Fake news at this day and age travels faster and further on social media sites.

Many local news outlets find the emergence of social media an opportunity to share information instantly as it happens but fake news remains a challenge.

Fiji Broadcasting Corporation News Manager, Indra Singh says online platforms are becoming a dominant source of information and it’s important for the media to verify details.

“It includes news journalists, sports journalists, online journalists and younger journalists who are coming through the system. Fake news is becoming a prevalent thing in the world and here at home as well.”

Communications Fiji Limited News Director, Vijay Narayan says nowadays people can post anything on social media – which can be false or intentionally misleading.

“According to the code of ethics which was developed by the media council and which is taken word for word in the media decree – it clearly states that everything that you print and broadcast has to be verified and accurate and it has to be factual”

Fiji Sun’s Managing Editor Training, Nemani Delaibatiki says journalists have a responsibility of reporting on facts.

“As a part of mainstream media – we ensure that whatever we give the public or the readers is the truth. That means we have to verify whatever comes out of social media.”

Fijians have been urged to be cautious of the information they extract from online platforms as fake news can have an impact on people’s opinions on various issues.