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.
Journalists should know the difference between reporting the story and becoming the story.
This was the message sent to the University of Fiji’s Journalism and Media Studies students by the Vice Chancellor Professor Shaista Shameem to commemorate Press Freedom Day, celebrated internationally on May 3rd.
To examine the essential high bar qualities of reporting, the University’s Journalism and Media Studies staff and students will host Fijian journalists to the film ‘Civil War’ on Thursday 7th May at 7 pm at the UniFiji Central Campus Lyceum in Suva.
Professor Shameem said the 2024 dystopian film depicts veteran and rookie journalists trying to cover a war-torn America and a government in crisis. The plot follows a group of war journalists travelling from New York to Washington DC to interview the President of the United States before rebels take the capital city, she said.
There is no better film to highlight the role of journalists as professionals occupying the highest moral ground, which is often slippery and unclear, she said.
“The University’s JMS Programme is focused on teaching journalism beyond sound bites or picking stories out of social media. We need our students and graduates to understand the duty of a reporter, and that is to report. Personal beliefs, politics and prejudices should be left at the door when you, as students, arrive in the classroom on the very first day in the JMS Programme”, Professor Shameem told the students.
Journalists should also know that their job is a dangerous one. Despite best efforts at protection, no one can guarantee safe passage for journalists. They must enter the profession, not as any job, but as a vocation.
They must aim to uphold the highest standards and derive strength from that principle. “Journalists are like soldiers, knowing that they do the job at their peril, but doing it anyway. Those are the journalists that history will remember”, Professor Shameem said.
She said the film ‘Civil War’ depicted the joys and pitfalls of press freedom in stark reality unmatched by any lecture notes that the JMS course could provide and would also serve as a refresher for established journalists in Fiji.
The University of Fiji has called for stronger action to protect tuna stocks and sustain the livelihoods of Pacific communities, as the world marks World Tuna Day.
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Shaista Shameem, said tuna remains vital to Fiji’s economy, food security, and future development, but is increasingly under threat from climate change and overfishing.
“Tuna is not just a resource for Fiji, it is a lifeline for our people, our economy, and our future,” Professor Shameem said.
“As ocean temperatures rise due to climate change, tuna stocks are shifting to cooler waters, reducing availability in our region. Combined with overfishing and illegal fishing, this poses a serious threat to sustainability.”
Professor Shameem said Fiji’s commitment to international frameworks such as the Biological Diversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, which came into force in January 2026, is a critical step towards protecting marine biodiversity and ensuring sustainable fisheries.
She warned that small Pacific Island nations, including Tuvalu, Kiribati and the Marshall Islands, are expected to experience significant declines in tuna stocks by 2050, with wider impacts likely across the region.
“These changes will not only affect food supply but also national revenues and livelihoods across the Pacific,” she said.
Professor Shameem highlighted the direct impact of the tuna industry on local communities, particularly in Levuka.
“The Pacific Fishing Company (PAFCO), located near our Levuka Campus, supports thousands of Fijians through employment in fishing and processing. These opportunities have enabled many families to access education, including sending their children to the University of Fiji.”
She noted that student numbers at the University’s Levuka Campus have doubled in 2026, reflecting the growing link between industry, community, and education.
Marking this year’s theme, “Sustaining Tuna, Sustaining Nations,” Professor Shameem said the message is clear.
“If we do not protect our tuna resources, we cannot sustain our nations. We must adopt responsible fishing practices, strengthen enforcement against illegal fishing, and protect our oceans for future generations.”
She also called on young people to play an active role in safeguarding marine resources.
“We encourage our youth to take leadership in protecting our oceans, from reducing plastic waste to advocating for sustainable fishing practices. The future of our oceans is in their hands.”
