The Mission Director of USAID Pacific Islands, Ms. Zema Semunegus,
Electoral Commission of Fiji Commissioners Nemani Mati and Ratu Inoke Loganimoce,
The IFES Country Director Pacific, Ms. Pascaline Krone,
Excellencies Members of the Diplomatic Corp,
Respective Heads of Organizations and Statutory Bodies,
Members of the Media,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
‘Ara Na Yadra and a Victorious Morning to you all.
It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all this morning on behalf of the Fijian Elections Office and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems, better known to us as IFES.
We are grateful to have you, our respective stakeholders, present here today. Your presence is a testament to your dedication to supporting the work of the FEO in upholding integrity in our electoral processes.
We stand at a crucial juncture in our democratic journey. Our elections, a cornerstone of our freedom, faces an insidious threat -the spread of disinformation and harmful speech. Disinformation is more than just false information; it is a strategic effort to undermine trust in our electoral system and divide our community. It seeks to cloud judgment, incite division, and erode the very fabric of our democracy. We cannot, and will not, allow these malicious forces to succeed.
In Fiji, as well as in many other countries, the rise of social media has transformed how we communicate and engage with each other. It has allowed us to be expressive to the masses – allowing expressive reactions to numerous issues, this has also allowed social media to become a breeding ground for disinformation and hate speech.
False narratives can spread like wildfire, undermining trust in our institutions, sowing discord among our communities, and ultimately threatening the fairness of our elections. Hate speech, further fueled by disinformation, can incite division and violence, tearing at the very fabric of our society.
The Fijian Elections Office is acutely aware of these challenges. We have witnessed how disinformation campaigns can distort public perception, manipulate voter behavior, and create an atmosphere of distrust.
As guardians of the electoral process, we have a responsibility to confront these threats head-on and safeguard the democratic principles that bind us together as Fijians. Our commitment is to ensure that every citizen has access to accurate and reliable information. Transparency is our shield against disinformation and we urge you to rely on official sources for your information.
In addition, collaboration is essential. No single person or entity can tackle this issue alone. We are excited to be working closely with civil society, media, political parties, other government institutions, and international partners like IFES and the support from USAID and the PROJECT Governance. We are here today to develop strong strategies to identify and counter disinformation, ensuring that accurate information is available to all Fijians everywhere. Your presence and enthusiastic cooperation are essential to this mission.
The fight against disinformation and hate speech, especially in Fiji, is not the FEO’s alone, it’s ongoing, and it requires our collective effort. It requires the vigilance of every citizen to be critical of the information they encounter. I, therefore, encourage us all to always verify the information we receive before we share it and engage in conversations and spread awareness about the importance of fact-checking. By doing so, we become guardians of truth and defenders of our democracy.
We must also recognize the need for strong legislative frameworks to combat disinformation. We need to work closely with lawmakers to ensure there are robust laws and regulations that hold spreaders of disinformation accountable, without infringing on the freedom of speech that is so vital to our democracy.
Media literacy must also be made an integral part of our curriculum, equipping future generations with the skills to navigate and scrutinize the vast information landscape. An informed electorate is our best defense against the tides of disinformation.
Nevertheless, unity is our greatest strength against those who seek to divide us. Let us stand together, regardless of our political affiliations, in defense of the truth. By fostering a community spirit and a commitment to factual discourse, we can build resilience against these threats.
We must remain vigilant and proactive, constantly adapting to new challenges and opportunities. Our goal is clear – to ensure that every Fijian can participate in a fair, transparent, and inclusive electoral process, free from the corrosive effects of harmful and manipulative narratives.
As we move forward, let us remember that the strength of our democracy lies in the integrity of our elections and the unity of our people. Together, we can build a resilient society where diverse voices are heard and respected and where our democratic values are upheld in our information environment.
Thank you for your ongoing commitment to this vital cause. While participating in your various break-out groups, I urge you to be honest with your feedback and suggestions. We are all here to work together and collectively to combat the threats of disinformation and harmful speech for elections in Fiji. Today is only the beginning.
With those words, it gives me great pleasure to declare the Countering Threats of Disinformation and Other Harmful Speech for Elections in Fiji Workshop open. May the LORD continue to bless you and keep you, may his face shine upon you and be gracious to you and may HE give you peace.
Thank You.
