(PINA/IFEX) – On 21 May 1998, Samoa’s main independent news organisation, the daily newspaper “Samoa Observer”, said it would stop attending news conferences by the official Government spokesperson. An editorial written by the paper’s editor-publisher, Savea Sano Malifa, called the news conferences held by Deputy Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malilelegaoi a “mockery of justice being […]
(PINA/IFEX) – On 21 May 1998, Samoa’s main independent news organisation,
the daily newspaper “Samoa Observer”, said it would stop attending news
conferences by the official Government spokesperson. An editorial written by
the paper’s editor-publisher, Savea Sano Malifa, called the news conferences
held by Deputy Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malilelegaoi a “mockery of
justice being perpetrated in the guise of press conferences.” The “Samoa
Observer” joined several Samoan representatives of overseas
news organisations who have stopped attending the news conferences, which
are also broadcast on the government-run national radio and television
stations.
The “Samoa Observer” said they “have become an insufferable joke.” It added:
“It is not uncommon for him to belittle reporters who ask hard questions by
saying they were out of line, or were inferior intellectually. Then he
simply ignores the question and moves on
supercilliously to another reporter. This has been frustrating. But it is
not surprising that reporters are still attending his conferences. This is
because their job is to ensure that the free flow of information is not
hindered in any way. They also know that the government’s views are
important in achieving that purpose. Still, there is a limit to
everyone’s patience. What is clear is that Tuilaepa’s blind bid to control
the media the way the Government is controlling Parliament is pathetic and
autocratic.”
According to PINA members in Apia, the Samoan capital, Tuilaepa in recent
years has regularly used the news conferences to attack the “Samoa Observer”
and Malifa. When the paper, which is published in English and Samoan, sent
an English-speaking reporter to the news conferences Tuilaepa switched from
using English to Samoan. On 15 May 1998, Tuilaepa announced the Government
would fund defamation actions by Government ministers and senior officials
against what he called news reports
“slanderous of leaders of the country.”
Background Information
In recent years, Samoa’s independent news media and journalists have faced
increasing pressure after highlighting stories alleging growing corruption
and abuse of public office. The “Samoa Observer” printing plant was burned
down under highly suspicious circumstances; Malifa was assaulted by
relatives of a government minister; government advertising was withdrawn
from the newspaper; threats were made to impose newspaper licensing; and a
law was introduced requiring journalists in libel actions to reveal
their sources. The “Samoa Observer” and its staff currently face criminal
and civil libel actions. Government ministers have also discussed
withdrawing the licence of the country’s only independent radio station
which carries news bulletins. The government-run national radio and TV
services are heavily government-controlled and the government restricts the
Opposition’s access to them (see IFEX alerts).
