words can build a nation, they can also tear it apart.”
Manele said the Government for National Unity and Transformation supports media independence while improving access to information.
“The Government for National Unity and Transformation recognises the media as an independent institution essential to this stability.”
Since 2024, he said government engagement has improved.
“Since 2024, we have worked to strengthen our engagement through regular press conferences and improved access. Through the Government’s national connectivity program, more than 60 telecommunications towers have already been completed, expanding access to information and strengthening participation in public life.”
However, he warned about misinformation in a connected society.
“But greater access also brings greater responsibility. In a connected society, misinformation can travel quickly, and its impact can be far reaching. In some cases, it can deepen division.”
He said credibility now matters more than speed.
“In this environment, journalism is no longer defined by being first, it is defined by being right.”
“Because while anyone can share information, not everyone applies the discipline of verification, and while many voices contribute to public discussion, it is professional journalism that provides the context, clarity, and balance that the public depends on.”
On technology, he added: “Technology may change how stories are told, but it does not define trust, ethics do.”
Manele also addressed international reporting on Solomon Islands’ media environment, saying assessments must reflect current realities.
“We welcome a fair and balanced assessment that looks at where we stand today, rather than where we stood in the past.”
He said engagement is key to accuracy.
“We believe that direct, ongoing engagement ensures the narrative about our country is anchored in real-time dialogue and ground-level facts, rather than perceptions formed from a distance or through a filtered lens.”
Turning to the national broadcaster, he rejected claims of government control.
“I want to address this head-on.”
“We are all aware of the discussions, and the international reports, that suggest the SIBC has fallen under the direct control of the Prime Minister’s Office. I want to address this head-on.”
He said the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation remains vital.
“In our archipelago, the SIBC is a lifeline.”
“For more than 70 years, the National Broadcaster has been the unifying force that binds our islands together.”
He stressed financial support does not equal control.
“Supporting the national broadcaster financially does not mean controlling its voice.”
“A public subvention is not a purchase of loyalty; it is a commitment to public service.”
He added: “True press freedom is not measured by the absence of government support, but by the presence of editorial independence.”
Manele also acknowledged challenges facing journalists, including funding pressures, advertising reliance, and gender-based barriers.
“We also recognise that women in media continue to face additional challenges, including harassment and barriers to advancement that extend beyond the workplace into family and social life.”
He said engagement structures already exist through the Media Association of Solomon Islands.
“This is where the role of MASI is critical.”
“My message to the media is that the avenues for professional engagement are already in place.”
As the country approaches 50 years of independence, he reflected on the media’s historical role.
“Over five decades, our institutions have strengthened, our society has evolved, and our national identity has taken shape. Throughout this journey, the media has played a vital role, recording our history and contributing to national understanding.”
Looking ahead, he told journalists their work will shape national memory.
“As we look toward the next fifty years, the pen and the lens remain in your hands. It is your work that will define how future generations remember our progress.”
“Press freedom is not only about the ability to speak but also the responsibility to inform, to protect truth in an age of noise, strengthen trust in an age of uncertainty, and preserve unity in an age of division.”
“Happy World Press Freedom Day.”
