Fiji is now placed 45th in the 2024 Reporter Without Boarder (RSF) index, which evaluates media freedom across 180 countries.
This represents an immense improvement from its previous ranking of 89th in 2023.
The RSF noted the repeal of the draconian and unpopular Media Industry Development Act (MIDA) in April 2023 is an important step forward for the country.
As part of its commitment to the growth and development of a strong and independent news media in the country, the Coalition Government ensured the Media Industry Development Act was repealed in Parliament last year.
In the course of repelling the MIDA Act, 29 parliamentarians voted for the Act to be repealed, 21 voted against it while 3 did not vote.
The RSF added that after 16 years of recurring attacks on press freedom by the former administration, the pressure exerted on the media by civil and military authorities has eased since the election of Sitiveni Rabuka as head of the Republic of Fiji in 2022.
The RSF further noted that the interests of journalists are represented by the Fiji Media Association (FMA), which was often critical of the harassment of the media by the previous administration.
After the repeal of the Media Act, the Fijian Media Association has worked hard to restore independent journalism and public trust in the media, reported the international body.
According to the RSF, “The sedition laws, which were repeatedly used against the Fiji Times, also fuelled a climate of fear and self-censorship, with the threat of sentences of up to seven years in prison.”
