The Fijian Media Association is calling on journalists to grow a thick skin while covering this year’s build-up to the General election as well as during the campaign period.

FMA General Secretary and former Journalist, Stanley Simpson, says journalists need to understand and take threats and comments thrown at them from party supporters and politicians with an open mind.

Simpson says this is a very crucial time for all journalists as reporting will get more intense in the coming months.

“They will have to understand and appreciate they will take attacks from both sides during the campaign as it will get intense and during campaigns there will be a lot emotions. This is important so we’re developing a guidelines and as FMA we’re mindful that journalists need to operate in conditions that are conducive for media freedom which allows them to do their work without fear.”

Simpson says journalists must begin preparing well now for what is going to be a challenging and testing year for the country.

The Association is also reminding journalists to ensure stories are credible, there’s integrity and it must be balanced.

Simpson adds media houses must also hold refresher courses on journalist’s ethics as its very important for the public to get balanced stories.