NEWSROOM: 06 May - 12 May 2007

PM tells journalists Samoa media has "come a long way"
12 May 2007 - Source: Press Secretariat

The following speech was made at the inaugural Editors' Forum by Samoa's prime minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day.

The High Commissioner of Australia, Ladies and Gentlemen.

Thank you for inviting me to this Editors Forum as part of your Association's programme of events this year to commemorate Press Freedom.

The commemoration of Press Freedom deservedly recognises the important and key contribution of a free media to the progress and development of our society and communities through the free flow and exchange of information and ideas. The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights Specifies that "everyone has the right to freedom of opinion of expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers".

The Commonwealth also recognises the central role of the free flow of information and ideas to the democratic process and the defence of liberty. In Samoa the Constitution and laws of our country recognise these freedoms and the government strongly advocates the principles of transparency and good governance both in government and private sector. But Freedom, including freedom of the press, comes with responsibility and I need hardly remind of the importance of 'reporting responsibly'.

As you well know, the achievement of good journalism is through diligent application of the principles of 'Accuracy', 'Integrity', and 'Fairness'. I have on past occasions, spoken to your Association about the importance of observing these principles and that it would be a poor excuse on the part of a reporter or editor to set these principles aside in their rush to meet publishing deadlines or broadcast times.

On balance however, I tend to think that Samoa's media has come a long way in observing the principles of good journalism and your Journalists Association appears committed to promoting journalistic standards and ethics. This Editors Forum event seems to me to be designed with
compliance with these standards and ethics in mind. I am glad this is happening as it would be a mistake to be complacent or take things for granted.

It pays to periodically take stock and self-examine your compliance and observation with the standards and ethics that the Association has set. As sometimes can happen, when there are deadlines to meet, or a front cover story to deliver, journalistic principles can be easily forgotten with backsliding on standards and ethics the results.

I remember one of our journalists, asking me what I thought after the United States Elections. I said that there were lessons for the President in the narrow margin of the results. The headline story that came out after my interview with this reporter was "Prime Minister Tuilaepa backs
President Bush". The article itself did not reflect the headline. When I next met the reporter - he knows who he is - and I asked him what happened, he promptly blamed the Editor!

During the campaign for our country's General Elections last year, another reporter asked me for a response to the Leader of the Opposition's comment that if the Prime Minister could not understand English, the Prime Minister should ask the Leader of the Opposition for help. My light-hearted reply to the reporter was that my father was only a Samoan who could not speak English. The article that came out somehow portrayed me as some sort of racist against palagi's and raised the ire of a few people. When I met the reporter later - he also knows who he is - and asked him, he light-heartedly explained that the paper needed a headline story. By implication the editor in this case was also 'passed the buck'.

The point I want to make is the importance of observing the principles of good journalism. I personally found both these episodes amusing as I have reflected in their telling. However, I think it is always important to be cautious with so called 'journalistic license' when it stops making a
story funny but becomes hurtful to some.

The anecdotes are also a cautionary note against sensationalism. If there is a story to tell, by all means report it. But tell it sensibly and as circumstances require, sensitively as well. And if there is no story, it would obviously be flouting all the rules of journalism to invent one.

On this last point on invention, I remember Mike Field, whom quite a few Pacific countries have revoked his visa at one time or other because of his stories, saying to me at the end of the 2004 Pacific Leaders Forum Samoa hosted, that the Samoa Forum was the worst he had covered because the arrangements went well and there was no controversial story to tell! (Mike has family here and probably did not want his Samoan visa revoked!)

To end my remarks, a quote I came across in a media journal from Canada illustrates just how far media freedom has advanced over the years. A Mr John Swinton, a former Chief of Staff of the New York Times when he toasted the inadequacy of his profession before the New York Press Club in 1953 said, "If I allowed my honest opinions to appear in one issue of my paper, before twenty-four hours (is up) my occupation would be gone. The business of journalists is to...fawn at the feet of mammon and to sell his country and his race for his daily bread. You know it and I know it, and what folly is this toasting an independent press? We are the tools and vassals of rich men behind the scenes. We are the jumping jacks, and they pull the strings and we dance. Our talents, our possibilities our lives are all the property of other men..."

If Mr Swinton was not already out of the job before his toast, he must have gone soon after! The media has come a long way since Swinton's times. My request to all the reporters and Editors present this morning is to remember that it's Swinton's quote, not mine!

On a serious note, I wish to thank the President and the Journalists Association of Samoa for your initiative in holding this event to help self-regulate your profession. As you know, a journalism course is now offered at the National University in recognition of the contribution the media makes to the socio-economic development of our nation as clearly reflected in the hard work of the Association the reports and editors and each of the media outlets in our country.

I know that your Association has continued to seek changes in laws that you consider are stifling media freedom. My brief reply to this call is that there is a time for everything and you have seen the changes that have happened in life and circumstances of our country including those affecting the media.

The commitment of the government is to keep moving our country forward. As institutions in the public sector, the private sector and our community continue to mature, so will the changes take place to reflect and accommodate this maturity.

I wish you a successful meeting.

Soifua.
 

SamoaTel backs up Pacific Rugby Champions Upolu Samoa
11 May 2007 - Source: eventpolynesia.com

SamoaTel Chief Executive, Mike Johnston presented a cheque of SAT$15,000 to Samoa Rugby Union CEO Su'a Peter Schuster as part of the company's sponsorship to the Upolu Samoa team who were crowned the Pacific Rugby Cup champions last weekend.

SamoaTel and the SRU's relationship started in October 2006 and continues to flourish. Mr Johnston said that "our most visible involvement has been with the Samoa 7's circuit and Samoa 7's team."

SamoaTel's support for rugby in Samoa has now extended to the Pacific Rugby Cup.

Upolu Samoa beat Tonga's Tau'uta Reds in Nuku'alofa last weekend in the final of the 2007 IRB Pacific Rugby Cup. It was the second time in consecutive years that a Samoan team has won the competition after Savaii Samoa's triumph in 2006.

The agreement for the sponsorship was signed earlier this year before the tournament started and Go Mobile was given jersey rights for the Upolu team.

"We seem to be picking the winning teams, first the Samoa 7's and now the Upolu team. But today is all about recognizing the development work of the High Performance Unit and Samoa Rugby Union because the PRC is staying in Samoa for another year," added Johnston.

"The PRC is the stepping stone for local players into the Manu Samoa and we hope that our sponsorship will help these boys achieve their dream of wearing the blue jersey."

Su'a thanked SamoaTel for their generous support for the team, and expressed his hope to continue working together in the future.

The SamoaTel Super 14 draw was also drawn this week with the winners heading off to see the Super 14 final in either South Africa or New Zealand. The semi-finals will be decided this weekend between the Bulls vs Crusaders and Sharks vs Blues. Both semis will be played in South Africa.
 

SPREP announces major regional conservation meeting in PNG
10 May 2007 - Source: SPREP

SPREP and the Roundtable for Nature Conservation have announced that the 8th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation and Protected Areas will take place on 15-19 October 2007, in Alotau, Papua New Guinea.

The Conference is a key regional meeting of government agencies, NGOs, community based organisations, and donor bodies to discuss and develop a joint vision for conservation in the Pacific Islands.

The theme of the Conference is 'Conservation serving communities, in a rapidly changing world' highlighting the inseparable link between Pacific Islanders and the natural environment; people and the sustainable use of their natural resources, to ensure that the unique Pacific environment is protected.

Globally, there is a growing acknowledgement of the role of communities in driving conservation efforts. In the Pacific, there is a renewed understanding that successful conservation of biodiversity in the Pacific is ultimately about community participation and leadership.

A key outcome of this important conference is the development of a regional framework to guide nature conservation in the Pacific Islands.

This Conference will review the successes of the Action Strategy for Nature Conservation (2003-2007), the Pacific's overarching framework for biodiversity conservation. The Strategy was developed in 2002 by more than 300 environment practitioners, government officials, and NGO representatives.

The year 2007 marks a significant milestone for nature conservation in the Pacific, with the Roundtable for Nature Conservation celebrating a decade of successes.

The Roundtable is the Pacific's largest cross-sectoral network for nature conservation comprising more than 30 groups working to protect the Pacific's rich and unique biodiversity.

For more information on the conservation conference please visit www.sprep.org/roundtable
 

Six graduate from Oceania University of Medicine
09 May 2007 - Source: eventpolynesia.com

Six medical students graduated from the Oceania University of Medicine at Motootua last weekend.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi highlighted the significant stand taken by the University in pursuing its dream, also speaking highly of the achievement set by the graduands. He mentioned the struggle faced by the University as they took the first step when they opened five years ago.

He also credited former Minister of Health Mulitalo Siafausa for his persistence in pushing for the Government to give the green light for the University.

Also highlighted was the achievement of the first Samoan to graduate from the University, Tapa Ulai Fidow. Tuilaepa said that Tapa has set a good example for the Samoan students who wanted to take up medicine as a career, and enrol at the University rather than going overseas.

The six graduands come from as far as India, the United States of America and Australia. Dr James Bodel of the US was declared the overall best student.

Other graduands were Dr Tapa Ulai Fidow, Dr Christopher John Douglas Inkson, Dr. Anmol Kumar Tandon, Dr James Bodel, Dr Kim Mairie Hayes and Dr Dennis Harris.
 

Junior All Blacks to open campaign in Apia against Manu Samoa
08 May 2007 - Source: eventpolynesia.com

The Samoa Rugby Football Union (SRFU) is to host the Junior All Blacks which will contain a number of Super 14 rugby stars in Apia for an international rugby match on Saturday 26th May. The last New Zealand team of this caliber to visit Samoa's shores was in 1998 when New Zealand A, a team containing the likes of Samoan greats Tana Umaga, Andrew Blowers and Filo Tiatia, played Manu Samoa at Apia Park. The All Blacks have never played Manu Samoa in Apia.

The Junior All Blacks versus Manu Samoa clash is part of the IRB Pacific Nations Cup which will kick off on Saturday 19th May with a game between Fiji and Manu Samoa at Apia Park. Other nations taking part are Australia "A", Japan, Fiji and Tonga.

Local rugby fans and supporters will have an opportunity to get up close with the two teams at a fundraising dinner to be held on the evening of 26th May 2007 at the National University of Samoa after the game between the Junior All Blacks and the Manu Samoa at Apia Park.

Chairman of the Samoa Rugby Union, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, highlighted in a letter canvassing the support of the local business community, the challenge faced by the SRFU "to raise funds to support the game" given that it is a World Cup year. Funds raised at the dinner will go towards sponsoring the Manu Samoa team for its preparations for the World Cup in France later in the year.

Tickets to the Fiji game on Saturday 19th May and the Junior All Blacks game in Apia on Saturday 26th May are now available by contacting the Samoa Rugby Football Union office on telephone (+685) 23961. For corporate tables at the Manu Samoa verses the Junior All Blacks after match function and fundraiser, contact eventpolynesia.com Samoa office (+685) 28-802 or Teleiai Sua Edwin Puni on (+649)521-6700.
 

Business of the week: Joeland Beach Resort
07 May 2007 - Source: eventpolynesia.com

Joeland Beach Resort has one of the best beaches on the big island of Savaii which is the main reason for tourists flocking to the resort in big numbers.

However, in the past month, the resort has undergone major changes to its surrounding environs and word is out it will be one of the most sort after resorts when the facelift is completed.

Joeland Beach Resort is a dream of owner and operator Falesoa Sione and is located along the main road at Lano, Savaii.

The resort started off with three fales but six more are now being built with a big lounge to accommodate the tourists. Part of the plan is to ensure the privacy of the tourists hence the decision to build all fales on one side, with an entertainment area away from the fales.

With entertainment playing a big part now in attracting tourists, Joeland is supplying its own entertainment. In the meantime, other entertaining groups are brought in to fill the void.
In 2002, Falesoa decided to use part of the family land to supplement the family income. It turned out to be a lucrative move.

The fales range from SAT$50 per night, and includes three meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner).

But if your are only there for a swim, then its SAT$2 per person.

Contact person for reservation is Falesoa Sione on telephone (+685) 53746.
 

Person of the week: Matatamalii Sonja Hunter
06 May 2007 - Source: Press Secretariat

Matatamalii Sonja Hunter is the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer for the Samoa Tourism Authority (STA).

Sonja is no stranger to the public sector. Before venturing out to try her hand in the private sector, she held the General Manager position at the Samoa Tourism Authority when it used to be called the Samoa Visitors Bureau.

Her achievements includes a degree in Tourism and Hotel Management from one of Japan's top universities and is currently undertaking a Masters Degree in Business Administration at the University of the South Pacific at Alafua.

After leaving the public sector, she took up work as a sales representative with the Federal Pacific Underwriters and also has a financial adviser for the Colonial Insurance Company.

She also ran and operated a family cakeshop business from Matautu until her recent appointment which returns her to top tourism job in the country she last held seven years ago.
 

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