Pacific Media at Risk of Technological Manipulation, Report Finds

Pacific nations find themselves at a crossroads of technological promise and peril, as the region’s media landscape faces increasing vulnerability to manipulation in the digital age.

The rapid growth of digital technology across the Pacific Islands has brought unprecedented connectivity to a region once characterized by its geographical isolation. From Papua New Guinea to Fiji, Samoa to the Solomon Islands, social media platforms and digital news sources have revolutionized how information flows through island communities.

However, this digital transformation comes with significant risks. Media experts across the region report growing concerns about the susceptibility of Pacific media outlets to manipulation, particularly through coordinated disinformation campaigns and foreign influence operations.

“What we’re seeing is a double-edged sword,” explains Dr. Shailendra Singh, Head of Journalism at the University of the South Pacific in Fiji. “On one hand, technology has democratized information access in ways we couldn’t imagine a decade ago. On the other, it has created pathways for bad actors to exploit our relatively nascent digital media ecosystem.”

The vulnerability stems from several interconnected factors. Many Pacific media organizations operate with limited resources, making comprehensive fact-checking and digital security measures difficult to implement. Traditional journalism in the region is also adapting to digital platforms without the institutional safeguards that larger global outlets have developed over years of online experience.

A recent study by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat found that more than 60 percent of news content shared on social media platforms in Pacific countries contained either misleading information or lacked proper verification. This problem is compounded by the region’s high internet usage rates coupled with relatively low digital literacy.

Geopolitical tensions have further complicated the media landscape. As China, Australia, the United States and other powers compete for influence in the strategically important Pacific region, information has become a tool for advancing national interests. Several documented cases show coordinated attempts to shape public opinion in Pacific nations through targeted media campaigns.

“The Pacific has become a testing ground for various forms of information manipulation,” notes Jonathan Pryke, Director of the Pacific Islands Program at the Lowy Institute. “The region’s strategic importance has made it a target for sophisticated influence operations that local media institutions aren’t always equipped to identify.”

Some Pacific nations have begun implementing measures to address these challenges. The Papua New Guinea Media Council has established a fact-checking unit specifically focused on digital content, while Fiji has introduced media literacy programs in secondary schools. Regional organizations like the Pacific Islands News Association have also developed workshops on digital security and verification techniques for journalists.

Technology companies are facing increasing pressure to take responsibility for their platforms’ role in the issue. Meta (formerly Facebook) has expanded its fact-checking partnerships in the Pacific, while Google has funded digital literacy initiatives in several island nations.

“We need a multi-stakeholder approach,” says Katalina Tohi, a Tongan journalist and digital rights advocate. “This isn’t just about media organizations being more vigilant—it requires education systems, tech platforms, governments and civil society working together to build resilience against manipulation.”

Despite these challenges, the technological revolution continues to offer significant benefits for Pacific media. Digital tools have enabled more diverse voices to reach audiences, empowered citizen journalism in remote communities, and allowed Pacific stories to reach global audiences.

The path forward requires balancing these benefits against the risks. Experts emphasize that solutions must be tailored to the unique context of each Pacific nation rather than importing models from larger countries with different media ecosystems.

As Pacific nations navigate this complex digital landscape, the stakes extend beyond just information integrity. The manipulation of public discourse threatens democratic processes, social cohesion, and regional stability—issues of particular importance in a region already grappling with climate change, economic development challenges, and geopolitical pressures.

The future of Pacific media will likely be determined by how successfully these island nations can harness technological benefits while building the necessary safeguards against manipulation. The outcome will have profound implications not only for information ecosystems but for the political and social development of the entire Pacific region.