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Pacific Media Summit: Focus on AI Policy and Integrity

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2026-09-28 05:34 UTC → 2026-09-29 13:33 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The 8th Pacific Media Summit in Savusavu, Fiji, has highlighted a critical need for strategic AI adoption and formal policy development within regional newsrooms. While the summit emphasized the theme of ‘Reaching the Remote: Media and Digital Innovation for a Connected Blue Pacific’, recent research underscores significant gaps in how technology is currently being integrated. A study by Other Labs, supported by Google, surveyed 42 newsrooms across 11 countries, revealing that many organizations are experimenting with AI without formal strategies. The research found that 39 newsrooms lack formal AI policies, and 36 respondents use personal or mixed accounts, which creates risks regarding confidential information and lacks a proper audit trail. Industry experts have reinforced the necessity of a ‘human-in-the-loop’ approach. Kevyn Wahuzue, founder of Kanaky Tech and creator of Pasifika AI, noted that while AI can assist with routine tasks like transcription and document sorting, it should not replace human judgment or community relationships. Wahuzue cautioned that “trust in Pacific journalism doesn’t come from speed,” suggesting that AI-generated content should be treated as a tip rather than a verified fact. Wahuzue has further warned Pacific newsrooms against over-dependence on overseas AI providers, urging organizations to maintain control over their own data, archives, and editorial lines to ensure independence. Technical challenges also persist, as major AI tools remain largely ineffective for Pacific languages. Consequently, experts are calling for news organizations to develop internal policies that allow technology to support business operations while maintaining editorial integrity and safeguarding the unique linguistic needs of the region.

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