Debating th stupid hand drive

By Cherelle Jackson

APIA- The debate on the Right Hand Drive (RHD) was yesterday renamed by the Prime Minister of Samoa, Hon. Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi as the Correct Hand Drive.
During a Press Conference on the issue, Tuilaepa referred to the current left hand drive that Samoans are using as stupid hand drive.
“If you think about it, we refer to the right hand as the smart hand, and the left as the stupid one, currently Samoans are changing gears with the smart hand, the right and driving with their stupid hand, the left,” he said.
According to the Prime Minister, switching from left to right is therefore the logical choice.
“Things would finally be put right if we switch to using the right hand, or the correct one,” he said.
His explanation comes after criticisms from various respectable members of the community accusing the current Government of dictatorial leadership by imposing changes that are not necessarily endorsed by members of the public.
The debate which has been raging in the past few weeks is intriguing to say the least.
For the first time, some who previously supported the Government are standing up and voicing their objections to the possible change in legislation.
“The world is moving forward and we are looking way ahead of us,” Tuilaepa said yesterday.
But the community thinks otherwise, and as the Chamber of Commerce and NGO submission made clear last month, it would cost Samoa to change then to remain in the left hand drive.
Six leaders of local organizations who represent more then fifty associations, professional bodies, civil societies, non governmental organizations and businesses, with a collective membership of more then 10,000 people drafted a submission to Government expressing their dismay at the sudden change.
“On behalf of our members, we write to formally record that we do not support Governments proposal to change from left hand drive to right hand drive and respectfully seek your reconsideration of the Government decision,” the submission stated.
“Government’s decision is likely to have substantially negative effects through the underlying message it sends to people. At a time when Samoa has been independent for 45 years, and will be graduating from its least developed country status in three years time, the policy signals Governments continuing dependency on aid handouts from donors and promotes continuing dependency by our own people on families overseas.”
The projected write off value for vehicles if the change goes through amounts to close to $300million tala, but that is the minimum estimation according to the submission committee.
Tuilaepa however insists that this is the best decision for Samoa.
“The switch to RHD will make vehicles more accessible to the people in the rural areas, it means their relatives can buy them cars and send them back to Samoa from New Zealand,” he said.
Tuilaepa said the comparative import outlined in the submission by the Chamber and NGOs are merely for the sake of business owners.
The submission clearly indicated that the importation of vehicles from New Zealand or Australia will by far be more expensive then the current importation from America, Japan and other further destinations.
By the end of the Press Conference yesterday, Tuilaepa had linked the switch from left hand drive to climate change.
According to him, if more people in the rural areas have vehicles, it makes it easier for them to move inland therefore saving them from the rising sea levels and ultimately from the impacts of climate change.
Far fetched perhaps, but an intriguing link nonetheless.
Asked as to the difference between driving up the hill in a left hand drive or a right hand drive he said: “Well more people in the rural areas can get access to right hand drive because of their relatives in New Zealand.”
This Friday will see members of the public gather to express their views on the issue, it will make for a fascinating debate.
This will be an interesting test for the Samoan people, how vocal will they be, and how passionate are Samoans to impose the changes they wish to see?
According to Asiata Saleimoa Vaai, current Member of Parliament and Leader of Samoa Democratic United Party, Samoans need to make their voices heard.
“The apathy of our people has lead the Government to make decisions without their approval,” Asiata said.
If the right hand drive goes forward without the approval of the people, what does this mean for Samoa?
We are currently being hailed internationally as the shining star of the Pacific in terms of stability and good governance.
Indeed this issue will put the shining star to the test, what will prevail in the end will determine the fate of our good governance status.
Tuilaepa reminded the media yesterday that he has won an award for his efforts in transparency, accountability and good governance.
This will be a good test for that award.

Samoans to take to the streets

APIA - More than 10,000 Samoans are expected to take to the streets of Apia in a protest march against the proposed switch to right hand drive (RHD) by the Government of Samoa.
The march will be the climax of a massive anti RHD campaign by members of the public since Government proposed the changer in October.
International media are expected to attend the event which some say will shake the nation.
Spearheading the protests against RHD is prominent Samoan Lawyer Toailoa Toleafoa Toailoa.
The mass campaign visibly started two weeks ago, when Toailoa called a public meeting, urging every Samoan opposed to the switch to make their voices heard.
Hundreds of community leaders, business owners, former politicians and car owners attended the gathering which sounded more and more like angry mob after a few passionate arguments by local elders.
Since then hundreds of stickers branded ‘No to RHD’ have been distributed and are plastered on vehicles all over Samoa.
T-shirts with the same slogan are also being worn by members of the public on a daily basis.
Petitions are being signed by hundreds on the streets also opposing the switch.
A media campaign on television, radio and newsprint sponsored by the peoples committee against the switch is also well underway.
The protest march on Monday is expected to start at 8:30am, from the Government building in the center of Apia, to the Parliament building at Tiafau.
The notion to march was put forth at the public meeting after exhausting all other methods to be heard by the Government.
One disgruntled chief from Savaii stood up and said: “Lets stop Parliament from meeting on this issue.”
The protest will march to the Parliament building where Members of Parliament including Cabinet members will be meeting at 9:00am on the same morning.
Those opposed to RHD have been called on to wear white tops or shirts as a sign of peace on the day of the protest march.
Bus drivers, taxi drivers and private vehicle owners are also being urged by the committed against RHD to give priority to members of the public who will attend the march.
The protest march will be the first sign of social unrest in Samoa, signaling an official end to the “pin up star” image we previously held in the region.

the importance of being earnest

I have been lucky in my life, to be given so many opportunities to improve my skills as a journalist and to sharpen my gender lenses. I used to think, in my own arrogant-know-it-all-teenage-mind, that my strength was in what I knew, but really my real strength is in the type of people I know. For instance, I know some great minds who have nurtured mine and made it open and understanding, without the positivity around me I would not have harnessed my own sense of optimism.

gonna be home soon

Boy its been a while! Since my last entry I have travelled to five countries and have not spent more then six days in one locations. Exciting but tiring. The journey has been amazing. I miss being home though.

The era of self loathing

A review of the Australian newsprint media as published in Newsline Samoa Newspaper

By Cherelle Jackson*

Never before in the history of Australian media have there been so much criticism and examination of the fourth estate until now.
The makers of the news have officially arrived at an era of self loathing, which may as well be a sign of a healthy media.
Australian Journalists, at least the senior ones have come to realize the media industries misdemeanors and misguided attempts at journalistic superiority at the expense of quality and integrity in the news media.
TV Shows, websites, books and columns have been solely established to examine the media and makers of the news themselves.
Media Watch, an Australian Broadcasting Corporations (ABC) programme that presents a critical analysis of specific media has become one of the most watched shows in Australia which therefore shows, that even the consumers of the media are concerned about what they are receiving.
At a time when news is shaping peoples perception and influencing the direction of Australian politics, it is daunting to see that news as we know it has taken the backseat to the opinions of Journalists, Editors and media owners.

Generation Journalism ‘I’
More and more it is the writer not the story that defines the importance of the news.
The “I think” line has taken precedence over the “According to” and the bolded byline has certainly overshadowed the value of a headline.
The Age, the highest selling broadsheet newspaper in Melbourne and one of the more influential publications have easily featured opinion pieces on the front page to complement a news item.
“Gone are the times when we were just news reporters, now we are journalists who actually have something to say, we don’t have the right to do this, we are supposed to report, not to have an opinion,” said a former Herald Sun Editor.
Unsurprisingly it is the veterans of Australian Journalism who are leading the campaign against the self obsessed media and not necessarily the disgruntled media consumers themselves.
In his much talked about book ‘The media we deserve’ senior Journalist and former Executive Producer of Media Watch, Mr. David Salter offers an all too true expression: “But occasionally it strikes me that the media trying to examine its own failings is as pointless as a dog chasing its tail.”
But there is value in self criticism; the Australian media remains admirably liberal and comprehensive in content despite’ its shortcomings.

Sensationalism, a common affliction
In addition to the Journalism generation ‘I’ the Australian newsprint media has also been afflicted with the mainstream ailment of sensational reporting.
The ‘shame, shock, sham’ stream headliners are an all too familiar occurrence in daily newsprint media, but not all.
The fact that the Herald Sun in Melbourne is one if not the highest selling newsprint media in all of Australia does reflect that media consumers do have a preference for the sensational, thus the domino effect on the otherwise conservative media.
But there is hope yet, the only national newspaper, The Australian has proven solid in its representation of national issues and The Australian Financial Review, committed to the unfailing coverage of business, finance and economics issues without the embarrassing journalistic frills.
The two newspapers are widely read by corporate Australians, whose preference and a straight forward and specialized approach to news has given journalism integrity hope of survival.
It is understandable however to see the involuntary if not exquisitely planned stray of broadsheet and tabloid media to sensationalism, succumbing once again to the drive for readership over quality.
This mass turn towards cheap and easy to read product has undoubtedly made news accessible to the less-demanding media consumer.
Gideon Haigh, Journalist, author and one of Australias most vocal critics of current journalism said: “I open the modern newspaper with a sense of dismay. I find a media culture which places a high premium on excitement, controversy and sentimentality, in which information takes second place to the opinions it arouses.”
Still, such are the ways of mainstream media, and as long as the Australian media consumer prefers the sensational over quality in their newsprint consumption, then that is what they will be given, and as long as the industry wants to survive it will serve the hand that feeds it.

Media bickering
Haigh however argues that the relation between journalism generation ‘I’ and decline in readership quality says otherwise: “As we have risen in our own estimation, so have we diminished in the public’s, thinking of ourselves as chiefly answerable to one another rather than to our readers and viewers, like a military junta whose generals rejoice in pinning medals on one another’s chests.”
But self obsession and sensationalism are not the only challenges facing the Australian media.
With the bulk of newsprint owned by two, Murdoch and Fairfax, the industry has become like an old married couple going through a very messy divorce.
It’s a love to hate relationship dominated by the usual martyrs of the fourth estate, the spine climbing journalist, the egotistical editor and the ignorant reader.
That being said, Australian media are definitely not above belittling each other, perhaps this is a universal trait in the media industry.
Uncertainty however tends to bring out the worse in people, and at a turning point in the universal concept of Journalism, it has taken its toll on Australias thriving media.

Convergent Journalism
The threat is the gradual acceptance of convergent journalism, which is the integration of multimedia skills into daily news gathering.
Convergent journalism is the oil in developmental approach to makers of the news.
This modern reconstruction of journalism will inevitably transform the face of news media globally.
Convergent journalism is threatening the mere existent of traditional pen and paper approach replaced by digital recorder, camera, video camera and the ever present laptop.
If impressions of the past two months are accurate then newsprint journalists are a dying breed, convergent journalists however have a better chance of survival than any other in the industry.
Fairfax, the other half of the Australian media industry is investing big dollars to turn their newsprint empires into online text, video and audio streaming for the sake of the internet news addict.
News Limited although their heart is in the right place in trying to achieve a remarkable web presence, have failed miserably in some of their attempts.
Traditional pen and paper journalists who resist this unavoidable move towards virtual news will face difficulties to remain in the media industry.
Online news companies such as www.crikey.com which recently sold for millions is justification that indeed the future lies in the world wide web.
Another proof is the Eureka Report at www.eurekareport.com serves specialized audience with business, economic and financial news on a weekley subscription only online service.
It is one of the fastest growing service of its type in Australia.

The integrity challenge
But thankfully for the traditional journalist, the internet has not entirely taken over yet.
Newsprint is still preferred by a bulk of readers and advertisers would rather sell to the paper edition then online edition, and as any switched on editor will tell you, that’s where the true bread of journalism lies, so the newsprint editions will remains for a very long time to come.
Overall the Australian newsprint media is a robust representation of the fourth estate in the region.
Like other industries the media faces the same challenge, it is not country specific.
Media ownership is pivotal to freedom of expression, journalism integrity is a constant battle, and editorial influences plague the common newsroom.
These problems persist in the face of developmental journalism and the emerging preference of the convergant journalist.
Hope is in the hands of current Editors, Journalists and Media Owners whose interests and values are reflected on the pages read by millions daily.
The media like its consumers are fickle in its attention, each day presents a new issue, headline and campaign, but the overarching goal is the successful relay of information, and if that is media freedom, if that is indeed journalism integrity and if that is the determinant of quality media, then the Australian media certainly encompasses all those integral characteristics.

*The writer was a recipient of an AusAID Australian Leadership Award in journalism for her role as Editor of Newsline. She participated in a six week working fellowship on Reporting Economic Affairs in Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra coordinated by the Asia Pacific Journalism Center. She was attached to the Australian Financial Review.
During the fellowship she met the Editor of The Age, the Editor at Large of Canberra Times, the Opinion Editor of the Australian Financial Review and the Business Editor of The Australian.
Opinions expressed in this piece are solely of the author based observation, dialogue and research and does not reflect the views of the fellowship sponsor or coordinators. Photographs were taken by the author.

back at one

I'm now back at home! I ran out of room on my passport for more stamps :( fark.. didnt even envision that so now I have to apply for a new one before i leave friday morning :(

nz mediaocre

I am now in NZ been here for a few days now, good to see different media. New mastheads, different dickheads on tv, different crap on the radio, overall whole new experience. I must admit I am a bit biased, I have a general preference for NZ media, somehow they do acknowledge that indeed their are people in the vast Pacific ocean, on the islands i mean :)

Todays NZ Herald frontpage was about the Kyoto Protocol and NZ commitment to ratification by 2012 instead of 2020, an awesome frontpager... quite considerate.. i dont think any aussie paper wouldve put the same story on the front page, but then again the priorities differ greatly between the two countries. I have to issue a lil' disclaimer here, obviously i would praise NZherald cause i do work for them :) but cumon man i have to pay a complement where its due.. chooo hoooo.

What i was impressed with however was NZ Heralds tight and controlled web presence, you cannot copy the NZH masthead from anywhere on the web... amazing stuff!

I must admit though that despite NZ media being a pretty solid pack it does play victim to the occassional sensational headliner and story angle... ah but what is mainstream without superficial prostitution of ideas.

The 'I' in journalism however is not so apparant here as in aussie, where every story is about the freaking writer and not the story itself.. i appreciate that!

[image: www.journalistopia.com]

canberra and the times

Ill have to make this quick because some asian woman is literally trying to push me off the farkin computer, like cant you see that im typing something really urgent and checking my bebo, hello :)
I am now in Canberra and in the final stages of the fellowship. Yesterday we visited the AUstralian Press Club, the High Court and a few museums, including the National Museum. Interesting places.
Today we paid the Canberra Times a visit, and that was somewhat cool, to say the least, as in to say a lil' as possible. The newsroom was small for a headquarter, but he printing press is one to die for. THe circulation of the paper is at a grand seventy thousand, the population of canberra being at 300,000 thats pretty cool. Well i better stop here and finish at another time :(

This is todays frontpage of Canberra times, this Cousins fella should have seen it coming! Such a fool!

globalisation, regionalism and localisation aka. big countries rule

This is a very broad look at globalisation, regionalism and localisation, it only scratches at the surface of these three concepts and movements.

Personally although I agree that globalisation can act as an inspiration for change, I feel that small nations such as Samoa stand to lose much economically, environmentally and socially if they are not fully aware of the implications of such agreements as WTO and the Pacific Plan.

Although noble in aim, I feel this is just one way for developed countries to take advantage of the little man, so to speak.

This is indeed a very interesting time to be a Journalist in the Pacific region, it is a defining moment in the history of the world, we are indeed living in a neoliberal era, yet in the Pacific we are also fighting remnants of the colonial era masked as ‘development’ delivered through sexy terminologies such as transparency, accountability and good governance.Is globalisation then just a form of neocolonialism?If you think about it globalization is in a sense colonialism with consent.

Regionalism itself although self motivated has become obligatory.

It makes me wonder, not just as a Journalist but as a citizen of the world, are we becoming closer through the implementation of globalisation or is it further pushing nations apart as the competition becomes fierce and ugly?

Who loses out in the end?

I do find it ironic that globalisation a development tool and one that encourages interdependence attacks the just value that has guaranteed progress, democracy.
Globalisation compromises democracy by distorting autonomy and the sovereignty of a nation as they are bulked into regionalism and later globalization.

Is this progress?Is it development if we achieve global success at the expense of our national identities?

I personally do not think so, as a proud Samoan I feel that our culture, our society and the way we do things separate us from the rest of the world.

Economic progress should never be declared at the regress of society or culture.But is this not the inevitable?

Is this a fate that we must accept in order to be part of the world?Perhaps, but as long as we are true to ourselves, maintain our values and tamper only with the periphery we can somehow find a balance, embrace regionalism and globalisation yet still be unique.

In the words of The Alchemist author Paolo Coelho: “It we fulfil our personal legends we are contributing to the soul of the world.” [extracted from a paper i wrote for the fellowship]

coffee cups and fear of numbers

I'm now sitting in my small dormitory room at Sunbury Halls, trying to recover from two weeks of full on studying, writing, talking, observing, sharing and trying to get sleep in between all of those. The room is a big mess, teacups everywhere, newspapers strewn on the floor, cameras with dying batteries abandoned in a moment of rush, thoughts scattered and ideas in a mess but unseen in the room.

Ive got a massive headache but theres nothing i can do about it, i can't sleep because theres too much noise, i cant really eat cause theres nothing to eat and i certainly do not want to go for a walk cause its too blumin cold outside :(

I learnt this week that i will be working at the Australian Financial Review for a few days as part of the journalism fellowship, i'm looking forward to it, not everyday cherelle permits herself to see numbers in sequence, i think im finally lifting up that curtain that long time ago i pulled down on maths.. although technically this is not maths, its economics and i can do economics any day :) anyhow so this should be good. well best get off this thing and check my bebo account :) yes the busy life of a journalist :)

foot in my mouth disease

Sometimes I swear I am plagued with the foot in mouth disease :) in that I constantly put my foot in my mouth without intending to do so, metaphorically speaking of course! Last night one of my foot in mouth situations was at the table with all the fellows, coordinators and trainers I said to the chairman of apjc: "Your wife is very tall." He said: "Yes she is." everyone nodded their heads in agreement with my sentiment then ms jackson went on to say: "So how was it in the begining?" It was one of those moments, blonde moments when my need to know how he felt being a short man being seen with a much taller woman really came out as me wondering about the poor mans sex life... hehe... chooo hooo.

Lastnight I had what has been described by my boss as a 'literary diahhorea' whereby i sat down to write on a topic and everything just poured onto the pages and the next thing you know i had written twenty pages worth of critique on globalisation, it was awesome! The night before I also went on an analytical rampage and came up with abou fifteen pages worth of graphs and content analysis of the three main newspapers in melbourne, its kinda nice to finally write without the rules that surround journalism, its like my mind just let go and let flow:)

Samoa Industry:

Market Population:

179,186 people (Industrial area 70,000 pple)

Employment:

20, 396 end of first quarter 2007 (MOF)

Employment:

(Public) 52,000 (Stats Dept)

National Budget:

Revenues: 554 million

Expenditure: 584million

Deficit: 30million

Surplus after borrowing: 945million

MAIN INDUSTRIES:

Tourism: 226million

Transport and Communications: 131 million

Agriculture: 68million

Manufacturing: 89million

Construction: 87million

OUTLOOK:

MOF: 3.8 % growth

CBS: Economy forecasted to grow 3% in real terms

ADB: expects 3.4% growth

World Bank: Average Real GDP growth for Pacific is 3.8%

SOURCES:

Budget Address (PM Office)

Statistics Department (Samoa)

Ministry of Finance (Samoa)

Central Bank of Samoa

Asia Development Bank

World Bank

an analysis

So I did a content analysis in regards to news coverage categories preferred by the three main newspapers in Melbourne, The Age, The Australian and The Herald Sun. Interesting finds, it seems The Australian takes more care in covering a broad range of issues whereas The Age although in deapth in other categories tend to steer more towards social stories, whereas the Herald Sun as expected posed more human interest stories than the other two.

Samoa's freedom of press under threat

Anyone who prides in suppressing an otherwise free press is no better then this dead fella. I took this pic in my office two months ago, before it was viciously burnt down!

---------------------------------------------

Story:

June- Freedom of the press and the integrity of journalists are under attack this week in Samoa.
Owner of the largest radio station in Samoa, Radio Polynesia, Maposua Rudolph Keil has made a dramatic stance against freedom of some working Journalists in Samoa.
Maposua issued a letter to Radio Polynesia news team prohibiting them from attending Press Conferences by Saleimoa Vaai Asiata the most recent leader of the Samoa Democratic United Party and current Member of Parliament.
In his letter to his news team Maposua said: "You will not ever attend another Press Conference held by Honourable Asiata Saleimoa Vaai at his office at Fugalei. Should he wish to announce his news item over the air using our facilities he will have to pay for it, otherwise I will not allow it to be broadcasted due to harmful and unproven topics he uses in his Press Conference."
Maposua, a vocal Media owner went on to say: "Further I have indicated at our numerous discussions that you should report and praise the Government on the many good project."
News Editor of Radio Polynesia News Ms. Ame Sene has yet to make a statement in regards to the matter.
The Journalists Association of [Western] Samoa has expressed their dismay at the order by Maposua on his Journalists.




-NZ Herald Online

Information officers and the gag order

Information or Public Relations officers in every other proud democratic state are major components of any public, private or even grass root level organizations.
They are the front of established organizations, ministries and companies whether they be national, regional or international.
Usually armed with Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism or even Human Resource qualifications and experience these people can make or break the public image and reputation of an organization.
They are the shields in times of troubles and the gel in times of friction and hardships for organizations.
Public Relations officers exist to maintain a positive image of their workplace, they are experts on issues relating to them and they are well informed on happenings in their organizations.
One of their major roles is to deal with the media, and a good public relations officer is a friend of the media.
This is one of their more important roles, as through the media they can address the concerns of the public.
Having said that, PR Officers play an integral part in any established body, especially one for the people dealing with members of the public daily.
The concept of Information and PR Officers has yet to make an impact on our shores.
Apart from Ministers, CEO's continue to be the only voice allowed to speak for Government Bodies while General Managers are the point of contact for some Private Sector companies.
Although the heads of these public and private bodies are the best points of reference they are usually either unavailable or take issues too personal therefore some concerns are not addressed.
As a Journalist I appreciate PR Officers, obviously they make my job easier, but most importantly they save time and they would give me an answer within one day.
In some Ministries a gag order is placed on all its workers to prevent them from speaking to the media.
This is a very unfortunate development as without information there is no awareness of success or failures therefore the changes that should be made will rarely occur.
Although I partly understand the reason for this gag order it is unfortunate that some great minds and inspirational characters working in Government are not allowed to speak on their respective fields of expertise.
It is also unfortunate as a Journalist passionate about Environmental and Health issues not to be able to interview third level Government workers for their opinion and their take on issues.
The gag order takes away from the freedom of our supposed democratic society.
When Government workers are afraid to speak for fear of repercussions on their careers it is very unfortunate, the gag order prohibits freedom of expression one of the founding pillars of democracy.
This habit of suppression although deeply routed in our culture should be diminished to allow for development.
Freedom to information, freedom of expression and freedom of the media are the core of any free and democratic state, like Samoa, unfortunately this is not exercised here.

-Newsline

tired of the asia-pacific term

I will no longer stand for this Asia-Pacific crap, don't these foreigners know that the Pacific is a separate entity in itself, ok so you can barely make out our islands on the map but for Gods sake dont bulk us in like a freaking piece tuna steak, we are different, theres Asia and then theres the Pacific, one and the other. If I have to hear one more reference to AsiaPacific as where I am from I swear I will throw a bitch fit :) joking.
When people, governments or organisations use this term they really mean Asia, not the Pacific. It is a constant uphill struggle to prove that we are indeed separate... ok ill stop ranting :)

light in your eyes

If my computer speakers switch off one more time I swear I will throw this whole freaking thing out the window of three story high Sunbury Halls, the impact of the fragile laptop will be enough to shatter the screened window and if somehowe impossibly makes it beyond the glass, the laptop along with five years worth of my own journalistic expressions will find a rushed demise shattered on the cold hard pavement of this isolated University Campus.
Well, I am in Sunbury Halls a Victoria University Campus, about 50 minutes from the center of Melbourne. The Campus is beautiful, the buildings, more to the English style rather then the non-existing Australian frames reminds me dearly of Austria and its sprawling castles and architectural creativity in the age of bricks and subtle curves.
I titled this blog as such as it is the song I am listening to by Blessid Union of Souls, called: "Light in your Eyes." The rhythm is inspirational but the words are depressing, thus making for one awesome love song, except i'm not feeling any of the emotions that typically go with such audio delights.
I just had three cups of english breakfast tea and I am content, I am content with me, my place in the world, right now, right this minute, I am content! Its beautiful. Of course theres the usual shit that comes with contentment, like forgetting momentarily that my office building burnt down, that our temporary location is now officially closed as well, that the future of Newsline is so fucking uncertain its almost depressing, I am forgetting momentarily that I left my car to a friend who is leaving and who may or may not have taken care of it well enough, I am forgetting momentarily that I ate way too much today :) hehe.. i could be thoroughly contradictory at times.
So what is good then?
Well whats good is that I am happy in the skin I am in, that I am still happy as a Journalist, that todays talk by Monash University Professor Mark Barton was awesome and it really opened up my eyes, and that every time he said democracy or pointed to the intricacies of the every fragile journey towards international cooperation I smiled in my head, coming up with new thoughts and ideas that lay dormant in my poor suppressed mind at times.

So here goes:

On Democracy:
Development is an accessory to democracy.

Developmental Journalism is a ntural progresion of the fourth estate.

Developmental Journalism complements liberal democracy.

A free press is a fuel for democracy.

Democracy cannot exist without a free press, unless otherwise stated :)

On Regionalism:
Regionalism is really neo-colonialism presented as assertive joint democracy.

Regionalism is a smaller version of globalisation masked in patriotic values really intended for the developmental aspirations of New Zealand and Australia :)

The Pacific Plan is the Conquerers Plan.

The Pacific Plan is the begining of the democratic meltdown.

Regionalism distors island democracy.

Regionalism fuels neo-colonialism mentalities.


On Other:
Autonomy is the core of hopeful democracy.

Democracy starts with me :)

Selfishness, the comfort of the heartless.

Free speech is liberation at its best.

the hour of our death

I am thinking pretty dark thoughts as I sit here amidst the piercing darkness tapping away at a reluctant keyboard, my fingers are automated, my gaze unmoving, my breathing uninterrupted save for the hint of hindrance as i draw every breath, it is probably safe to say, that I am trying to kill time, precious minutes of my life by typing down thoughts that are non existent, thoughts that have persisted in my head until the moment when I decide to elucidate them through the power of technology.

Its an unGodly hour in Carlton, I am certain that Melbourne has yet to sleep, so the few souls whose thoughts still wonder while their eyes are wide awake share this moment with me. I don't know why I can't sleep but I know I will pay for it dearly!

For now, it is just me and the world.

The silence of the night reminds me of my grandmothers death, how she shed tears before she succumbed to that eternal sleep, I cursed when I heard this, why after all she has been through, after all her faith in God, the prayers every single night as she lay in that bed for fifteen years, why did she have to go like that, why could she not have gone in her sleep, peaceful and silent. The feeling of helplessness that overcame all of us in that precious hour emphasises yet again the sad truth about death, that it takes as it may.

Ariès, Philippe was right in The Hour of Our Death, which says that death lurks at the edge of our consciousness, ready to destroy us and demolish whatever meaning we attribute to our lives.

the pens contribution to the economy

How do we as Journalists contribute to the economic development of a nation? Awardwinning AUstralian business and economics columnist and writer whois well known for his independence in thought and materials was straighforwardand refreshingly blunt about Australias lack of interest in the Pacific.Todays discussion explored the possibilities for change through our work. It is, I believeour strength of conviction in an idea that leads to a good story, and then other factorscome into play such as relevance, timing, balance, peg source but ultimatelyit should do good and provide an avenue for change, positive change. It is howevera personal dilemma at times, where I ask myself, who am I to make that change,do I have a right? But why not? Kenneth saied that the media creates a genuine sense of nationhood which leads to legitimate change!I tottally and utterly agree!

how many cofees is too many?

When establishing sources and strengthening relationships with those that we need information from on a weekly basis, a cup of cofee with them was suggested to strengthen those ties, however it how many coffees with that person is too many. I think that the Journalist should draw a line between them and a source so as to ensure a certain degree of objectivity, how many cofees indeed does it take until the source becomes a 'friend.'

I think that once the journalist and the source sit down for more than two cups of coffee, undesirable expectations will come into place, thus interfering with the purpose of the alliance! Concepts such as integrity, burnt source and others come to mind.

Gender and self censorship in a free press

Of course there is freedom of the press in Samoa/
Although there are constraints that hinder a full appreciation of press freedom, I still believe that Samoa enjoys free press and a healthy media.
So on what basis do I say this? I say this on the basis that I, a Samoan Journalist am able to write on any issue or topic daily without the intrusion or obstruction of the forces that be, the Government or certain arms of the law.
This is a rare privilege of occupation or passion in my case. But freedom of the press cannot be discussed without a consideration of the gender of a Journalist. During the JAWS Editors Forum, I enlightened our participants to the fact that women Journalists certainly face a stigma or discrimination that our male counterparts will not necessarily feel.
I speak for instance, of my early days in Journalism, a bright eyed, young Journo, keen to please the Editor and get my hands on any piece of news I can get. I was slowly, but surely developing what my Journalism Lecturer referred to as a ‘nose for news.’ Unfortunately for me, my mere appearance worked against my keenness and ‘nose,’ so to speak. The fact that I am half-caste (others may call it fake-palagi), that I am short (others may call it fikipu’u), I was small in size (others may call it underfed), under 25 and a woman really did not help my case. Those characteristics translated to inexperienced, immaturity, or even intrusion. The first Politician I interviewed asked a fellow Journalist: “Who is the little girl,” he said with a smirk. Because of my physical features working against me, I found I had to work hard and sharpen my writing skills to undermine the pre-existing misconceptions that plagued those of my gender. So in this case, it is fair to conclude that my perception of freedom of the press differed slightly to that of a male or a somewhat taller or more matured looking female Journalist. Today, some seven odd years later, I am still small, now just 25, still white, still female, but now with a better view of press freedom.
Indeed I now exercise that freedom daily in my work as News Editor, Foreign Correspondent and Feature Writer, and frankly, I love it!
Although freedom of the press exists, it does not deter from the fact that freedom of expression and freedom of information are not highly implemented nor advocated in Samoa. Seeing that our Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister are advocates of free press, there is no doubt they would agree to the encouragement of these two fundamental aspects of democracy.
The Press itself is one of the founding pillars of democratic Samoa, and Journalists, Editors and Media Owners sustain the existence of this foundation. But in saying that, we do have an obligation to the public, to our readers, listeners and watchers to be accurate, unbiased and seek the truth above all else. We have the ability to make a difference in our society, through our pen (these days a laptop or blackberry). We, through our work as informants, can contribute to ensuring that concepts such as transparence, accountability and good governance are observed and do materialize.
I would like to pay tribute to Savea Sano Malifa, who recognizes this, that the press plays an important role in democratic Samoa and the freedom of any society. Savea paved the way for a free press in Samoa, his stubborn journalistic persistence has given us the freedom to write accurate reports freely without fear of unfair repercussions. I would like to thank him for inspiring me to become what I am today, a passionate Journalist, fearless and yet like him, stubborn still.
I would also like to acknowledge the new breed of young, vibrant and ardent Journalists, you are what Samoa needs. The path of a Journalist is hard, it is long and winding, but well worth every step.
We must never forget that we are the voice of the voiceless, that freedom of the press is really the freedom of our people, not the Journalist, not the Editor nor the media Owner. We should never forget this fact, that what we print and broadcast will influence the lives of real people, so we must, regardless of all possible obstacles, strive to be accurate and uphold integrity in every word we write and utter.

May free press continue to prevail in Samoa

am i an agent of change?

In our session today, on what hinders free media I came to the conclusion that it is us, that most of the influencing factors on freedom of the media are generally self imposed and observed, even if the factors that provoke them are external. An interesting point war raised by our colleague from West Papua, according to him in order to excercise and truly commit to free media, we must be agents of change. I agree whole heartedly, but the change must be good and honourable and it should stem from an intention to make a difference and to create a better society. Paolo Coehlo a most admirable author of spiritual phenomenons says that we are warriors of light, that if we fulfill our personal legends, we contribute to the soul of the world, to what makes humanity. Along the lanes of my sometimes utterly confused and ideologically polluted mind, I came to the conclusion that if we want to see change in the world, we have to be that change. We have to live it, define it or do everything in our power to aspire to be it. So in that sense, we are indeed agents of change, whether we be journalists, plumbers, hairdressers or even rubbish collecters, we all contribute in our own way, others inadevertantly and others more directly. Whats important is that we do it with passion, that we make it our responsibility to make a difference.

but what constitutes sanity

Sanity, ah but the aspiration of the insane, of the illogical and the fool and the comfort of the reluctant routine-addict... thats it, ive officially lost the will to write, ive tried and tried and i cant for the life of me put my words onto paper, put patterns of literature into the every hungry microsoft word document. This is the most I have written in days, and it pains me to the deepest extent that i have lost this part of myself, that I have succumbed to the temptations of technology and the world wide web giving it constant permission to divert my attention, to fill my head with shallow images, ideologies and words that does nothing for the soul, that assists in no way, shape or form to the growth of my spiritual being.

to be or not to be a journalist

After almost ten years in this profession, I sometimes wonder, in the wee hours of the morning when I am contemplating yet another headline: "Is this all worth it?" Is living ones passion for the written word worth the criticisms, verbal abuse, sometimes physical abuse and all other attempts to silence that voice?
Never in my whole career have I viewed Journalism as just 'work' it is more than that, and the more Journalists I meet that share the same ideals and values as I, the more I am convinced that indeed this is a passion and my own way of contributing to society, to the betterment of society.
I am currently in Australia on a six week fellowship courtesy of the Australian Government, I was fortunate enought to be an awardee for the Australian Leadership Awards in Economic Affairs Reporting. In the next few weeks, nine of us from PNG, Vanuatu and Indonesia will be given a crash course on Economic Affairs Reporting, with three day attachments to various news media in Australia. This should be interesting.
I find, that I am always a bit more outspoken than my colleagues in the Samoa, so it is always good to mingle with others from the region.
Yesterday we tackled the question of ethics, how far can we go and where do we draw the line in terms of conflict of interest. I admitted, albeit reluctantly, that my participation in the fellowship may compromise my future writing on Australia, I mean, would I really want to bite the hand that feeds me? No :) But perhaps this is modern-day progress, my most respected colleagues have accepted fellowships and famil visits without patting and eyelid in the last few years, so why shouldn't I.
But more then anything I want to learn about this grey area in reporting.
I should probably consider going to bed now.

How accurate is our census?

By Cherelle Jackson

The Samoan Census reports apart from the Crimes Ordinance and the Economic Performance reports ranks highest on my list of most informative and valuable research sources produced locally.
It is a good source for background information into any story or issue in Samoa, it is of course the main reference in terms of population, housing, employment and other important facts pertaining to the Samoan people.
The latest census however poses some questionable figures.
For instance, how accurate is the latest total population figure?
The total population in 2001 was 176,710, and in 2006 it increased to 179,186 that meant that in five years Samoas population noted a slight increase of 2476 residents.
Factors such as birth rate, death rate, migration patterns and of course the actual counting process itself can impact the accuracy of a census.
But the slight increase seems somewhat inaccurate based on Samoas consistent increase in birthrate and prolonged life expectancy.
The CIA Factbook, perhaps the most update source of basic country information estimated Samoas birthrate at 16.43 per 1000 people in 2006.
They projected a 72% increase in birthrate for 2007, the highest projection yet.
The Tupua Tamasese Meole II Hospital maternity ward records a maximum of 25 births a day, averaging at about 100 babies born per week and a 300 a month.
“There are 2000 to 3000 recorded births a year at the national hospital,” said one inside source.
According to the source, more than 70 new pregnancies are checked weekly at TTMHII for women from the Apia urban and surrounding areas.
If such statistics are correct than in five years there would have been an average of 12,500 births based on the birthrate statistics and estimates.
So why then, has there only been a 2476 increase in population?
In 2006, we were ranked 146 in death rates of the world thus indicating a low death rate.
Samoa posed an estimated 6.62 per 1000 population, a low number which was also projected to decrease by 11.18% this year.
So why has Samoas population gone fairly unscathed in the last five years?
Several people I have spoken to in regards to this editorial have said that they were not counted in last years census.
“I have four children, husband, a cousin with a wife and three children living in the same compound and we were all not counted,” said one Upolu resident.
On a more personal account, in my village of Safua Savaii, the 2001 population of 287 has decreased by four people according to the last census.
I find this hard to believe, considering three of the largest households have had more births in our villages than death, and there have generally been more people moving back into the village than moving out.
This of course is not meant to discredit the work of tireless surveyors and everyone at the Statistics Department involved in the creation of the Census, but I feel it is important to find out the exact reasons for such a slight change in total population.
Are the methods used accurate?
Was everyone counted?
It would be good at the end of the day, to know that everyone is represented in those precious digits which would resonate throughout the centuries as proof of our mere existence in Samoa.
In this case, even just 1 is an integral number.

$30 million increase in spending

By Cherelle Jackson

Government spending will increase by more than 20 million tala within the next financial year according to the Budget Summary General Estimates for 2007-2008.
The new Budget delivered in Parliament last week has seen a jump in overall spending under current and development expenditures.
The last financial year recorded an estimate of $420,000,000.00 in current expenditures; the next financial year will see an estimate of $470,000,000.00 a good $30million jump from the last budget.
The Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture is projected to spend the highest amount of funds, totaling to more than a $100 million tala in total expenditures.
Second highest expenditure of close to $70 million will be spent by the Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure.
The Ministry of Health is due to spend close to $60 million within the next financial year.
Revenues expected amount to $554,334,406.00 a good $20 million more from the last financial year.
The highest estimated earnings will be made by the Ministry for Revenue, expecting close to $400 million in total ordinary revenue.
Following behind is Ministry of Finance at close to $50 million.
Ministry of education, Sports and Culture is projected to earn a little over $17 million within the next financial year.
Overall Samoa is expected to make SAT$945,940.00 surplus after borrowing.
The official start of the next financial year is the 30th of June.

Malietoa descendants threaten interim injunctions

By Cherelle Jackson

Descendants of the Malietoa title took matters to the Registrar of Lands and Titles Court yesterday regarding the proposed bestowment of the Malietoa title to Faamausili Papalii Moli, son of the late Malietoa Tanumafili II.
Sources say representatives from some families of Malietoa threatened to file interim injunctions to stop the ceremony which was planned for tomorrow.
“Descendants of one of the Malietoa families came forward yesterday to place interim injunctions on the planned title bestowment ceremony,” a source from the Lands and Titles Court said yesterday.
Due to the sensitivity of this issue, the names of those who spoke to Newsline have been withheld upon their request.
According to one of the family members, the planned Thursday title bestowment ceremony of the Malietoa title on Faamausili Papalii Moli Malietoa has caused friction amongst the descendants of the Malietoa title.
“We do not all agree with the decision,” said a family member who was present at yesterdays discussions with the Registrar.
According to the same source he was saddened that the decision for the next Malietoa was made so soon after the funeral of the late Malietoa.
“They could have waited until at least a year after,” he said.
“Some suggested that the ceremony be postponed, if not than the title be bestowed on three sulis (descendants) of the Malietoa title, instead of one,” he said.
The Registrar Tusipa Masinalupe confirmed to Newsline yesterday that the “petitioners” agreed to further discuss matters before taking further legal action.
According to him, the proposed interim injunctions come under Articles 49 and 50 of the Lands and Titles Act.
Earlier this week Newsline was informed by sources in the village of Sapapalii that the descendants there had agreed for Faamausili to receive the title of Malietoa.
Later these claims were refuted by other members of the Malietoa family.
Spokesman for the Tuamasaga, Mano’o Si’a Ulu
Faamausili had long been the Aide de Camp for the late Malietoa Tanumafili II, his father.
His personal and public achievements have earned him respect amongst members of the local community.
If continued as planned the title bestowment ceremony will take place on the eve of Governments announcement of the next Head of State of Samoa.

Illness and what constitutes an emergency

By Cherelle Jackson

[Newsline Newspaper Samoa] I have not been well recently, in fact I have been quite unwell, with one health problem after the next for almost four weeks straight, I am finally seeing the value in pain killers and good Doctors.
In the last month alone I have seen four doctors, including one in New Zealand visited one Hospital, four pharmacies and have taken an array of tablets for all sorts of ailments.
My experience lately has brought a new meaning to the phrase: “When it rains it pours,” because not only has it poured in terms of my health it has stormed like nothing I have seen before.
Being ill really makes one appreciate good health and life in general but perhaps most importantly good health services.
In that, I mean private Clinics, Hospital and Pharmacies.
In finding out I had an ailment which required a slight intrusion of ones privacy I opted for Asaua Doctors at Togafuafua, both female with a history in both private and public health there was no doubt in their expertise.
Le Fomai Clinic with Dr. Tala Ta’avao also proved effective especially armed with the expertise to conduct minor surgical procedures.
Marias Health Care Pharmacy was my one stop shop for prescription medicine in the first two weeks.
During the long weekend I found myself with a high fever combined with sore and swollen throat, it was Sunday morning in the midst of a holiday weekend.
My sister enlisted the assistance of my brother who will be graduating today with a Post Graduate Diploma in Midwifery, who better to take care of her two week old baby, while she drove me around to find a working Doctor.
Fortunately for me, the ever committed Dr. Joe Enosa was working in full force at Med Cen Hospital that day.
His reassuring words and accurate prescriptions provided immediate relief soon after.
We managed to find my prescribed medicine at The Drug Store ad Med Cen and at the Multipharm Pharmacy at Sogi.
Thankfully, both were open on Sunday.
In saying that, I am thankful that private health services are well equipped and resourced to serve those of us who experience some form of sickness after hours and during the holidays.
I did not have the patience or the energy to wait around in the public health system nor was my case qualified as an “emergency.”
As you may know the National Hospital only sees “Emergency” cases after certain hours.
But what constitutes an emergency?
Cardiac arrest and accidents are the common forms, but what if one needed immediate attention, with a high temperature or even severe physical and not necessarily visible pains?
Does ones internal organs have to be visible in order to be qualified as a case of “emergency”?
So far, there has been no visible description of what constitutes an emergency in accordance with the TTMHII consultation hours.
Perhaps it is time such rules were specified and options publicized for those needing medical attention after hours or during public holidays
Death like time, waits for no man, or Doctor for that matter.

Laziness can be the root of all evil

I must admit, after months and months of no blog entries, I am worried about myself and my passion for writing, I guess after a while it became obligatory therefore I lost the enjoyment value in it all..blah..blah.
A lot has happened in Samoa and in my life since my last mournful entry, it is a bit brighter in Paradise nowadays, in my Paradise at least. The most awesome change has been the increase of women in the Samoan Cabinet, from one woman Minister in the early nineties to three women Ministers to date. Apart from family, spiritual and career successes the increase in the number of women in the Samoan Government can be interpreted as a personal success, as a feminist, a daughter of a feminist, a sister to feminists and friends of feminists and a citizen of feminism.