By Pita Ligaiula in Savusavu
The media plays a critical role in good governance by providing communities with the information they need to make informed decisions, Acting British High Commissioner to Fiji Stephen Lysaght says.
Speaking at a welcome dinner for delegates attending the 8th Pacific Media Summit in Savusavu Tuesday, Lysaght said the media was central to the Pacific tradition of talanoa and to how communities discuss issues and shape decisions.
“Fundamentally, that is what the media does for all of our countries,” Lysaght said.
He said talanoa brings people together to understand problems, exchange information and respectfully discuss issues before making decisions for their communities.
“When there is an issue, when there is something that needs deciding, people come together and they talk. They understand what the problems are. They talk respectfully to each other. They have the right information.”
“And through the common wisdom of the crowd, they make better decisions for themselves and for their communities.”
Lysaght said journalists faced pressure to get their work right, often working long hours in a profession that was not always easy.
“It is not always the easiest profession. It’s hard work, I know. It’s late hours. There are many pressures to get it right,” he said.
He acknowledged that government officials could sometimes be frustrated when media reports were inaccurate, but stressed the wider importance of journalism.
“It is tremendously important what you do, and the benefits are felt by everyone all across the country and all across the region,” Lysaght said.
He highlighted Fiji’s proposed new Constitution, which was laid before Parliament on Tuesday, as an example of the media’s role in supporting public participation.
“In the next days and weeks, there will be a nationwide Talanoa. And it will be conducted through the good work and integrity of many of you in this room,” he said.
Lysaght said Fijians would have the opportunity to discuss what they wanted for their communities and their future.
“It will be respectful, and in the end of that process, whatever Fijians decide will be a great outcome.
“But it would not be possible without what the media does in Fiji, in the region, and beyond,” he said.
Lysaght also highlighted the Pacific’s upcoming climate discussions, saying the media would be important in communicating the region’s priorities to the wider world.
He said the Pacific would come together at the upcoming pre-COP meeting in Nadi to voice its priorities on climate change and seek international support.
“All of this is not possible without the professionalism, the skills, the dedication of the media, and all of you that work in it,” he said.
Lysaght thanked Pacific journalists for their work and wished delegates well for the week-long summit.
“On behalf of the British High Commission, the British Government, I’d like to say a big thank you for all that you do,” he said.
