“For voters to participate confidently in an election, they need access to timely, accurate, and reliable information. This is where your role becomes especially important.”
These were the words of the Supervisor of Elections (SoE), Ms Ana Mataiciwa, while opening the Media & Elections Reporting Training today, emphasising that an election is not delivered by the Fijian Elections Office alone; it is a national undertaking that requires institutions, stakeholders, communities and the media to each play their part.
“The media is one of the most important links between the electoral process and the public. Through your reporting, you help voters understand how elections work, what is happening, when it is happening, and, importantly, where they can access verified information,” Ms Mataiciwa said.
“We intend to ensure that when the elections come, you are equipped not only to report what is happening, but to report it accurately and with confidence.”
The SoE reiterated to the participants that they needed to understand the processes. The better they understand how the electoral system works, the better equipped they will be to explain it to the Fijian public.
Ms Mataiciwa said that in an environment where information can travel across the country in seconds, and misinformation can travel just as quickly, accuracy matters more than ever.
The Media and Elections Reporting Training will run for three weeks for all media organisations, covering topics on the legal framework governing elections and the media’s role and responsibilities, fact-checking and the growing challenge of misinformation and disinformation, including content generated through Artificial Intelligence.
Other topics covered are inclusive election reporting, equitable coverage of women and marginalised candidates, and how election information can be made accessible and relevant to Fiji’s diverse voter groups, particularly young people and those living in rural and maritime communities.
