Government of the Republic of Fiji
Government of the Republic of Fiji
12/21/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/20/2025 16:01
MINISTER TABUYA URGES CYBER-KINDNESS
'Choose kindness always.'
This was the message from the Minister for Information, Hon. Lynda Tabuya, to the people of Nausori as she closed the 2025 Miss Tebara Festival yesterday (20:12:2025).
Highlighting the dangers of online abuse, Hon. Tabuya urged everyone to be kind and mindful of the words they use, the comments they make online, and the content they share with others.
"Think before you click. Pause before you post," Hon. Tabuya said.
"The digital platform can help us to move forward, but it can also destroy someone's life. Let's choose kindness and choose to protect and love one another."
The Minister noted that being a public figure exposes individuals to online criticism and negativity, something she has personally experienced.
"To our queens, you are now public figures, each of you, so we will recognise them everywhere they go, but that means that they are now public figures, and while they will have a platform and a voice to speak on a matter or a cause that matters to them, they also will invite the dark side of being a public figure, and I know that personally and that is online abuse and online violence.
"I'm sure you're already seeing it online, where there are a lot of unfair comments, unfair criticism, where you may not have the opportunity to respond, or you will see that there are a lot of strangers, a lot of trolls, a lot of faceless enemies and opponents. But as queens in this festival, as you continue to face this criticism, I just want to assure you that as you go through this, while it is not acceptable, I want each of you to know and to show strength. To show strength and do not be swayed by what you hear or see behind the keyboard, instead, write your own words, words that inspire, words that empower, and words that uplift."
Hon. Tabuya encouraged the young girls in the audience to continue pursuing their dreams.
Miss Gulam Supermarket Laisani Blake was crowned Punjas Fiji Miss Tebara 2025.
This was the message from the Minister for Information, Hon. Lynda Tabuya, to the people of Nausori as she closed the 2025 Miss Tebara Festival yesterday (20:12:2025).
Highlighting the dangers of online abuse, Hon. Tabuya urged everyone to be kind and mindful of the words they use, the comments they make online, and the content they share with others.
"Think before you click. Pause before you post," Hon. Tabuya said.
"The digital platform can help us to move forward, but it can also destroy someone's life. Let's choose kindness and choose to protect and love one another."
The Minister noted that being a public figure exposes individuals to online criticism and negativity, something she has personally experienced.
"To our queens, you are now public figures, each of you, so we will recognise them everywhere they go, but that means that they are now public figures, and while they will have a platform and a voice to speak on a matter or a cause that matters to them, they also will invite the dark side of being a public figure, and I know that personally and that is online abuse and online violence.
"I'm sure you're already seeing it online, where there are a lot of unfair comments, unfair criticism, where you may not have the opportunity to respond, or you will see that there are a lot of strangers, a lot of trolls, a lot of faceless enemies and opponents. But as queens in this festival, as you continue to face this criticism, I just want to assure you that as you go through this, while it is not acceptable, I want each of you to know and to show strength. To show strength and do not be swayed by what you hear or see behind the keyboard, instead, write your own words, words that inspire, words that empower, and words that uplift."
Hon. Tabuya encouraged the young girls in the audience to continue pursuing their dreams.
Miss Gulam Supermarket Laisani Blake was crowned Punjas Fiji Miss Tebara 2025.
Government of the Republic of Fiji published this content on December 21, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on December 20, 2025 at 22:01 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]