Online Safety Commission

01/09/2026

🎙️ MEET OUR PANELLIST: FILIPE BATIWALE

Filipe Batiwale is Fiji’s Online Safety Commissioner and a lawyer.

Since his appointment in February 2025, he has led efforts to strengthen the Commission’s response to online abuse, improve complaint and referral pathways, expand public awareness and community outreach, and deepen cooperation with law enforcement, government agencies and international partners.

He has also helped advance the independent review of the Online Safety Act 2018, including the process leading to the Terms of Reference signed by the Attorney-General and the appointment of the Law Reform Commissioners.

Filipe previously practised in Brisbane and Sydney, operated his own legal practice in Australia, and served as a Crown Prosecutor in New Zealand, where he handled cases involving sexual crimes and online exploitation.

His broader legal career has principally been in commercial law, alongside experience in criminal prosecution, technology, regulation and public policy.

He is admitted as a lawyer in the Northern Territory and the State of Queensland. He is admitted on the Roll of Practitioners of the High Court of Australia, and is enrolled as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand.

He currently holds a practising certificate in Fiji.

He brings this experience to the Commission with a clear purpose: to build a practical, trusted and effective online safety system that protects the Fijian public and keeps pace with evolving technology.

Fiji’s Online Safety Commissioner Filipe Batiwale joins fijivillage Straight Talk for a LIVE Public Forum:

ONLINE SAFETY: CONNECTED AND PROTECTED?

Have questions about online abuse, online safety or your rights in the digital space? This is your chance to be part of the conversation.

📅 Friday, 4th September
⏰ 7PM
📍 CFL Boardroom, 231 Waimanu Road

🎟️ WANT TO JOIN THE LIVE AUDIENCE?
Apply here: https://forms.gle/px43noRH3VtwbVP67

Seats are limited and selected applicants will receive confirmation.

📱 Watch LIVE on fijivillage Facebook, YouTube and X.

31/08/2026

The Online Safety Commission (OSC) yesterday had the opportunity to participate in a Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) training facilitated by UNFPA Pacific.

The training strengthened employees’ understanding of expected standards of conduct, prohibited conduct, and the appropriate reporting pathways for suspected or actual incidents of sexual exploitation and abuse.

The session also provided an opportunity for OSC employees to reflect on the Commission’s PSEA Policy and its practical application, not only within the workplace but also in the delivery of OSC’s mandated functions.

As OSC personnel regularly engage with complainants, members of the public, children, communities and other stakeholders through complaint handling, awareness programmes and other activities, the training further strengthened employees’ understanding of the importance of ensuring that these interactions are conducted safely, respectfully and professionally, and remain free from sexual exploitation and abuse.

OSC remains committed to maintaining a safe and respectful workplace while ensuring that the same standards of safeguarding, accountability and appropriate conduct are reflected in the way the Commission engages with and serves the wider community.

30/08/2026

18/08/2026

OSC is pleased to have supported the Fiji Law Reform Commission in bringing together government agencies, civil society, UN agencies and partners to validate the findings and proposed recommendations from the review of Fiji’s Online Safety Act 2018.

This review comes at an important time. The nature of online harm continues to evolve, including technology-facilitated gender-based violence, and our laws and systems must be able to respond effectively while protecting the rights and safety of people across Fiji.

We are grateful for the continued partnership and support of UNFPA Pacific, UNICEF Pacific and all stakeholders who have contributed to this process.

The work now is to ensure that the recommendations from the review lead to practical, workable and sustainable reforms that strengthen online safety in Fiji.

Vinaka vakalevu to everyone who has contributed to this important work.

28/07/2026

Online Safety Commission: Reports Overview (January - July 2026)

22/07/2026

17/07/2026

10/07/2026

The Online Safety Commission was honoured to partner with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) at the Pacific Youth Digital Resilience Forum.

Today's programme featured engaging discussions on a range of important topics, including virtual assets and digital finance, Fiji's digital future and emerging cyber risks for young people, understanding the scam ecosystem and how youth are targeted online (facilitated by the Online Safety Commission), cybercrime and the legal landscape in Fiji, and a panel discussion on our shared responsibility for building a safer digital Fiji.

The discussions were insightful and the panel session provided an excellent opportunity to exchange ideas on strengthening online safety and digital resilience. During the panel discussion, the Online Safety Commission encouraged the young participants to become ambassadors for online safety by sharing the knowledge and lessons gained from the Forum with their families, friends and communities. While forums such as these are valuable, lasting impact is achieved when the information shared extends beyond the venue and reaches the wider community.

09/07/2026

We are proud to share this milestone as the Online Safety Commission delivered its first Online Safety Awareness Program for a municipal council in Fiji at Lautoka City Council.

A special highlight of the session was the participation of the Chief Executive Officer, whose presence underscored the Council's strong leadership and commitment to fostering a safer digital environment for its staff and the wider community.

Together, we're building a safer and more responsible online Fiji.