Taiwan human rights delegation visits Fiji to explore regional collaboration on media rights and press freedom

Image: Dr Shailendra Singh, Head of the Journalism Programme, welcomes a high-level delegation from Taiwan’s National Human Rights Commission, including Vice-Chairperson Hui-jung Chi, Commissioner I-chang Hong, Executive Secretary Hsiao-han Tsou and Specialist Yi-ching Tsai. They were accompanied by Ambassador Joseph Chow and Division Director Jason Huang from the Taipei Trade Office in Fiji (Source: Supplied).

The University of the South Pacific’s Journalism Programme at Laucala Campus in Suva welcomed a high-level delegation from Taiwan’s National Human Rights Commission on Friday, 14 November, during a special goodwill visit that underscored growing regional cooperation on media rights and press freedom.

The delegation, in Fiji for the Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions conference at the Sheraton Resort in Nadi, used the visit to recognise the Journalism Programme’s long-standing contribution to academic research, media development and the advancement of press freedom across the Pacific.

Led by Dr Shailendra Singh, Head of the Journalism Programme, discussions centred on shared challenges facing media and human rights practitioners. These included mounting threats from artificial intelligence, misinformation, disinformation, fake news and hate speech — global issues that continue to undermine public trust and journalistic integrity.

The meeting also highlighted critical concerns around media rights, the safety and protection of female journalists, and the urgent need for state support for struggling media organisations, many of which are facing severe financial pressures and an existential crisis.

Representatives from the Taipei Trade Office in Fiji also joined the dialogue, which extended to prospective areas of collaboration such as academic research partnerships, student and staff exchanges and further capacity-building support for USP’s Journalism Programme.

The four-member Taiwanese delegation comprised Vice-Chairperson Hui-jung Chi, Commissioner I-chang Hong, Executive Secretary Hsiao-han Tsou, and Specialist Yi-ching Tsai. They were accompanied by Ambassador Joseph Chow and Division Director Jason Huang from the Taipei Trade Office in Fiji.

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