Listen to the article
Fiji Confronts Growing Digital Media Risks as Officials Call for National Response
Fiji must urgently address digital literacy challenges as social media platforms and online risks continue to proliferate across the island nation, according to a senior government official who spoke at a training event in Suva today.
Eseta Nadakuitavuki, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Information, delivered a stark warning that Fiji can no longer treat digital media literacy as optional, highlighting that misinformation, cyberbullying, and online scams present genuine threats to both individuals and national stability.
“The country is not fully prepared for the rapid growth of social media platforms and the complex risks that followed,” Nadakuitavuki told attendees at the Digital Media Literacy Training session. She emphasized that mobile devices have evolved far beyond simple communication tools, describing them as “newsrooms, marketplaces, classrooms and public forums all in one.”
The Permanent Secretary stressed that true digital literacy requires much more than basic social media proficiency. “Be the champion to ensure that we don’t misuse this platform,” she urged participants. “These are not just digital problems. They are human problems. They affect real people like you and I, people that have feelings, real families, and real communities.”
Particularly concerning is the rising tide of harmful online content, including false narratives, fake accounts, AI-generated material, manipulated content, and non-consensual sharing of intimate images. Nadakuitavuki noted that these issues disproportionately impact certain demographics, with “women, young people and vulnerable groups continuing to bear the heaviest burden of online abuse.”
The remarks come as Pacific Island nations grapple with rapidly increasing internet penetration and social media usage, often without corresponding growth in awareness about digital risks. Regional experts have previously noted that limited regulatory frameworks and enforcement mechanisms in smaller Pacific nations can create environments where digital harms flourish unchecked.
Building digital resilience in Fiji will require developing critical thinking skills, information verification habits, understanding legal responsibilities, and recognizing that freedom of expression carries accountability, according to Nadakuitavuki. She called for a coordinated national approach, emphasizing that citizens must take personal responsibility for the quality of Fiji’s online spaces.
The Ministry of Information’s focus on digital literacy aligns with broader regional efforts to strengthen cyber resilience. Several Pacific nations have recently begun implementing national cyber security strategies, often with support from larger regional partners like Australia and New Zealand, who view digital stability in the Pacific as increasingly important to regional security.
Fiji’s concerns mirror global trends, as countries worldwide struggle with the societal impacts of unregulated digital spaces. The World Economic Forum recently identified misinformation and disinformation as among the top global risks for 2024, particularly in regions with emerging digital ecosystems.
For Fiji, with its dispersed population across multiple islands and growing reliance on digital connectivity for economic development, addressing these challenges takes on added urgency. Tourism, a critical economic sector for the country, increasingly depends on digital marketing and online reputation management, making harmful digital content a potential economic threat.
The government’s focus on digital literacy represents an important step in building national resilience against these evolving threats. However, experts suggest that comprehensive approaches must also include appropriate regulation, industry cooperation, and educational initiatives starting from primary school levels.
As Nadakuitavuki concluded in her address, the goal extends beyond simply managing risks to actively creating “a safer digital environment” for all Fijians—a challenge that will require sustained commitment from both government and citizens in the years ahead.
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
14 Comments
This is a timely and necessary call to action. As mobile devices become ubiquitous, the potential for misuse and exploitation grows. Fiji’s efforts to address digital literacy challenges are commendable and serve as a model for other nations facing similar risks.
Agreed. The complexity of these issues requires a comprehensive, long-term strategy. Fiji is wise to prioritize this now, before the problems escalate further.
The Permanent Secretary’s warning underscores the importance of addressing digital literacy as a matter of national priority. Misinformation and online scams can have serious consequences, and Fiji is right to take a comprehensive approach to this issue.
I’m encouraged to see Fiji taking the lead on this. Tackling digital literacy challenges head-on is a wise investment in the country’s future resilience.
Fiji is right to take this threat seriously. As mobile devices become more integrated into daily life, the potential for misuse and exploitation increases. A comprehensive strategy is needed to empower citizens and combat these emerging challenges.
Absolutely, this is a complex problem that requires a multi-faceted approach. Equipping the public with the right digital skills will be crucial.
This is an important issue that requires a national response. Misinformation and scams can be very damaging, especially in the digital age where information spreads rapidly. Efforts to improve digital literacy are crucial to protect individuals and maintain stability.
I agree, digital literacy needs to be a priority. Providing training and resources to help people navigate online risks is key.
This is a critical challenge that many nations will need to confront. The rapid evolution of mobile technology has created new avenues for misinformation and exploitation that can undermine individual and national stability. Fiji’s efforts to improve digital literacy are commendable.
Agreed. Proactive measures to empower citizens and build digital resilience will be essential as these threats continue to evolve. Fiji is setting an important example.
The warning from the Permanent Secretary is well-founded. Misinformation and online scams can have far-reaching consequences for individuals and national stability. Proactive measures to improve digital literacy are a wise investment in Fiji’s future.
I’m glad to see Fiji taking this issue seriously. Digital literacy training is an important step, but ongoing vigilance and adaptation will be necessary as new threats emerge.
Nadakuitavuki raises valid concerns about the threats posed by misinformation and scams in the digital age. Improving digital literacy is crucial to empowering citizens and safeguarding national stability. This is a challenge many countries will need to grapple with.
Absolutely. The rapid proliferation of mobile devices and social media platforms has created new vulnerabilities that require a proactive, multi-stakeholder response.