The Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) stands with the Journalists Association of Samoa (JAWS) in raising concerns over the reported treatment of a Samoa Observer journalist while carrying out her professional duties at a public event.
According to the JAWS statement, the journalist’s camera was removed and photographs taken in the course of her work were reportedly deleted.
This is concerning to PINA. Especially at a time when the governments of two of the largest countries in the Pacific have undergone a great transition from fearing the media in their countries, to being supportive in the national legislations they have in their countries, and acknowledging and helping to protect the media, and journalists as they practice their much-needed craft of reporting the truth and informing their citizens.
Journalists attend public events to observe, record and report what happens. Their cameras, notebooks, recorders and other equipment are essential tools of their profession, and material gathered through legitimate reporting should be treated with respect.
We recognise that security personnel have an important responsibility to protect public officials. At the same time, any security concerns involving journalists should be handled through lawful, clear and proportionate procedures and should not unnecessarily interfere with legitimate journalism.
Like JAWS, PINA believes the circumstances of this incident should be properly established — including what happened to the camera and photographs, who was involved, and under what authority any action was taken. This should be done without prejudging the responsibility of any individual.
PINA is also concerned about the wider issue of access between government and the media.
Regular press conferences are an important part of an open and accountable government. They give journalists an opportunity to ask questions directly, seek clarification and bring issues of public interest to the attention of government leaders.
We therefore support JAWS’ call for the Prime Minister’s weekly press conferences to resume.
Across the Pacific, journalists work every day to keep our communities informed. There will naturally be disagreements between governments, public officials and the media from time to time. But those disagreements should be dealt with through open dialogue and established avenues for complaints, corrections and legal redress — not through interference with journalists or their professional work.
PINA believes that a free and independent media is an important part of healthy Pacific democracies. Journalists must be able to do their work, and the public must be able to access information and hear questions asked on their behalf.
PINA therefore joins JAWS in calling for respect for media freedom, accountability, transparency and due process, and for the legitimate work of journalists in Samoa to be respected and protected.
Approved by the PINA President, Neville Choi, choi.neville@gmail.com
