The University of Fiji commemorated World Press Freedom Day on Thursday evening with a special screening of the 2024 film Civil War followed by an engaging public discussion on the role of journalism during times of conflict and crisis.
The event, organised by the University’s Journalism and Media Studies students and staff under the UniFiji Press Club, was held at the Lyceum, UniFiji Central Campus in Suva and attracted students, academics, journalists and representatives from media organisations.
Vice Chancellor Professor Shaista Shameem shared her reflections on the importance of press freedom and responsible journalism in democratic societies, drawing from her own experiences working within media, legal and public institutions.
She spoke about the role of the journalist as witness during times of conflict and crisis, and the increasing need for ethical, courageous and independent reporting in an era shaped by misinformation, political polarisation and technological change.
Professor Shameem said journalism remained one of the most important pillars of accountability and public awareness. She encouraged Journalism and Media Studies students to appreciate the responsibilities that come with reporting truthfully and fairly, particularly during times of social unrest and uncertainty.
The screening of Civil War generated lively discussion among attendees, with participants exploring themes of war reporting, journalist safety, media ethics, propaganda, censorship and the emotional toll experienced by frontline reporters.
Representatives from several media organisations also participated in the discussions, including Vijay Narayan from CFL, who shared valuable industry insights and perspectives on the realities of modern journalism and the importance of maintaining public trust in the media.
Students actively engaged in the question and answer session, raising critical questions about media neutrality, misinformation, press freedom and the responsibilities journalists carry when covering conflict and humanitarian crises.
The University event reflected continued commitment to fostering critical thinking, ethical journalism and meaningful public dialogue through its Journalism and Media Studies programme.
World Press Freedom Day is observed annually on May 3 to recognise the importance of a free and independent press and to honour journalists around the world who continue to risk their lives in pursuit of truth and accountability.
