National Media Reporting of the 2018 Fijian General Elections

This publication presents a quantitative and qualitative content analysis of national media coverage during Fiji’s 2018 general election campaign. It examines how print, television and radio-based news services treated political parties and candidates through the allocation of direct quotation space and airtime, frequency of appearances, positive, negative or neutral portrayal, issue prioritisation and special election programming. The study covers major outlets including the Fiji Sun, The Fiji Times, FBC TV, Fiji One and Communications Fiji Limited’s news service, and provides evidence of significant differences in the visibility and treatment afforded to electoral contestants. It is intended to support more balanced election reporting, greater media accountability and more critical public engagement with political news.