THE Media Association of Solomon Islands (MASI) has commemorated World Press Freedom Day on 5 May 2025 at the Heritage Park Hotel.
Held under the theme “Reporting in the Brave World: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media,” the event brought together MASI executives, media houses, individual members, and key stakeholders to reflect on the changing media landscape and discuss the future of journalism in the country.
The program featured a series of panel discussions focusing on the challenges and opportunities currently shaping the media industry.
Session 1: The State of the Pacific Media Report
Presented by Priestly Habru,a PhD candidate at the University of Adelaide, this session highlighted the current state of media in the Pacific region, with a particular focus on developments and challenges facing the Solomon Islands.
Session 2: Panel Discussion – The Role of Civil Society in Media Independence
This discussion brought together representatives from civil society, the media, and government to examine how civil society contributes to safeguarding independent journalism.
Panelists included:
Ruth Liloqula, CEO, Transparency Solomon Islands, Johnson Honimae, veteran journalist and CEO, SIBC and George Herming, Director, Government Communications Unit
Session 3: Dialogue – Media Sustainability in a Challenging Economic Environment
The final session focused on the economic pressures affecting local news organizations. Discussions centered on the sustainability of media operations amid financial constraints and whether the current advertising market can continue to support a free and independent press.
Panelists included:
Robert Iroga, Senior Journalist, Founder & Publisher, Solomon Business Magazine (SBM), Moddie Nanau, Head of Sales, Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation and Moffat Mamu, Senior Journalist, Solomon Star Newspaper.
