THE Pacific needs a coordinated regional approach to strengthen information resilience as misinformation, artificial intelligence (AI)-generated content and online scams become increasingly sophisticated, according to a new paper from the Pacific Security College.
The paper, Information resilience: the new frontier for Pacific cooperation, authored by security and development expert Blake Johnson, proposes a Pacific Information Resilience Statement to strengthen the region’s information environment amid growing geopolitical attention and digital disruption.
Johnson, who researches misinformation and disinformation in the Pacific, said the region is entering a new information era that offers opportunities but also creates new vulnerabilities.
“We’re seeing a rise in false information, AI-generated impersonations of politicians and other public figures, and increasingly sophisticated cyber scams. These often have immediate real-world consequences, but they also slowly erode trust. People don’t know what to believe,” he said.
He said the Pacific should approach information resilience in the same way it approaches climate and digital resilience, recognising it as a shared regional challenge that cuts across development, security and sovereignty.
“At its core, this proposal is about protecting trust,” he said.
“Trust allows governments to communicate effectively during crises. It enables communities to identify credible information and respond calmly during periods of disruption. It strengthens democratic confidence and social cohesion.
“Where cybersecurity protects systems, information resilience protects people, trust and decision-making.”
Johnson said a unified regional statement would allow Pacific countries to draw on one of their greatest strengths — regional cooperation.
“A regional statement would provide a practical framework for cooperation, guide future regional initiatives and help align external support with Pacific priorities,” he said.
Pacific Security College Director Professor Dave Peebles said the way information was created, shared and consumed across the region was changing.
“Given the borderless nature of digital technologies and information flows, no country can address these challenges alone,” he said.
“Regional cooperation will be essential if the Pacific is to strengthen its collective capacity to navigate an increasingly complex information environment.”
The paper draws on insights from four regional experts with backgrounds in journalism and media, misinformation and disinformation, and peace and security: Associate Professor Shailendra Singh, Ofani Eremae, Fane Fakafanua and Sharon Bhagwan-Rolls.
Associate Professor Singh, Head of Journalism at the University of the South Pacific, said using climate change as an analogy highlighted the seriousness and urgency of the information resilience challenge.
“With inaction or insufficient action, not only is climate change gaining momentum, but its impacts are also worsening, with some scientists concerned about reaching a tipping point,” he said.
He said the same situation applied to the information space, where the risks posed by false information, scams, and AI-generated content were widespread and becoming harder to address and eradicate once established.
“Given the enormity of the information integrity challenge, the Pacific needs to be proactive rather than reactive,” he said.
In-depth Solomons Editor Ofani Eremae said regional security and resilience discussions had long focused on physical infrastructure and climate adaptation.
“While those threats exist, the invisible erosion of our information ecosystem poses an equally severe risk to our democratic institutions, social cohesion and regional stability,” he said.
“There is no use building state-of-the-art, climate-resilient undersea cables if the content running through them is contaminated.”
Fane Fakafanua, Chief Operating Officer of the Royal Oceania Institute, said information resilience required greater attention and urgency across the region.
“Whilst each country and government is working to combat this issue according to their individual budget, access and priorities, I believe a regional effort through a regional statement will greatly assist in guiding a mutual goal for the islands — one that will help governments work together to find a solution, provide training and support the exchange of ideas,” she said.
Sharon Bhagwan-Rolls, Network Coordinator of the Pacific Women Mediators Network, said new technologies offered opportunities to support education, elevate diverse voices and empower women.
However, she warned that these technologies could also perpetuate exclusion and online harassment, while threatening peace and security.
“Digital resilience will require a clear strategy for governments and civil society to ensure communication rights give women the agency to advocate for their needs and shape national and regional peacebuilding strategies,” she said.
SOURCE: PACIFIC SECURITY COLLEGE
