The role of Pacific media in the current geopolitical environment
Channel: Lowy Institute
Date: 2024-03-21

Media professionals from Pacific Islands countries play a crucial role delivering news, analysis, and fact-checking to their communities. They are also playing an increasingly important role as analysts and commentators outside the Pacific. Geopolitical competition in the region has sparked international interest and the demand for Pacific perspectives, insights and cultural understandings has surged.

While geopolitics is driving news coverage, it’s also placing new pressures on already strained newsrooms. Most operate on thin budgets and political interference is common.  
Despite the pressures, increasing global connectivity and interest in the Pacific islands opens opportunities. 

Recently, Dr Meg Keen, the Director of the Pacific Islands Program at the Lowy Institute, sat down with three Pacific media leaders to discuss the critical issues affecting media and reporting on geopolitical issues in the region, their experiences in bringing Pacific news to the world and how to ensure Pacific perspectives are heard widely.
Dr Keen was joined by:

Neville Choi
President of the PNG Media Council and former Editor-in-Chief of The Independent

Rosi Doviverata
President of the Fijian Media Association, Acting Publisher and CEO of Fiji Sun and co-founder of Women in Media Fiji

Viola Ulakai
General Manager of the Tonga Broadcasting Commission.