Technology-Facilitated Threats Silencing Pacific Journalists
By Amantha Perera, 11 February 2026
In the tightly-knit communities of the Pacific Islands, journalists like Iva Nataro of the Fiji Sun are facing an escalating crisis: technology-facilitated threats (TFTs) that are increasingly silencing their voices and undermining their work. These online dangers — ranging from abusive messages to dangerous threats — are becoming more frequent and severe, leaving journalists vulnerable both professionally and personally.
A Daily Onslaught of Online Abuse
For Nataro, the day can begin with chilling messages such as, "We will burn down the Fiji Sun," flooding her screen. These are not idle threats. They include explicit threats to destroy the Fiji Sun’s office and harm its staff. On multiple occasions, the newspaper had to report these threats to the police. Yet, this type of harassment is now a familiar, distressing part of many Pacific journalists’ lives.
The increase in these technology-driven threats has been particularly pronounced since the global COVID-19 lockdowns forced many to shift to remote work. Online platforms, where journalists promote their stories and engage with audiences, have become arenas for abuse—often blurring the line between personal and professional spaces. Social media’s pervasive nature means exposure to threats can be relentless and inescapable.
Close-Knit Communities, Complex Challenges
Unlike larger, more anonymous urban settings, the close social fabric of Pacific Island communities complicates matters. As Island Sun editor Irwin Angiki and other journalists describe, the likelihood of knowing or guessing the source of threats is high, even when posts are anonymous. This proximity adds emotional weight and community pressure. Journalists are expected to act as impartial gatekeepers while simultaneously facing hostility from neighbors, local officials, and even influential community members.
A journalist from Vanuatu highlighted this dilemma poignantly: "Sometimes when you go to church on Sunday, you meet everybody—the politician, the police chief, the influencer… and they all expect you to be the journalist and nothing else."
The Hidden Toll on Journalists and Their Reporting
Many journalists lack training to identify and manage the psychological and professional impacts of TFTs. This gap leaves them overwhelmed and uncertain about how to continue their work safely. The culture of being “thick-skinned” in journalism discourages open discussion about the hurt caused by online abuse. According to Angiki, many journalists suppress their pain, adhering to a "bullet-proof" mentality that hinders transparency and support.
The consequences can be severe. Some junior journalists contemplating leaving the field entirely due to bullying. Nataro recalls colleagues at the Fiji Sun seriously considering quitting journalism because the abuse became unbearable. Even those who stay often experience declines in their work quality and output. Angiki shared the story of a junior reporter who, after facing sustained online harassment, shifted to writing safer, less detailed stories, avoiding topics prone to attract criticism.
Women and journalists from minority groups are disproportionately targeted online, facing higher levels of digital harassment according to research in the region.
Capacity Building and Trauma-Informed Journalism
To address this growing crisis, the Centre for Journalism and Trauma Asia Pacific (CJT), in collaboration with Adelaide University, has been leading initiatives to equip journalists with skills to confront these threats. Nataro and Angiki have participated in the CJT AsPac Fellowship programs, which provide training on trauma-informed journalism and specific tools to tackle Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence.
Angiki explains the transformative impact of this training: "Back here we associate trauma with serious stuff like death, serious accidents. But we’ve never associated our work, journalism, with trauma. When I brought back what I learned from Brisbane and shared with my reporters, it was a big shake-up, like we woke up."
Emerging Challenges in a Changing Digital Landscape
The rise of artificial intelligence and automated online platforms is complicating the landscape of TFTs. AI technologies can amplify threats by generating fake content and misinformation at scale, making abuse harder to track and counteract.
Social media giants are also reconsidering moderation strategies. Meta’s announcement to potentially expand its community notes system—a crowdsourced moderation tool currently used in the US—to other regions raises concerns among Pacific newsrooms. This approach, modeled after platform X’s (formerly Twitter’s) community notes, risks creating new vulnerabilities without robust safeguards.
Urgent Need for Contextualized Support
The development of effective responses to technology-facilitated threats must be grounded in understanding the specific information environments of Pacific Island journalists. Generic, one-size-fits-all solutions fail to capture the nuances of local social dynamics and online spaces.
Experts at CJT emphasize that any threat analysis or prevention effort must place the journalist at its center, empowering them to navigate their digital environments safely and sustainably.
Conclusion
As online threats intensify, Pacific journalists face an uphill battle to maintain freedom of expression and public accountability in their crucial work. Support, training, and nuanced strategies are urgently needed to safeguard their safety, well-being, and the health of journalism in the region.
About the Author
Amantha Perera is a researcher, academic, and writer based in Australia. He is completing his PhD at the University of South Australia and serves as director and consultant at the Centre for Journalism and Trauma Asia Pacific.
This article originally appeared on the Devpolicy Blog from the Development Policy Centre, Australian National University.
