Rosi Doviverata, president of the Fiji Media Association, has issued a passionate call to the media community to ensure that fear does not silence their vital role in representing Fiji. Her remarks came during the Fiji Achievement in Media Excellence Awards (FAME Awards) ceremony held at the Novotel in Lami on Saturday evening. Doviverata expressed her gratitude to the media professionals present for their unwavering commitment to truth, despite facing numerous challenges over the past 16 years under the leadership of the Bainimarama government.
“To all the newsrooms represented here tonight—every editor, photographer, designer, and producer—thank you for keeping the story of Fiji alive,” Doviverata remarked. She acknowledged the sacrifices made by journalists, including their early mornings and late nights, the difficult stories they covered, and the emotional toll of reporting on both hardships and triumphs.
As the evening unfolded, she emphasized the importance of not allowing fear to compromise their mission. “Let us make one promise: never again will we let fear silence the industry that speaks for Fiji. Thank you for standing for truth, even when it wasn’t easy,” she stated.
Doviverata urged journalists to aspire to high standards of excellence in their work. She encouraged them to go beyond basic reporting practices, reminding them that, even in challenging times, the media has consistently served the people of Fiji. “We kept telling stories, we kept showing up, we kept serving our people, and look at us now—back here finally breathing, finally celebrating excellence again,” she said.
The event signified not just the revival of an awards night but also a broader resurgence of confidence, pride, and commitment to excellence within the Fijian media landscape. Reflecting on the progress from 2007 to 2025, she concluded, “We did not break; we got better.” Through her words, Doviverata illuminated a hopeful future for the media industry in Fiji, emphasizing resilience and a revitalized dedication to journalistic integrity. Each media house, she asserted, has something substantial to celebrate and stand upon.