Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has publicly apologized to journalists who were left waiting outside the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) during a recent signing event for a Memorandum of Agreement with representatives from the Pacific Catastrophe Risk Insurance Company (PCRIC).
Addressing the situation, Rabuka acknowledged a significant communication breakdown regarding media access and invitations. He noted that the Prime Minister’s Office had not been informed that journalists had been invited by the event’s organizers. “We weren’t aware that you had been invited by those responsible for the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement with the insurance, the catastrophe insurance people, and we apologise for that,” Rabuka stated.
The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of coordinating media attendance at events featuring the Prime Minister or other ministers through official government channels. Rabuka made it clear that there must be clear communication with media representatives or the director concerning who is invited to such functions.
In conjunction with the Prime Minister’s comments, Webmedia South Pacific, the organization tasked with inviting media representatives at PCRIC’s request, has also issued a formal apology. They explained that media had been notified of the event with less than 24 hours’ notice, operating under the assumption that all necessary protocols were in place between PCRIC and the OPM. However, upon the media’s arrival, it became evident that these protocols had not been finalized, resulting in access issues for journalists.
Webmedia clarified that the incident was not an intentional exclusion of the media, but rather a failure to follow established procedures. They expressed regret over the inconvenience experienced by journalists who attended the event in good faith.
Both Rabuka and Webmedia have committed to ensuring that established protocols will be strictly followed moving forward to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. This acknowledgment reflects a willingness to improve communication and operational processes, fostering a more cooperative relationship with the media.