Fiji Broadcasting Corporation Newsroom

Journalists play an important role in society and being one comes with one a sense of responsibility to provide the truth to readers.

With World Press Freedom Day today – many local journalists are reminded of their role and how the information they give out affects, educates and forms people’s opinions on various issues.

Fiji Broadcasting Corporation News Manager, Indra Singh says journalism is far more than simple fact reporting – it’s about acting as informants, watchdogs, and storytellers.

“It’s at least one day in the year where journalists get to sit back and get to say hey even though we have fingers pointed, even though we have people say things, we still come and do the job to the best of our ability. The struggles they face. The criticism and more so in recent time.”

Communications Fiji Limited News Director, Vijay Narayan says today marks the struggles of many journalists who have been through countless challenges to get information through to the public.

“When it comes to elections, natural disasters or man-made disasters. You have to ensure that you are ready for it because while everyone maybe rushing off home to be with their family – we may be going the other way into the newsroom to cover the event. Information is power so everything that we report on has an impact on people.”

Fiji Sun’s Managing Editor Training Nemani Delaibatiki during a Fijian Media Association forum also highlighted that it’s important for journalists to get their facts right.

Meanwhile, this year’s World Press Freedom Day theme focuses on “Media for Democracy: Journalism and Election in times of Disinformation.