Tēnā koe,
I, amongst thousands of others in Samoa and the international diaspora, hold major concerns regarding Samoa’s interim Prime Minister’s exclusion of a major newspaper from government media access.
It is welI known that the fourth estate is a pivotal part of any healthy and well-functioning democracy. To exclude them from any forum particularly the state and governmental press releases, is dictatorial and lacks transparency which is one of the basic tenets of any healthy civil society, peace and good order.
It follows therefore that the recent announcement by the interim Prime Minister of Samoa to ban the Samoa Observer from their media stand ups and releases is an absolute affront to the peace and good order of Samoa that we are accustomed to since our independence in 1962.
The announcement to put it simply and clearly is shocking and appalling. It speaks to the intelligence or lack thereof of those behind it. Most pointedly, it’s an announcement that will come with major consequences to Samoa’s economy and reputation.
We do not have to look far beyond the bounds of the Pacific region or time to understand the consequences of democracy breaking down. Fiji and the Solomon Islands come to mind as well as the riots in Tonga.
The common denominator in all these unfortunate significant events of history was the breakdown of democracy and the loss of freedom of the press subsequently. Notwithstanding, the word still got out to the international community through foreign media outlets and to say these island nations suffered many consequences afterwards is an understatement. Their recovery took decades and even then, their reputations are forever tarnished with the International Money Fund, Asian Development and many aid funding streams from many international donors.
It seems to me that this announcement was based on a personal vendetta by one man to feed his uncontrolled and unaccountable ego and more disturbingly, he was not advised by his advisors of the considerable extent by way of damage, of this decision.
I understand that international aid is slowly drying up and this announcement undoubtedly will be the final nail in the coffin.
Furthermore no one has heard from or know the whereabouts of JAWS. Their silence is deafening, and their political leanings are now clear as day. Their inaction is now politicised by many, and rightly so I might add. It means that whatever little reputation they may have had is now in tatters. I am also seeking advice now as to what consequences may be brought on JAWS given their inaction.
In any event, let me spell it out clearly to the PM and his cohorts some of the fundamental principles that they all seem not to have considered when making this silly and frivolous decision.
1. Impacts on Media Freedom
The exclusion of a major newspaper from government access significantly undermines the principles of media freedom and transparency. A healthy democracy requires all major media outlets—regardless of editorial position or political alignment—to have equal opportunity to question, challenge, and scrutinise those in power.
2. Public Interest and Accountability
Government decisions affect all citizens, and the press plays a fundamental role in informing the public. When a major newspaper is denied access, it restricts the flow of information and inhibits the public’s ability to receive diverse and balanced reporting.
3. Perception of Political Retaliation
Even if unintended, such a ban creates the perception that the Government is retaliating against unfavourable reporting or attempting to control public narrative. This erodes public trust in the neutrality, fairness, and openness of government communications.
4. Inconsistency With Democratic Standards
Excluding a recognised media organisation from official press events is inconsistent with international democratic norms and best-practice government communications. Equal access for accredited journalists is a fundamental standard expected of democratic institutions.
I would now hope that a lawyer in Samoa with a conscience would lay an action in court seeking a judicial review of this mindless decision and I would bet my bottom dollar that such an action would succeed for lack of legal and procedural basis for this decision as well as its clearly inconsistent with obligations relating to transparency, fairness and media access.
Ensuring that all major news organisations can freely attend and participate in government interviews is essential to uphold democratic accountability.
Ngā mihi nui,
Sala Pulotu Tanoa’i Alofa McCarthy
Director/Founder
CTV Media.
