Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka is set to engage with the public through the Fiji Media Association’s “Meet the Public and the Press” event in Tavua today. This Town Hall meeting, the first for the Western Division, will take place at the Golden Event Centre from 7 PM to 9 PM and will be streamed live on major social media platforms throughout Fiji.
Stanley Simpson, the general secretary of the Fiji Media Association (FMA), emphasized that these town hall meetings are crucial for promoting a culture of democracy in Fiji. He highlighted the initiative’s objective of ensuring that leaders are accountable and responsive to the needs of citizens, especially from areas that are often overlooked. “We are particularly focused on areas that have not had much opportunity to be heard outside of the Capital City and the main urban centres,” Simpson stated.
The Tavua meeting is part of a larger initiative to foster meaningful interactions between the government and the public, using media channels as a bridge. A follow-up town hall is planned for tomorrow at the Kshatriya Hall in Ba, also scheduled for the same hours.
These town hall forums, organized by major Fijian media organizations, signal a commitment to encourage civic engagement and enhance transparency within governance. They aim to address urgent community issues and provide a platform for citizens to communicate directly with government officials on diverse matters such as health, education, and infrastructure.
The support from the FMA reflects a proactive stance towards strengthening democracy in Fiji and acknowledges the importance of open dialogue between the government and its citizens. As these town hall meetings unfold, they are poised to revitalize public trust in the political process, fostering accountability and constructive dialogue integral to the governance landscape of Fiji. The initiative underscores an optimistic future for civic engagement in addressing community needs and concerns, reinforcing the foundation of a responsive government.