By President, Kalafi Moala
On this World Press Freedom Day, we gather under a powerful and timely theme: “Shaping a Future at Peace: Promoting Press Freedom for Human Rights, Development, and Security.”
Let me be clear—there can be no lasting peace without truth. And there can be no truth without a free and independent media.
In the Pacific, we often speak of unity, stability, and development. But these aspirations cannot be achieved if journalists are silenced, if media organisations are pressured, or if laws and systems restrict the free flow of information.
Across our region, we are seeing both warning signs—and encouraging progress.
In Samoa, the ongoing pressures and legal challenges faced by the Samoa Observer serve as a reminder that even long-established media institutions remain vulnerable. These situations raise serious concerns about the use of legal and political pressure that can have a chilling effect on press freedom.
At the same time, we acknowledge positive developments in Papua New Guinea, where the government and the Media Council of Papua New Guinea have taken steps toward a more consultative and constructive dialogue. This kind of engagement shows that partnership—not confrontation—is the pathway forward.
Here in Fiji, we recognise the progress made in recent years toward a more open media environment. But we also note that vigilance is still required to ensure reforms are sustained, that media independence is protected, and that journalists can operate without fear or undue influence.
Beyond policy and politics, we face another growing challenge, the rapid spread of misinformation and disinformation across digital platforms. In small island states, where information ecosystems are fragile and resources are limited, the impact can be immediate and damaging, undermining public trust, fueling division, and threatening social cohesion.
At the same time, many Pacific media organisations are struggling to remain financially viable. Without sustainable, independent media, press freedom itself is at risk. A weakened media sector cannot effectively serve the public interest.
These realities highlight a simple truth: the state of press freedom in the Pacific is not uniform. It is contested, evolving, and requires constant vigilance.
Press freedom is not a threat to governments, it is a safeguard for our democracies. It is how citizens participate. It is how leaders are held accountable. And it is how trust is built.
If we are serious about human rights, development, and security, then we must also be serious about protecting those who inform our people.
The Pacific Islands News Association calls on all governments in our region to move beyond statements of support and take concrete action:
• Review and reform laws that limit media freedom
• Ensure the safety and protection of journalists
• Support the sustainability and independence of media organisations
• And engage openly with the media as partners in national development
At the same time, we in the media must uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism. Credibility is our greatest asset. Without it, we weaken the very freedoms we seek to defend.
As Pacific people, we understand that peace is not simply the absence of conflict—it is the presence of justice, transparency, and inclusion.
If there is to be peace in our nations, there must also be truth in the information that shapes them.
So today, I leave you with this: “A peaceful Pacific cannot be built on silence. It must be built on truth. And truth depends on a free and fearless media.”
Let us not treat press freedom as an ideal to be discussed once a year—but as a responsibility to be defended every day.
Approved for release by the PINA President, Kalafi Moala, kalafiml@gmail.com
