BY INDY MAEALASIA
THE Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) is calling on regional governments, donors, and tech companies to take urgent action to protect journalists and strengthen media resilience in the age of artificial intelligence.
Addressing Solomon Islands journalists during recent World Press Freedom Day commemorations, PINA President Kalafi Moala outlined three core priorities to ensure media freedom and sustainability in the digital era: protecting journalists, supporting independent media, and investing in media and AI literacy
“Journalists must be free to report without fear—whether on the ground or online. This includes protection from harassment, surveillance, and censorship in the digital sphere,” Moala said.
He emphasized the importance of resourcing public interest media and ensuring independence from political or commercial pressure.
“Independent media must be adequately resourced and protected. That means fair funding models, transparent media regulation, and public trust.”
Moala also called for immediate investment in digital literacy across the Pacific.
“Governments and education institutions must help journalists and communities understand how AI works, how to use it ethically, and how to recognize manipulation and disinformation,” he said.
With the Pacific region no stranger to crisis and change, Moala emphasized confidence in the region’s resilience and capacity to adapt.
“We in the Pacific are no strangers to navigating storms—be they cyclones, crises, or change. But we are also people of resilience, of wisdom, and of collective strength,” he said.
“With the right tools, partnerships, and protections, our journalists will continue to hold power to account, amplify Pacific voices, and report truth in all its complexity.”
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