Monday, October 01, 2007

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!
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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

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