Members of the Media; and
my FEO family
Ara na yadra, and a Victorious Morning to you all.
As you are aware, the Campaign Period for the upcoming General Election commenced on 25 May 2026.
Following the commencement of the Campaign Period, and the publication of the list of public places approved for placing campaign materials, the Fijian Elections Office is conducting a series of Campaign Restrictions Workshops for key electoral stakeholders, including the media, civil society organisations, political parties, candidates, and other stakeholders.
Today’s session is specifically focused on you, our media partners.
The purpose of this workshop is to provide clarity on the legal provisions that guide your roles and responsibilities during the Campaign Period. We will take you through the relevant requirements under the electoral laws, including what is permitted and what is restricted during this period.
You will also be provided with an overview of restrictions applicable to other electoral stakeholders, including political parties, candidates, and civil society organisations, to assist you in understanding the broader campaign environment.
I wish to emphasise that this workshop is purely informative. It is intended to ensure that media organisations have a clear understanding of the electoral framework and the laws relating to campaigning.
To all our journalists present here today, the media plays an important role in ensuring that Fijians receive accurate, balanced, and timely information during an election.
If you are unsure about any election-related matter or require clarification on a story you are working on, please reach out to the Fijian Elections Office. Our team is available to provide clarification and guidance.
During this period, I encourage you to verify information before publication and avoid reporting based on assumptions. Accurate reporting contributes towards transparency and helps strengthen public confidence in the electoral process.
As we proceed with today’s workshop, I encourage you to ask questions, engage in discussions, and provide feedback on how we can continue working together to better inform Fijians during this Campaign Period.
With those few words, I now declare the Media Workshop on Campaign Restrictions open.
I wish you all a productive and informative workshop.
