World Press Freedom Day is marked annually on 3 May. Photo: 123RF
A veteran Samoan journalist says the media in his country should be allowed to work freely and not be controlled by the government.
Galumalemana Autagavaia Tipi, a member of the Journalists Association of Samoa (JAWS), said this in response to the Samoa government's draft media guide.
The draft "protocol", with its proposed new rules for media, was forwarded by JAWS to media outlets in Samoa, to gather input from industry members.
Galumalemana confirmed that any reports about the draft document being leaked were incorrect.
He also confirmed that the Samoan government had consulted the media about the draft guide.
"They [government] called a JAWS executive meeting and introduced the draft media guide, outlining the intention of the government to create a media guideline on how to host press conferences, not only the Prime Minister's weekly press conference but also one for Cabinet ministers."
He said concerns were raised by media members at a meeting on the guidelines.
"They are quite concerned about the government looking into the political background of each media. I don't think that's [government's] job... to scrutinise the political affiliations of the media."
Galumalemana said that the JAW's code of ethics states that "media are not supposed to be involved in politics".
Another of the draft guide's requirements which raises concerns is that journalists would be required to submit questions 24 hours before the government's regular press conferences, which cover Cabinet decisions.
"If questions are going to be given 24 hours, or maybe they are going to be amended to 48 hours or more than that, then [government] should expect the media to have follow-up questions," he said.
The draft guide includes provisions, which require all media to be registered members of the media organisation, but Galumalemana questions how foreign media would meet this requirement.
"Do they also need to be members of local media organisations?"
Galumalemana said that if the government wants to create guidelines for media it must "understand that the national media organisation has their own code of practise as well".
He does not oppose media guidelines in principle, provided that the media is still separate from the Government, rather than controlled by it.
JAWS has sent a number of proposed amendments to the government's draft media document, and is waiting for a response.
This is not the first time the Samoan Government has been at odds with local media.
Prime Minister La'aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt. Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Tipi Autagavaia
In November, Prime Minister La'aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt temporarily banned Samoa Observer reporters from attending government press conferences.
At the time, La'aulialemalietoa said the Samoa Observer had been unfair and inaccurate in its reporting on him, particularly during his health stay in New Zealand.
When asked if he thinks Samoa is heading the same direction, with regards to media control, that Fiji did under the Bainimarama Government's, Tipi replied, "I believe so".