Journalists Association of Samoa

Shock and Resilience in Samoa

2010-01-31T17:22:00.000-08:00

By Jon Stephenson of Dart Centre

Dart Centre Australasia Managing Director Cait McMahon conducts a post-tsunami debriefing with staff from a Samoan television station in Apia, the country's capital. Many Samoan journalists experienced scenes of death and devastation in the immediate aftermath of the September, 2009 tsunami, which took 149 lives and destroyed more than 20 villages. Photo: Jon Stephenson
Mata’afa Kene Lesa woke up in heaven Sept. 19 and found himself in hell. When a tsunami struck Upolu, one of Western Samoa’s two main islands, Lesa – the editor of Samoa Observer – was one of the first local journalists to respond, racing to the affected area to be met by scenes of death and devastation.
“We were there within 40 minutes,” Lesa says. “The images were just graphic.”
Reporters accustomed to covering nothing more dramatic than sporting events, political infighting or a late-night brawl were suddenly confronted with disaster on a scale they could scarcely have imagined.
“We’re used to thinking about Samoa as paradise,” says Lesa, “and to go from paradise to complete chaos just like that is something we’ll never forget.”
More than 20 villages lay battered and bruised, with dozens of Samoans dead, missing or injured. The death toll would eventually climb to 149.
It hardly needs stating that the numbers tell only part of the story, giving little sense of the impact this tragedy has had in Samoa – a close-knit society with a population of just 180,000.
“I don’t suppose there is a person in Samoa who hasn’t lost relatives,” says Russell Hunter, one of Lesa’s colleagues at the Observer.
The extent of the tsunami’s impact on Samoans was much in evidence when Dart Centre Australasia Managing Director Cait McMahon and I arrived in Samoa’s capital, Apia, three weeks after the disaster, at the invitation of the Journalists’ Association of Western Samoa (JAWS) in collaboration with the Dart Centre Australasia and the International Federation of Journalists.
Coming from Australia and New Zealand respectively, each of us had already seen coverage in our own media portraying the sense of shock and loss Samoans were experiencing. However, seeing the destruction up close and hearing first-hand accounts of the disaster was more directly and deeply moving.
Local journalists have been especially hard hit. Like their fellow Samoans – emergency workers, in particular – they’ve witnessed some ghastly scenes. Some lost friends or relatives; others played a direct role in the recovery of bodies – in several cases, transporting those bodies to makeshift morgues.
Unlike their compatriots, they then had to report for days and weeks on the tsunami and its aftermath – an exhausting and unsettling experience, not least for the younger reporters.
During our four-day visit, organized by JAWS secretary Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson, Cait and I focused first and foremost on listening to our Samoan colleagues – learning something of what they have lived through, and the personal as well as professional challenges they have faced as a result.
We also offered suggestions: Cait on techniques for dealing with physical and psychological responses to trauma; I on ideas and techniques for trauma reporting.
The emphasis on “suggestions” was important for both of us. Having been invited into someone else’s living room, we did not want to be seen as instructing our hosts on how to re-arrange their furniture.
Cait and I were mindful we were dealing with trauma issues in a Samoan rather than Western cultural context. One-on-one counseling, or “therapy,” for instance, is more widely practiced in the West than it is in Samoa, where close family and community ties can help foster effective peer-support.
We were also mindful of the fact that some Western journalists had set less-than-stellar examples of sensitive and compassionate reporting in their coverage of the tsunami. One international journalist, who interviewed a Samoan worker at length about the damage to his resort, failed to ask about the man’s personal welfare.
If she had done so, she would have learned that he’d just lost several members of his immediate family.
On the whole, however, the Samoan community felt that international journalists as well as local reporters had done an excellent job under difficult circumstances. This was acknowledged in a speech of thanks by Samoa’s prime minister, Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi.
There was tremendous gratitude, too, for the efforts of Australian and New Zealand defence force personnel, who delivered much-needed relief supplies to Samoans. And as is often the case with disasters, there were also uplifting accounts of quiet courage and resilience on the part of locals – qualities that will be in great demand in the days ahead.
Cait and I left Samoa with a clear impression of the pain and dislocation left in the tsunami’s wake, but humbled and encouraged by our colleagues’ strength and their commitment to healing themselves and their nation. As one reporter told us: “There is still a lot of shock and confusion, but there’s an emerging desire to move on and rebuild."

Post Tsunami Samoa Editors’ Forum - PM Address

2010-01-31T17:02:00.000-08:00

This week (Nov 2009) in Samoa, the Pacific Media Human Rights Project held a Post-Tsunami Samoa Editors’ Forum with Samoa’s leading journalists. Below is the speech delivered by Samoa’s Prime Minister Sailele Malielegaoi Tuilaepa on why he supports the set up of a Media Council for Samoa. We have also included here a post published by Journalists Association of (Western)Samoa (JAWS) on this issue. They debate their differences and disagreement on this issue.

Post Tsunami Samoa Editor’s Forum
Prime Minister’s Remarks

Tuilaepa Sailele Lupesoliai Malielegaoi
Tuesday, 17 November – Aggie Grey’s Conference Room

Thank you for inviting me to your Post Tsunami Samoa Editors Forum particularly in view of the vigorous media reaction to my comments on the quality of the media’s reporting of developments in the aftermath of the Tsunami.
In May this year at a function to Commemorate Media Freedom Day, which also included participants from around the region to a seminar organised jointly by UNESCO and the International Federation of Journalist, I had also made a special plea for the media to improve and maintain high reporting standards.
Let me say again that there is no question about the importance to our societies of a media that is able to report news in complete freedom, express opinions and make criticisms without fear of repression. The media’s power to influence public perceptions is a powerful force and is precisely the reason why the media must also accept and observe the great responsibility of ensuring balanced and fair reporting of news and stories.
This is the context of why I kept reminding our media over the weeks following the Tsunami of the importance of maintaining standards of reporting by ensuring that you do not rely on rumours and hearsay but to go and see personally whether a version provided to the reporter is credible, find out what is in fact the widely held view and then report accordingly.
In a sensitive and highly charged situation, such as in the aftermath of the Tsunami, it becomes even more important that the reporter feels assured that the media story is balanced and presents a full picture of what is going on. I do not need to remind on the key roles of the editor and publisher in this process.
I know that there must be heavy pressures of running a media outlet to meet timelines and in achieving the bottom line of making money to operate the business. I recall that not so long ago a well known reporter of New Zealand’s TV One (Barbara Dreaver) was criticised even by some of our media here of sloppy reporting. In that case where it was felt that media standards were violated, there is a Media Council and Tribunal for New Zealand where complaints could be lodged. Indeed that is where complaints have been referred to after that incident. There is nothing similar in Samoa and is why I keep asking leaders in Samoa’s media to do something to help enforce standards. I recall discussing this very concept of a Council with representatives of the media over 5 years ago. My impression then was that you were extremely anxious to go ahead with it as part of the reforms you wanted to do to improve media reporting. For these reasons, I have always supported requests of JAWS to have media workshops and media conferences in Samoa. I also always accept invitations to the JAWS organised events where I can make directly my views, as I am again now making, in the interests of encouraging good standards in media reporting.
One of the important reasons for my perennial reminders on good standards is that if media stories Post Tsunami are not properly collaborated or for some reason are deliberately biased, these can cause much harm to how we are perceived by people of other countries who by and large rely on media reports to form a picture of our country and people.
As I have said before and on countless previous occasions, constructive criticism from the media is indispensable for the development of society. The insidious danger to guard against is when journalists become careless, and worse become egotistical and self-righteous in believing that every opinion they present must be good and right for society because “they have said it”.
My final point which I have also made in remarks I made before in other JAWS events, and are also relevant in the post Tsunami period, is the importance in my view of the media making a more conscious effort to focus on positive stories rather than the often heavy diet of negative ones that the media tends to revert to in daily offerings. A bombardment of negativity can easily sap morale as the people begin to question whether anything good at all is happening in their community.
Finally, I want to let you know that we are doing our best, as we had done from the time of the immediate aftermath of the Tsunami, to help those affected. A great deal has been done and a lot more is being done and will be done in terms of recovery and reconstruction of the areas that were devastated. There is also a strategy to relocate people to higher ground for safety not just in preparation for another Tsunami, but as part of a more general adaptation programme in anticipation of climate change and sea level rise.
Since the Tsunami and in the period ahead, Samoa has worked closely with our international developmental partners and non-government organisations who also have members participating in meetings of the National Disaster Council and Advisory Committee. The participation in the Council and Committee of representative of foreign governments and International organisations including NGOs like the Red Cross provide an effective mechanism for checks and balance against any abuses in the distribution and use of assistance received. As it happened, a negative media report based on hearsay was corrected by overseas volunteers who were part of the distribution teams and whose organisations are members of the Council and Committee. Besides the Council and Committee meetings, there are also separate coordination meetings between major donors and the government. This is the bigger picture that the media seems to miss from time to time.
I do not know whether I will again cop another dose of scathing criticism from the media for my comments this morning. If that happens, I can only comfort myself in the knowledge that the media in a roundabout way has my best interests at heart by acting as my publicity agents!!!
Jokes aside, I want to end my remarks to again encourage you to establish a Media Council to oversee standards even if I get blamed when I do so as being dictatorial and often referred to in some very expressive metaphors from my critics. That is media freedom.
This is the freedom of the media in our country and some of you have won several international awards over it. Even JAWS in its wisdom considered my contribution to ‘the cause’ of media freedom to merit the Award that sits prominently in my office.
I thank you again for inviting me and wish you a successful discussion for the remainder of your Forum.
Soifua.

(The report courtesy of Pacific Eye Witness)

Post-Tsunami Editors Forum

2009-11-12T16:24:00.000-08:00

You are invited to take part in the Post-Tsunami Editors Forum on the 17th of November 2009, hosted by the Pacific Media Human Rights Project, an initiative of the New Zealand Human Rights Commission.

The Post Tsunami Editors Forum will bring together heads of newsrooms from across Samoa to share their experiences about their coverage of the 29.09.2009 tsunami. Sponsored by the Pacific Media Human Rights Project, the Forum will also look at the views of Editors in regards to the future of disaster reporting in Samoa.
We would appreciate your time to be part of this Forum, to present a 5-10 minute paper on your experience in reporting about the tsunami. We would appreciate your reflections, advice or encouragement in regards to what you have been through. We understand that this was a hard time for the Samoan media and the forum will provide a chance to discuss amongst peers, lessons learnt from the coverage of the tsunami.
The event will take place at the Aggie Greys Conference Room at 10am on the 17th of November 2009.

Contact 777 3776 or jawsexec@yahoo.com for more information.

Environment Weekly launched

2009-11-02T22:33:00.000-08:00

APIA - The first specialised publication on environment news has been launched in Samoa.

Environment Weekly was launched in August, and has been featured widely in international newswires and agencies.

Founded by Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson, the publication has covered important environmental issues in Samoa including climate change and biodiversity.

Environment Weekly also known as ENWIK or EW is available online at http://www.environmentweekly.ws/ and is published every Friday and available in the usual newsprint distributing stores. The print version can also be viewed online.

Views differ over PM 's call

2009-11-02T20:47:00.000-08:00

By Mataafa Keni Lesa

Samoa Observer - Views from media owners and industry leaders differ over the establishment of a media council. The issue has resurfaced after a challenge from Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi to establish one to monitor standards of reporting in Samoa. The challenge is the result of what the Prime Minister called irresponsible reporting regarding the distribution of aid to tsunami victims.
The Prime Minister said claims of air rort should be investigated before they are publicised.“Why haven’t you been able to set up a body where you can investigate yourselves?” Tuilaepa asked.“I’m talking about journalists who carry stories without investigating them first. In New Zealand and Australia, they have councils, who punish writers like that.“But we cannot have a council in Samoa when the old heads running newspapers lead by example in bringing crooked stories.”Samoa Observer’s Editor-in-Chief and World Press Freedom Hero, Savea Sano Malifa said he was unsure what “crooked stories” the Prime Minister was talking about.“It seems that the Prime Minister also wants to control the private media,” he said. Savea said the Journalists Association of (Western) Samoa (JAWS) “should desist any attempt by anyone including the Prime Minister to set up a media council. “Such an eventuality would be an affront to the freedom of expression, democracy and intelligence of the people of this country.“We already have enough laws to protect members of the public against abuses by the media. An attempt therefore by the Prime Minister to set up a council to censor newspaper reports is totally unnecessary and uncalled for.”Another veteran journalist, Apulu Faumuina Lance Polu said the need for a Media Council was realised by JAWS “long before this.” The former President of Pacific Islands News Association and JAWS reminded about “Ian Beales Report through the Commonwealth Foundation. “JAWS, under my time as President and ensuing leaderships saw the need for this many years ago, in order for the media to self regulate rather than being influenced or dictated to by outside forces - politicians included.“What’s needed is a body similar to the NZ Broadcasting Standards Authority that is supposed to have investigated the Barbara Dreaver’s report, again on complaints of our politicians on her Gangs and Drugs in Samoa report.”Apulu, however, said it’s not simple because: • Funding and the cost for a panel of (at least three) independent members to review and decide on every complaint on the media. The Councils brief maybe general not only to cover what maybe perceived as 'inaccurate' reporting but general media/ethical standards such as advertising content, language use, programme content (Radio & TV), etc............• Legal basis of such a Council so that its decisions should be binding and respected not only by the media outlets but the general public.• Independence of the council is vital which means looking at the caliber of members here in Samoa. As their integrity should command public confidence in the media and transcends issues such as media and information freedom and access.“The bottom line is that such a Council must be useful to everyone and I think JAWS must continue the consultation process in order to refine it to a cost effective and useful entity rather than just another body,” he said.Apulu said the Prime Minister cannot tell the media what and how to do it’s job.“But I've scanned some of the comments made by some Samoans who were here, visited the disaster area and returned overseas and made comments whi
ch seem to me are based on a lot of speculations and are in the vein of "according to widely circulated reports..." I have also had such reports and we are investigating.

Tupuola Terry Tavita, Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson“But as we all know, the seriousness of such reports if they could not be substantiated, affect the very victims who are in dire need of the aid. They also affect our credibility when it seems unfair because it is always easy to throw a wild comment in the comfort of distance.“Some of these reports (Upper Hutt and Christchurch) have also generally labelled us [who have consciously chosen not to migrate to NZ but decided to stay and contribute to building this country over the years], as corrupt.“So personally, we also owe it to ourselves to expose if there is something to expose and to also substantiate these reports so that the perpetrators be dealt with by the law, not only for the tsunami victims, but for our country's name and for ourselves as well.”Managing Director of SQB TV One and award-winning producer, Galumalemana Faiesea Lei Sam-Matafeo said it was important for the media to be responsible.“The Prime Minister is saying the stories lack factual basis, if I’m hearing him correctly,” she said. “He’s asking for more responsible and factual reporting. I mean we should also be responsible. But if the stories are factual, the freedom of information must be protected.”Of the Prime Minister’s call to stop coverage of Tautua Samoa issues, Galumalemana said: “If there are significant issues that need to be raised with Tautua, their conferences will be covered. That’s what we’re here for. But if a party keeps flogging a dead horse, then we will not waste our resources.”Editor of Environment Weekly and Secretary of JAWS, Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson said the Prime Minister has no right to tell the media what to report on.“The same way we don't tell him what laws he should and should not pass,” she said. “As journalists we too have to be responsible in our reporting, and when dealing with all topics, it is best to ensure accuracy in everything we write.” Lagipoiva said a Media Council will encourage more accountability in the media.“A media council can preserve the integrity of journalism ethics and ensure that journalists are held accountable for their mistakes, because we do make mistakes,” she said.“A media council however should be neutral and fair, and that is the challenge especially if the council is made of the heads of the news organisations who may end up disciplining some of their own. It is therefore important to bring in a neutral person to take a major role in the council.”Editor of the state-owned Savali Newspaper, Tupuola Terry Tavita said claims about aid abuse, such as those made by Litea Ah Hoi, should not be taken at face value.“If you take the time to enquire at the Disaster Management Office, you'll find that every delivery, every consignment is checked by Treasury at headquarters,” Tupuola said.“Each delivery is accompanied by a policeman and an officer of the audit office. There are also checkpoints on site and people have to sign up for what they were getting and another team of auditors and treasury people does the follow up to ensure that every time, every good is received and accounted for.“Regardless of what the Prime Minister said (I don't speak for him) do you not think we, media people, are doing a great disservice to the hundreds of good and honest people out there not only in the affected areas but manning the DMO, wharves and storage yards, working night and day, for a month now by publishing the unproven comments of people like Ah Hoi?”

IFJ Honours Courage and Integrity of Samoa Journalists

2009-10-19T12:42:00.000-07:00

SYDNEY - The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) honours the courage and professionalism of local and foreign journalists reporting on the tsunami that struck Samoa and nearby Pacific Islands on September 29 killing 119 people.

A trauma debriefing mission to assist local media personnel in dealing with the impacts of reporting wide-scale disaster will be conducted in Samoa this week by the Dart Centre for Journalism and Trauma, at the request of the Journalists’ Association of (Western) Samoa (JAWS) and IFJ Asia -Pacific.

JAWS Secretary Cherelle Jackson said many local journalists had reported the devastation of the tsunami to the international media even as they were unaware of the fate of their families and friends.

“It was hard to report without being affected by what had happened, nothing could prepare any journalist to cover such a tragic event without being personally affected and reduced to tears on the spot,” she said in a statement.

The Alliance Safety and Solidarity Appeal, which is funded by donations from Australian journalists, is jointly supporting the trauma-support program to be conducted in Samoa’s newsrooms by Dart Australasia’s managing director, Cait McMahon, and New Zealand veteran war correspondent Jon Stephenson.

“The IFJ praises the courage and commitment of our Samoan colleagues and their professionalism and integrity in reporting under such extreme and personally affecting circumstances,” IFJ Asia -Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said.

The IFJ stands in solidarity with Samoa ’s journalism community as it meets the challenge of continuing to report on the impacts of such wide-scale disaster.

For further information contact IFJ Asia -Pacific on +612 9333 0919
The IFJ represents over 600 , 000 journalists in 120 countries worldwide

Dart Centre to assist Samoan Journalists who covered tsunami

2009-10-16T18:37:00.000-07:00

APIA (JAWS) - The Dart Centre for Journalism and Trauma have offered assistance for local journalists in dealing with the trauma of reporting on the recent tsunami devastation in Samoa.Cait McMahon the Managing Director of Dart Centre Australasia will be travelling to Samoa with veteran War Correspondent Jon Stephenson to take part in the Post-Tsunami Journalist Debrief Mission, in local newsrooms.

The Debrief Mission is an initiative of the Journalists Association of (Western) Samoa (JAWS) whose member journalists were the first to expose the devastation to the international media..Local Journalist Cherelle Jackson reporting for Agency France-Presse (AFP), was on site shortly after the tsunami had hit and saw first -hand the initial devastation."It was hard to report without being affected by what had happened, nothing could prepare any journalist to cover such a tragic event without being personally affected and reduced to tears on the spot," she said.

In response to the world- wide media attention on Samoa, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) expressed their solidarity with the local media during the week of the tsunami.

Programme Manager of IFJ Asia-Pacific Ms. Deborah Muir said: "We have observed the news reporting of the tsunami tragedy in the Pacific, and commend the professionalism of local journalists and media workers in Samoa to report in the most difficult of circumstances on events that must be affecting you all deeply.We understand your job requires that you report impartially even in extreme circumstances, but we also know that as individuals who are witnessing such traumatic events you too will be suffering."

IFJ offered to assist Samoan journalists and sought the partnership of the Dart Centre.IFJ and Dart will fund the Debrief Mission of McMahon and Stephenson to Samoa.According to Stephenshon who is also an Ochberg Fellow for Dart Centre International says that trauma from the tsunami devastation was spread far and wide."Living in Auckland, the largest Polynesian city in the world, it is impossible not to have a sense of the tremendous shock and loss that Samoans are experiencing."He said: "Samoan journalists have been especially hard hit. Many experienced the tsunami directly and lost friends or relatives, then they had to report on it all. Cait and I are travelling to Samoa to listen to our colleagues, to learn about the challenges they are facing, and to offer whatever support we can."

The Dart Centre specialists will begin Debriefing sessions with local journalists on Tuesday next week.

Background of Dart Specialists

2009-10-16T18:32:00.000-07:00

Cait McMahon

Cait McMahon PhD (Cand.) is a registered psychologist and fulltime managing director of Dart Centre Australasia, with headquarters in Melbourne, Australia and activities throughout the Asia Pacific region. McMahon has been interested in the nexus of journalism and trauma since working as staff counsellor at The Age newspaper in Melbourne, Australia in the mid ‘80’s and 90’s. This interest resulted in postgraduate research in the area in 1993 with subsequent publications.Cait is the only Australian psychologist to be published in the area of journalism and trauma. She has a significant history of clinical private practice, organisational development consulting and employee assistance programs. Cait continues to pursue further research at Swinburne University in Melbourne into journalism and trauma, focussing on both post-traumatic growth and post-traumatic stress experienced by news media professionals.

Jon Stephenson

Jon Stephenson is a New Zealand journalist with extensive experience reporting conflict and trauma. In addition to the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 and the 2003 invasion of Iraq, Jon has reported on the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war in Lebanon and on conflict in Gaza, East Timor and Zimbabwe, as well as on natural disasters such as the 2004 tsunami in Asia, the 2005 earthquake in Pakistan, and the 2008 earthquake in China's Sichuan Province. A graduate of the University of Auckland, Jon has received numerous awards for his journalism, including the prestigious Bayeux-Calvados Prize for War Correspondents. He was a 2008 Ochberg Fellow at the US-based Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma, and was recently appointed to the Center's Australasian advisory board.

Post Tsunami Journalist Debrief Mission

2009-10-16T18:28:00.000-07:00

Dear JAWS Members,
This is to inform you that two members from the Dart Centre for Journalism and Trauma will be travelling to Samoa next week to talk with local journalists regarding their coverage of the tsunami devastation. The mission is to debrief media workers who have been personally affected by the devastation. The mission is in partnership with the International Federation of Journalists based on an initiative by JAWS. The visiting specialists are Cait McMahon the Managing Director of Dart Centre Australasia, and veteran War Correspondent Jon Stephenson. They will be visiting your newsrooms on Tuesday and Wednesday next week.
In the end, JAWS will be hosting a Post Tsunami Journalism Discussion Forum at Le Alaimoana Hotel on Thursday 22nd of October followed by a light lunch in honour of our guests.

For more information contact us at 777 3776.

But here are some useful links:

Dart Centre Website: http://dartcenter.org/
IFJ Pacific Website: http://asiapacific.ifj.org/en
JAWS Website: http://jawsamoa.blogspot.com/

Faafetai

JAWS Secretary

JAWS grieves for late Peter Letiu

2009-10-06T20:19:00.000-07:00

APIA - The Executive Board of JAWS today took part in the funeral of Radio Announcer and host of the Love Songs to Midnight Show on Fetu FM, Peter Letiu.

Peter who was a volunteer fireman, died on Tuesday when his firetruck rolled of a steep road on the island of Upolu, while heading towards the South Side of the island to assist in tsunami recovery efforts by the Fire Services.

Peter is known in the media circles and contributed greatly to the establishment of Fetu Fm station. Peter was also a photographer, graphic designer and make up artist. He was also a major part of the advertising industry in Samoa.

JAWS expressed heartfelt sympathies to Peters family, colleagues and friends.

May he rest in peace.

Reporting on the tsunami: Assistance for Journalists

2009-10-04T15:32:00.000-07:00

Tips for covering traumatic events in your community:

1. Understand that your coverage of a traumatic event will have an impact on your readership, viewers or listeners. Remember that the tone of your coverage may reflect the tone of the community’s reaction to it. Thus, you should establish policies that affect your coverage: For example, consider coverage of public memorial services for the victims, instead of private funerals. And, if you do decide to cover private services, call the funeral home to ensure that you will not intrude.

2. Write stories about the victims’ lives and their effect on your community. These are short stories about the victims, their favorite hobbies, what made them special, and the ripple effect of their lives. In many cases, victims’ relatives want to talk when they realize that the reporter is writing these types of stories. In 1995 after the Oklahoma City bombing, The Oklahoman called these stories “Profiles of Life.” The Oklahoman also did “Profiles of Life” after the record F-5 tornado outbreak in May 1999 that killed 44 people and the plane crash in January 2000 that killed the 10 members of the Oklahoma State University basketball team and staff. After the Sep. 11, 2001, World Trade Center attack, The New York Times called its short stories about the victims “Portraits of Grief.” The Asbury Park Press called its stories “In Tribute.” These short stories can be published daily in a similar format until all of the victims have been featured. They sometimes lead to bigger stories, too.

3. Provide forums on what people are thinking, especially words of encouragement. Offer lists for ways people can help and how they have helped. Frank M. Ochberg, M.D., chairman emeritus of the Dart Center Executive Committee, says, “Journalists and therapists face similar challenges when they realize their subjects are at risk of further injury. Techniques may differ, but objectives are the same: to inform about sources of help.”

4. Find ways people are helping, including acts of kindness, and report on them throughout the recovery process. This may provide hope for the community.

5. Constantly ask these questions: What does the public need to know and how much coverage is too much? When does a medium become infatuated with a story when the public is not? A community is much more than a mass killing or disaster. The coverage must reflect that.

From the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma

Tsunami Reporting: Tips for taking care of yourself in the field

2009-10-04T15:26:00.000-07:00

From the Dart Journalist and Trauma Center. This is for the sake of local journalists covering the Tsunami devastation. Please take care of yourselves.

1. Know your limits. If you’ve been given a troublesome assignment that you feel you cannot perform, politely express your concerns to your supervisor. Tell the supervisor that you may not be the best person for the assignment. Explain why.

2. Take breaks. A few minutes or a few hours away from the situation may help relieve your stress.

3. Find someone who is a sensitive listener. It can be an editor or a peer, but you must trust that the listener will not pass judgment on you. Perhaps it is someone who has faced a similar experience.

4. Learn how to deal with your stress. Find a hobby, exercise, attend a house of worship or, most important, spend time with your family, a significant other or friends — or all four. Try deep-breathing. The Eastern Connecticut Health Network recommends that you “take a long, slow, deep breath to the count of five, then exhale slowly to the count of five. Imagine breathing out excess tension and breathing in relaxation.” All of these can be effective for your mental and physical well-being.

5. Understand that your problems may become overwhelming. Before he died in April 1945, war correspondent Ernie Pyle wrote, “I’ve been immersed in it too long. My spirit is wobbly and my mind is confused. The hurt has become too great.” If this happens to you, seek counseling from a professional.

JAWS no vote at PINA

2009-09-14T21:05:00.000-07:00

JAWS did not vote at PINA despite the presence of four participants from the Samoa side. Secretary of JAWS admitted to not having paid membership but quetioned JAWS still being invited to the meeting in Port Vila.
JAWS President tentatively decided to halt all connections with PINA after the hostile treatment they received in Port Vila. JAWS now openly supports activities of PFF who has not failed to support media freedom issues in Samoa, and was usually the first to respond to the plight of Samoan journalists.
JAWS is now working in partnership with the International Federation of Journalists on other media freedom activities in the region. JAWS has and will continue to adhere to promotion of media freedom in the Pacific.

JAWS Forum draws passionate response from Journalists

2009-09-14T21:02:00.000-07:00

APIA - The Roundtable Discussions hosted by the Journalists Association of Western Samoa (JAWS) on Friday drew some passionate responses from local journalists.
Held on the eve of World Press Freedom Day (WPFD), the event brought together local Editors, Journalists and Foreign Correspondents to discuss press freedom issues in Samoa.
Representatives from Newsline, Samoa Observer, Savali Newspaper, Star TV, Radio Polynesia, TV Samoa, Radio New Zealand International, TV3, Fetu FM, NUS Journalism and the Press Secretariat were present.
Held at Le Alaimoana Hotel the meeting brought forward issues faced by local journalists in the pursuit of truth in the news.

Court Harassment
One of the main press freedom issues was protection for journalists covering court proceedings.
According to Tipi Autagavaia, Correspondent for RNZI, there needs to be special consideration given to those covering sensitive cases through the courts.
Melani Pini, a Journalist for Newsline Newspaper and one of the victims of harassment at the courts told the forum that at times he fears for his safety when reporting outside the courts.
“It’s fair enough for the reporters who are bigger but for us small ones, we are more vulnerable,” Pini said.
Editor of Savali Newspaper, Tupuola Terry Tavita suggested negotiations with law enforcers for special protection.
“JAWS should look into meeting with Justice and even the Police Commissioner to discuss options to ensure the safety of court reporters,” he said.
The President of JAWS, Papalii Ualetenese Taimalelagi said JAWS would look into the matter.

Self Examination
The second main issue discussed at the meeting was brought forward by Editor of Samoa Observer Mataafa Keni Ramese Lesa.
“In the past twelve months there have not been many press freedom issues faced by local Journalists, but to me, I feel that this is a good time for us to self examine and look inwards at our own capacity and capabilities in the industry.”
According to Mataafa the external challenges faced by Journalists are obvious, but it is the internal challenges that need to be addressed.
Ame Sene, Correspondent for TV Samoa in New Zealand agreed with Mataafa.
“Even your presentation, what you wear reflects on your respect for news coverage,” she said.
Misa Vicky Lepou, Lecturer at the National University of Samoa Journalism School said that a careful observation of Journalism ethics can reflect positively on local Journalists.
According to Sports Editor of Radio Polynesia Sioeli Alofaifo, Journalists need be more well versed in their area of interest.
“At press conferences with well known sports people, the quality of questions asked by local Journalists are poor, we all need to make an attempt to be more well versed before going into press conferences,” Alofaifo said.

Barbara Dreaver
Apart from issues directly affecting the local media, a passionate debate took place about the recent TVNZ report by Barbara Dreaver.
The topic brought out varied opinions from the Journalists whom in the end decided that it was Journalism ethics that JAWS needed to focus on, and not on the debate of whether or not Samoa looked good in the report or not.

Public Documents
Outside of direct threats to Journalists, the meeting looked at constraints imposed by Government Ministries and bodies in the pursuit of two sides to the stories.
According to Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson, General Secretary of JAWS, the Ministries need to be reminded that public documents are indeed for the access of not just the public but Journalists as well.
“The strange thing about this is, they are public documents, yet Journalists are denied access to these documents even though we are obtaining them for the benefit of the public,” Lagipoiva said.
Members agreed that there needs to be more transparent processes in Government in regards to the distribution and accessibility of so-called public documents.

Fourth Estate
In the end the roundtable discussions agreed that there needs to be better awareness of the role of the media in society.
“Advocacy is important so that our people understand why Journalists do their jobs,” Misa Vicky Lepou said.
Tipi Autagavaia recommended an awareness campaign on the vital role that the media plays in any democratic society.
According to the Journalists a better understanding of Journalists role will avoid any misunderstandings not just at the courts but in other situations that Journalists find themselves in.
Currently there are no specific laws to protect Journalists on duty, only laws which can convict journalists in the line of duty.
There is also no Freedom of Information Act in Samoa, however Samoas press freedom issues pale in comparison to Fiji and Papua New Guinea.
JAWS will be hosting the official World Press Freedom Day for the Pacific on the 8th of May along with media colleagues from around the region.
JAWS continues to uphold media ethics and promote the role of the media in Samoa, JAWS as the only media association continues to take a strong on issues relating to freedom of the media.

JAWS Press Freedom Forum today

2009-05-01T14:43:00.000-07:00

JAWS will today host a Press Freedom FOrum for local journalists to discuss issues pertaining to freedom of the media in Samoa. In the past months, Journalists have adressed issues relating to their freedom to do their jobs to JAWS, and todays forum will give every media worker the opportunity to bring these issues to the floor.
A statement will be drawn from this activity to be presented at next weeks regional World Press Freedom Day activity also hosted by JAWS in partnership with UNESCO.

IFJ Calls for Respect for Media as Reporters Attacked in Samoa

2009-03-30T19:00:00.002-07:00

March 30 2009 - The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) calls for an immediate renewal of public respect for journalists and press freedom in the Pacific island state of Samoa after a spate of attacks on court reporters.

According to the Journalists’ Association of Western Samoa (JAWS), a camera operator and a news reporter were attacked while reporting on a high-profile trial of a church leader at Samoa’s Supreme Court in the capital, Apia, on March 24.

The media workers were reportedly chased away from the court entrance by members of the public attending the trial.

Two newspaper reporters were physically threatened at the court the following day, JAWS reported.

“JAWS calls upon the public to be mindful that a journalist reports not for his or her own sake but for the sake of our readers, listeners and audiences,” JAWS Secretary Cherelle Jackson said in a statement.

“By hindering the work of journalists, members of the public are inadvertently infringing upon the people’s right to know and be informed.”

The IFJ joins JAWS in calling for authorities in Samoa to provide additional protection to any media worker reporting on the remaining proceedings of the trial and on any matter of public interest.

“Court reporting is a necessary part of ensuring transparency in governance and justice in a democratic state,” IFJ Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said.

“It is the responsibility of the Samoan authorities to send a clear message to any person who attacks members of the media that their actions undermine this process and will not be tolerated.”

IFJ Calls for Respect for Media as Reporters Attacked in Samoa

2009-03-30T19:00:00.001-07:00

JAWS Statement on Harassment of Journalists at Courts

2009-03-30T18:22:00.000-07:00

APIA (27 March 2009) - The Journalists Association of (Western) Samoa , (JAWS) in response to complaints by members wish to reiterate that we will not tolerate the harassment of local Journalists in the pursuit of truth. Journalists play an important role in any society, the media is the fourth estate of democracy and it is essentially the eyes and ears of society. We, the Journalists are informants of the public and therefore have a duty to our readers, listeners and audiences to seek to the best of our ability, both sides of every story.
Recently we have received reports that members of the public have attacked and threatened Journalists and Camera Crew outside the Court house while covering court proceedings. The harassment of Journalists is a direct threat on media freedom itself. By hindering the work of Journalists members of the public are inadvertently infringing upon the people’s right to know and be informed.
We call upon our law enforcers to assist in the protection of local Journalists in their duty at the courts. JAWS calls upon the public to be mindful that a Journalist reports not for his or her own sake but for the sake of our readers, listeners and audiences.
JAWS calls upon the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) to support the organisation in this statement for the sake of media freedom in Samoa.
JAWS , reiterates that media freedom is integral to democracy.

Samoan medias annual get together

2009-03-30T18:17:00.002-07:00

APIA (feb) - Samoan Journalists, Editors, Camera Crew, Advertising Reps and PR officers came together on Friday night to celebrate the beginning of a new working year for the media reps.
Hosted by JAWS, the Media Cocktail was held at the STA Fale after the organisations AGM.
“This is a tremendous opportunity to come together, relax, have fun, share a few jokes about the past year, and anticipate the beginning of another exciting media year for us,” said Ualetenese Papalii Taimalelagi, President of JAWS on Friday.
The Cocktail also featured a short video of photos from the past three years of JAWS activities.
The pictorial display saw the summing up of various workshops, seminars, conferences and other fun activities hosted and organised by JAWS.
“It is great to see that JAWS has been part of so many great activities, that obviously reflects the need of the industry,” says Misa Vicky Lepou , Journalism Lecturer at NUS.
The event ended in the early hours of Saturday morning as once again the President who is the Government Press Secretary, a Samoa Observer Photographer, a RNZI Correspondent and a TV Executive played the guitars and ukulele, singing local songs as the rest of the gathering cheered on.
Only in Samoa, does this happen.

Samoan medias annual get together

2009-03-30T18:17:00.001-07:00

JAWS to sponsor top student Journalism Award

2009-03-30T18:15:00.001-07:00

APIA (February) - The Journalists Association of [Western] Samoa responded to a request by the Journalism School at the National University of Samoa to sponsor the top Journalism student award for the Faculty from this year onwards.
“Ours is the only school without a sponsor for the top prize,” Journalism Lecturer Misa Vicky Lepou told JAWS.
At the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the association, the members agreed that the top Journalism prize was a worthy investment by JAWS.
“If we have to invest in one cause, this would be the one, as this is after all the future of Journalism in Samoa,” says Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson, Secretary of JAWS.
Since it was established in 2002 the Journalism school has been successfully staffing media organisations in Samoa.
However members of JAWS did express a disappointment in the quality of some students coming out of the course and expressed a concern at the lack of active participation by the Industry Advisory Panel in the course.
There was a unanimous decision by the members of JAWS to sponsor a specially marked trophy for the top student of the course for this year, and pending approval for every year from now on.

JAWS to sponsor top student Journalism Award

2009-03-30T18:15:00.000-07:00

JAWS Board re-elected for third consecutive year

2009-03-30T18:13:00.000-07:00

APIA (January 09) - At the Annual General Meeting of the Journalists Association of [Western] Samoa (JAWS), the 2008 Board was re-elected and voted in for the third consecutive year.
“We see that the current Board has done a terrific job, so why change,” said former JAWS President and RNZI Correspondent Tipi Autagavaia.
The three year Board is made up of Papalii Ualetenese Taimalelagi as President, Lagi Keresoma as Vice President, Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson as Secretary, Angela Kronfeld-Polu as Treasurer, Sioeli Alofaifo as Assistant Treasurer and Ame Sene as Assistant Secretary.
Despite advice by the Board to reconsider and revote all positions as dictated by the Constitution of JAWS, the members insisted on re-electing all Executive Members to all their current positions.
“This is not the first time it has happened, and I guess it is a good reflection of our work,” Papalii said.
In the past year JAWS has been involved in the organising of a regional Human Rights Media Conference, as well as in country training on environment reporting, and sponsoring a Public Relations workshop for PR Officers in Government and the Private Sector.
JAWS continues to work in the interest of freedom of the media.

List of Activities for 2009 AGM

2009-03-30T18:10:00.000-07:00

List of Activities for Year 2008
February: JAWS/SPREP Seminar on Coral Reefs (PYOR)
March: JAWS issues statement on Russell Hunter deportation
April: Pacific Human Rights Media Conference in Samoa
April: JAWS Pacific Media Cocktail
April: JAWS Public Relations Training by Geoff Hodinott
May: JAWS Editors and Senior Journalists Forum
May: JAWS WPFD Fun Walk
September: JAWS Informal Meeting with IFJ in Australia
October: JAWS/SPREP Climate Change Seminar
October: Pacific Climate Change Roundtable Media Conference
November: JAWS / IFJ Statement on Police Inquiry limitations
December: JAWS/NUS/UQ Online Press Conference

New TV and radio, February launch

2009-02-01T17:27:00.000-08:00

Written by Alan Ah Mu

Samoa Observer

APIA- A television station and radio station are to go on air early February. This follows of test transmissions in recent weeks. Both stations are owned by STAR (Samoa Television and Radio) Network.
The new TV station, Star Television, is a free to air service.The new radio, Fetu FM, is to transmit on 93.7 and 104.1 frequencies.
Both services boast of an 80 percent population coverage. Executive Director, broadcaster and journalist Apulu Lance Polu, says it has been a lot of work and a lifetime goal to get the TV and Radio up and running.
“I’ve always wanted to have and operate my own TV and Radio, having worked for the government media during a much controlled environment which I left in 1993 to set up my own media company,” Apulu says.
“Then I waited when the Government announced plans to sell what was SBC,” he says.“However, my bid was rejected very early in the process by the Task Force for the sale headed by Treasury and I knew I had to get around it the long way.”The license was approved last November. Says Apulu, “We are a free to air station and we will be providing local programmes down the line when we have trained staff and we do hope to provide a better product for the public and business community.”Apulu owns STAR Network in partnership with George Pitt of the Cook Islands.

Staffing

“Getting well trained and experienced staff for journalism and media in Samoa is hard to come by,” he says.
“It was the main vision behind the Journalism and Media Studies Programme now taught at the National University of Samoa. “I initiated the idea as President of JAWS and was fully supported by the Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi way back in 1999.
“It is a challenge for the course to produce well trained Samoans to work in the local media industry which has grown so rapidly over the last 10 years.“But we aim to employ young and dedicated staff, retrain them by honing their skills and talents so they can work all three media - writing, on air presentation, camera work, editing etc. so basically all will be multi skilled.”

Limited Market

“Some people have made reference to the ‘small Samoan market.’“But I know of the Pacific media thriving in markets as small as 10,000 people. “But we are fortunate that others have made the mistakes in the media in Samoa that we hope to avoid. “I think that the key in these small markets is utilizing the available technology and not having unnecessary overheads. “And we will be offering competitive prices that are much lower than the existing advertising rates because of that.”

The owners

“George Pitt and I have known each other for a very long time. “He owns the Pitt Media Group in the Cook Islands. “His mother is Samoan and was born in Apia. “We’ve been together on many international media conferences and we were on the first ever delegation of Pacific Journalists and media practitioners to the Peoples Republic of China in 2003 that I led as PINA President. “Pitt’s interest in the whole project is to revive the Christian programming that used to be on TBN which has a big following locally. “We are committed to assigning air time for Christian programming.”Apulu Lance Polu is a broadcaster and journalist who studied as a UNESCO Broadcasting Fellow in Samoa, New Zealand and later Japan. He is a former Head of News and Programmes for the Samoa Broadcasting Services and presented the first TV Local News when TV Samoa was founded in 1993 in which he pushed for a more Samoan image for local TV presenters. He left at the end of that year to establish Talamua Media, a multi-media company that owns the Online News website talamua.com and other publications. He is the longest serving President of the Journalists Association of Samoa – JAWS from 1989-2003 under which the Journalism and Media Studies programme was launched at the National University of Samoa.He is a former President of PINA (Pacific Islands News Association) and currently represents the Pacific in the Executive Board of the Commonwealth Journalists Association - CJA. His lasting contribution to broadcasting is in the series of Samoan short stories he created in 1982, Palolomua and the follow up Leulupani which is named after a small farm where he was

NOTICE: JAWS AGM 2009

2009-02-01T17:19:00.000-08:00

Members of JAWS are hereby advised that the Annual General Meeting for the Association will be held this Friday at the STA Fale at 5:00pm.

Event: JAWS AGM
Time: 5:00pm
Venue: STA Fale

AGENDA:
Welcoming
Presidents Report
Activity Report
Treasurers Report
Other Matters
Election of Officers
End AGM

JAWS COCKTAIL
Introduction of new media into industry
- Womans Time, Star TV, Fetu FM

Please be reminded to pay your membership and organisation fee on the date of AGM.

Faafetai

Cherelle Jackson
Secretary JAWS

Climate Change Seminar for Samoan Media

2008-10-25T16:00:00.000-07:00

APIA (SPREP) - The basics of climate change were explained to representatives of the Samoan media during a lunch hour seminar earlier this week.
The seminars acknowledge the important role of the media in disseminating information on this issue of critical importance to the Pacific.
It is hoped that a better-informed media that will ultimately result in a better-informed public on climate change issues.
The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), in conjunction with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Government of Samoa (MNRE) and the Journalists Association of Samoa (JAWS) worked together to stage the Climate Change Media Seminar.
Annie Rasmussen, the Principal Climate Change Officer of MNRE made a presentation on the work that has been undertaken in Samoa to adapt to climate change, along with some of the challenges faced. Espen Ronneberg, SPREP’s Climate Change Adviser, provided the journalists with the basic knowledge on climate change and some of the work being carried out at the regional level. “I think it went quite well - we tried to bring across the key climate change messages in a non-technical manner.
We explained impacts on Samoa and the Pacific Islands Countries, tried to explain some of the issues for reporting, that mitigation is minimal in global terms but sends a political message of importance - 33% by 2015, and that the global scientific community agree that it is happening, it is feasible and economical to take action.
Adaptation is possible, but it is critical that action begin now” according to Ronneberg.”Both Ronneberg and Rasmussen stressed that adaptation must be done in a sustainable manner acceptable to the community.Representatives from a large number of media organisations throughout Samoa were present for the climate change media seminar.

*JAWS acknowledges the assistance of Nanette Woonton, Espen Ronnerberg and Anne Rasmussen.

Samoa Observer launches new website

2008-10-25T15:57:00.001-07:00

Samoa Observer, one of the founding members of JAWS launched its newly revamped website two days ago. The website presents the same content from its print publication but with a more interactive approach. JAWS congratulates Samoa Observer on the new site. You can find it at www.samoaobserver.ws.

IFJ Expresses Concern Over Restrictions on Independent Reporting in Samoa

2008-10-25T15:52:00.000-07:00

SYDNEY - The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) expresses concern at reports of controls over the release of information to the media about a high profile inquiry into a senior official, thus infringing on the rights of the Samoan public to be informed.
Guidelines imposed by Ombudsman Maiava Iulai Toma on reporting the Commission of Inquiry into alleged gun smuggling involving the Police Commissioner and others have drawn criticism from journalists and the independent media, the Journalists Association of (Western) Samoa (JAWS) reports. The restrictions severely limit the provision of information or reporting on the Commission’s activities.
Last week the Samoa Observer reportedly ceased its coverage of the Commission in protest at the restrictions.
“It is the media’s job to report any investigation into alleged unlawful activities of senior officials in the public interest,” the IFJ Asia-Pacific said.
“Any action by the courts or government to hinder this duty directly impedes media freedom in Samoa.”
The IFJ supports a call by JAWS for the Ombudsman to adhere to the principles of media freedom by providing open access to information on the Commission.
For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +612 9333 0919
The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 120 countries worldwide

* The statement was issued at the request of JAWS

SBC will get pay of blessings

2008-08-22T14:55:00.000-07:00

SQB Shareholders Will Get Pay Off Blessings

By Pio Sioa

Samoalivenews: Cabinet has reversed an earlier decision not to award redundancy pay packages to the 10 staff members of SBC-TV, who will continue on as shareholders/employees of Samoa Quality Broadcasting, the new owners of the Government’s television and FM radio station.The Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi confirmed the Cabinet decision yesterday.“These staff members are officially employees of Government whose services as public servants are terminated once the new company takes over, so they are entitled to redundancy pay off packages,” PM Tuilaepa told Newsline.“It would be unfair not to grant them redundancy pay when they are still public servants.”The PM admitted that there was a mix up at the start when Cabinet initially decided not to grant the staff involved pay off salary packages.SBC-TV staff members who are non shareholders were the only ones entitled to redundancy pay packages in the earlier decision by Cabinet.The new Cabinet directive is understood to have sparked the Ministry of Finance and the Samoa Broadcasting Corporation into a scramble to re-organise the financial commitment to include those who were left out.The Corporation employs a staff of just of 30 people but a few have selected to stay on with AM Radio, formerly known as Radio 2AP, that will continue to remain with Government.The Minister of Communications and Chairperson of the SBC-TV, Safuneituuga Neri, earlier estimated around $500,000 will have to be budgeted by Government to meet its obligations.But that amount will now have to be adjusted upwards to cater for the additional staff.The new owners of SBC-TV have already paid $2 million tala required under the purchase agreement with Government, to own and operate the television and FM radio station privately.A date is yet to be set however for the official handing over of SBC-TV by Government to its new owners, Samoa Quality Broadcasting.

Australasia and Oceania: The Line of Fire

2008-08-22T14:52:00.000-07:00

By Colin Peters

IPI: In comparison to previous years, this year was a period of relative stability in the region. By and large all nations retained the status quo that had been established by the end of 2006 (with the notable exception of a change of government following Kevin Rudd’s victory in the Australian general elections). However, this does not mean that nations did not have to adjust to new circumstances. In Fiji, in particular, the new government established following the military coup had repercussions for press freedom. In Tonga, to name another example, the extended state of emergency imposed following the November 2006 pro-democracy riots was also felt in the media. These are discussed in the relevant reports to follow.
Press freedom issues also arose in other areas of the pacific that are not dealt with here in individual country reports, but which certainly merit a mention.
In the Cook Islands, proposed legislation that threatened to impinge on the freedom of the press was first revived and then shelved again. The Deputy Prime Minister, Sir Terepai Maoate, promoted proposals to reintroduce a media bill that would establish a government controlled media commission. Several voices spoke out against the need for such a law, including the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cultural Development, Wilkie Rasmussen. The Media Standards Bill was nevertheless presented to Parliament in April, with the backing of Prime Minister Jim Marurai.
If such a bill were to be passed, it would represent a legitimising of government intervention in the media that does not exist anywhere else in the region. Marurai had previously stood against the bill, and when asked why he had changed his earlier view, he stated that he now believed that some form of government control on media reporting was necessary. He also expressed his feelings that the bill did not encroach on freedom of speech or freedom of expression.
The bill went to a select committee for examination, and the establishment of a media council by the Cook Islands media has seen it placed on the backburner for the time being at least. Maoate has welcomed the media council, while expressing doubts over its efficacy. "We will wait and see if the council performs and whether local media live up to their pledge to honour decisions made by the council," he said in a statement posted on the government’s website. "I am very pleased that the local media industry has finally set up their own watchdog body, now responsibility falls back on them to make sure they deliver the best to their public," continued Maoate. Six months was mooted as the time needed to assess whether or not the council was meeting expectations.
In an eerie echo of events of last year, the premises of another Samoan newspaper were destroyed this year. The victim this time around was the newspaper Newsline Samoa, whose headquarters in the Samoan town of Malifa were decimated by fire in August. Although the editor Cherelle Jackson would not say whether or not she believed the newspaper had been targeted, she did suggest that the timing of the fire, just days before the start of the Pacific Games, the region’s main media event of 2007, was notable.
Samoa also witnessed some controversy in June, when the owner of Radio Polynesia, the largest radio station in Samoa, issued a letter to his news teams banning them from attending press conferences held by the leader of the opposition Samoa Democratic United Party (SDUP). In the letter, Maposua Rudolph Keil told journalists that they must "not attend another press conference held by Honourable Asiata Saleimoa Vaai at his office in Fugalei. Should he wish to announce his news items on the air using our facilities he shall have to pay for it, otherwise I will not allow it to be broadcast due to harmful and unproven topics he uses in his press conference." Maposua also indicated that the current government should be praised for the many good projects they have undertaken.
The Journalists’ Association of Samoa (JAWS) expressed dismay at the orders, but Maposua vehemently defended his choice and denied that he was infringing on press freedom. Referring to Asiata’s "unproven comments," Maposua said that "he can use his freedom of the press anywhere else but my radio station because I don’t want to be party to something that may be false. Let the other radio stations, TV and newspapers report on the bad things. Why don’t we report the nice things that these people are doing?" However, following a public statement issued by JAWS on the radio ban in August, the matter was resolved and the internal censorship was lifted. Referring to the incident on their website, JAWS stated that: "Once again, freedom of the press has prevailed."
Elsewhere in the region, comments made by a senior lecturer at the University of the South Pacific impugned the independence of the Kiribati state-owned Broadcasting and Publications Authority (BPA). The academic, Teweiariki Teaero, described their claimed independence as "sadly and disappointingly" more rhetorical than real.
The BPA has a strong history of independence, and critical reporting through its Radio Kiribati and newspaper Te Uekera. However, Teaero believes that this has changed, and laid the blame not only at the door of the government for their reluctance to grant administrative, financial and editorial control to an independent body, but also at the door of Kiribati journalists themselves. According the Teaero, journalists are suffering from a lack of awareness, and need to improve their capacity to perform their role as a public watchdog. He warned them to be wary of restrictions caused by the Kiribati way of thinking and respect for authority, particularly in a traditional environment.
"The other problem which obviously stops journalists from exposing corruption or running hard stories is that they value their employment more than the ideals and concepts of a free media," said Teaero. "Investigative journalism, an integral part of a free press, is missing from Kiribati journalism."
The story to come out of the Australasia and Oceania region with the most international resonance this year came from the region’s powerhouse itself, Australia.
For the first time, a Coroner’s Inquiry was held into the deaths of one of the five journalists known as the ‘Balibo Five’, who died during Indonesia’s invasion of Portuguese Timor in 1975. For a long time it had been suspected that Indonesian Special Forces had intentionally targeted the five journalists. The inquiry, which commenced in February following a request from the sister of Balibo Five cameraman Brian Peters, released its findings in November. According to these findings, the five journalists were intentionally targeted and not inadvertently caught in the crossfire, as was the official line hitherto. In addition, various governments, including the Australian government itself, were said to have covered up their knowledge of the intentional nature of the murders. Among other things, the inquiry recommended that certain then members of the Indonesian military be held accountable for their roles in the killings, and be brought to trial under war crimes charges. How the international community intends to react is still unknown.

http://www.freemedia.at/cms/ipi/freedom_detail.html?ctxid=CH0056&docid=CMS1210166005004

Successful Forum

2008-05-06T15:47:00.000-07:00

The JAWS Editors Forum in partnership with UNESCO was a tremendous success. All local Editors participated except for State Owned SBC. The event took place at Aggie Greys Conference room, and it is the only time that Editors and Journalists from all media come together to discuss Press Freedom.

Journalists to discuss Press Freedom

2008-05-01T15:45:00.000-07:00

By Justin Faafia (Samoalivenews)

Journalists from all over Samoa will today gather at the Aggie Greys Conference Room to celebrate World Press Freedom Day.
The Journalists Association of [Western] Samoa will today host an Editors and Senior Journalists Forum with support by UNESCO.
All media in Samoa will be represented in the forum which will see a discussion of the theme for this year: “Freedom of Expression, Access to Information and Empowerment of People.”
According to JAWS the theme is especially relevant to the events in the past months in Samoa.
“Due to threats on Journalists and media workers, the WPFD theme this year is a chance for our media workers to discuss the challenges in our work,” JAWS stated.
The local organization is commemorating on the 2nd of May with the Forum and on the 3rd with a Fun Walk for the media.
Every year, May 3rd is a date which celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom; to evaluate press freedom around the world, to defend the media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession.
3 May was proclaimed World Press Freedom Day the UN General Assembly in 1993 following a Recommendation adopted at the twenty-sixth session of UNESCO's General Conference in 1991
It serves as an occasion to inform citizens of violations of press freedom - a reminder that in dozens of countries around the world, publications are censored, fined, suspended and closed down, while journalists, editors and publishers are harassed, attacked, detained and even murdered.
It is a date to encourage and develop initiatives in favour of press freedom, and to assess the state of press freedom worldwide.
It serves as a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom and is also a day of reflection among media professionals about issues of press freedom and professional ethics. Just as importantly, World Press Freedom Day is a day of support for media which are targets for the restraint, or abolition, of press freedom. It is also a day of remembrance for those journalists who lost their lives in the exercise of their profession.

*For more on Press Freedom log on to www.samoalivenews.com

Talamua goes online

2008-04-09T15:17:00.000-07:00

The online version of Talamua Media and Publications officially went online today. Talamua features latest news from Samoa for a global audience.

The introduction of Talamua signifies a transition in Samoan media, from traditional newsprint, broadcast and radio to online web streaming.

Talamua is edited and operated by Apulu Lance Polu.

JAWS congratulates Apulu and his team for the new addition to the news industry in Samoa.

You can find Talamua at: http://talamua.com/index.php

Press Secretary endorses JAWS PR Training

2008-04-07T18:24:00.000-07:00

1 April 2008

Statement from the Press Secretariat

RE: Endorsement of JAWS PR Workshop

APIA, Samoa: The Press Secretariat of the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet for the Independent State of Samoa confirms support and endorsement of the Journalists Association of [Western] Samoa (JAWS) Public Relations Workshop.
The Workshop which will be held on the 15th of April 2008 will train Public Relations and Information Officers from Government Ministries on proper procedures of disseminating relevant information to the media. The Workshop will also explore the role of the Media Officer, Public Relations Officer and Information Officer in relation to the media.
The Press Secretariat supports the initiative by JAWS on the grounds of affirming the Governments role in achieving transparency, accountability and good governance through the successful building of capacity of the relevant Ministry officers.
As the Press Secretariat of Samoa, it is important that we work hand in hand with the media, reflecting the overarching wish of the Prime Minister Hon. Tuilaepa Sailele Lupesoliai Malielegaoi on freedom of the press in Samoa.
The Press Secretariat wishes the JAWS PR Workshop a successful training.

Faafetai

Ualetenese Papalii Taimalelagi
Press Secretary of the Independent State of Samoa

Background of PR Trainer: Geoff Hoddinott

2008-04-07T18:16:00.000-07:00

Hoddinott is a communications professional with over 30 years experience covering advertising, marketing and public relations.
For the last eight years he has been Account Director on Sydney-based PR Consultancy, Network PR http://www.networkpr.com.au/
Hoddinott oversees communications strategies, media engagement and media and crisis training for Australian companies and for Australian representatives of multinational companies. Clients he has worked on include FedEx, Recall Document Management, AT&T, and Ford.
As part of that he has also written election speeches for Australian politicians and media presentations for leading global brands.
Hoddinott is a contributor to Australia’s leading online corporate and marketing communication web resource, PR Influences http://www.prinfluences.com.au/
He has been a finals judge on the Consensus Australia and New Zealand Software Awards for the last four years and is also a finals judge for the Australian Interactive Media Industry Association (AIMIA) Awards.
He and his colleagues at Network PR engage daily for clients with media including the Australian Financial Review, the Sydney Morning Herald and the Melbourne Age along with industry magazines, online publications and influential forum administrators and bloggers.
Hoddinott has travelled to Samoa often. He first came here in 1980, brought his bride-to-be Barbara here in 1981 and they were married at Sapapalii in 1987.
Hoddinott will be visiting Samoa with his wife and their 12 year old daughter, Lauren, who has made charitable contributions children with special needs in Samoa.
Hoddinott is conducting this training as his personal contribution to the development of the Samoan media.

JAWS to host local PR Seminar

2008-04-07T18:10:00.000-07:00

JAWS will be hosting the first ever Public Relations Seminar for Public Relations and Information Officers of local Government, Private and Civil Society organisations next week. The training is part of JAWS commitment to promote transparancy within those organisations and to assist in the work of Journalists through a free flow of information between all sectors of the community.

For more information on this training, call 754NEWS or email jawsexec@yahoo.com.

SPREP Director urges media awareness

2008-04-07T18:06:00.000-07:00

By Justin Faafia

The Director of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) last week urged the media to assist in creating awareness on the Pacific Year of the Reef (PYOR) commemoration.
Mr. Asterio Takesy said: “The PYOR is a medium that we are choosing to highlight a message to the people to region and to world and large, reef is an important component of life in the Pacific.”

He urged: “We are asking you to help us to carry that message, through the use of the powerful tool such as the media. To encourage you to help us to carry the message by using the powerful tool that you are.”
The Director was speaking at the Journalists Association of [Western] Samoa (JAWS) and SPREP media training for PYOR.
“In SPREP we value the human network established throughout the region and internationally. The role of media for our work is crucial, there is no way that we can carry out the environmental work that we are doing without the help of the media,” Takesy said.
The media, according to him is a component of a democratic society.
“Our members are democratic governments, territories, independent countries, metropolitans and small island states,” he said.
According to Takesy the media is a means of carrying the messages to and from the people SPREP hopes to help through advice and technical assistance.
Although aware of the benefits of the media, Takesy also cautioned saying: “I want to emphasize that one component of the media important to us and that is responsible reporting, accurate reporting and factual reporting, what you will be reporting on is information that will be given to you by experts and from your own background and research, we encourage you to please contribute to help us raise awareness.”

-Newsline Samoa Newspaper

Coral Reef seminar with the media of Samoa

2008-04-07T18:00:00.000-07:00

APIA, Samoa: The importance of the media, the coral reef and climate change were issues raised during a media seminar held by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and the Journalists Association of Samoa (JAWS) at SPREP headquarters two weeks ago.
In his opening remarks, Asterio Takesy, Director of SPREP, welcomed participants to the seminar and stressed the importance of the media in raising awareness of issues such as those addressed by the Pacific Year of the Reef.
SPREP’s Coral Reef Management Officer, Caroline Vieux, identified the various threats to coral, including those resulting from global climate change.
“Of all the problems associated with climate change, accelerated sea level rise may actually be of lesser concern to coral as it has the ability to adapt to grow to rising seas.”
However, Vieux did stress that coral cannot adapt to other climate-related alterations such as rising water temperatures or increased water acidity.
“It’s easy for us to blame sea level rise for all our coastal problems, but in addition to climate change we must also address other causes of damage to reefs, such as dredging and waste. Action is needed now, and that is what we hope to convey through the Year of the Reef,” Vieux stated.
SPREP and JAWS are working together to help build the capacity of local media to report on environmental issues. The 2008 Pacific Year of the Reef was the topic of their first joint seminar this year.
It is hoped that in future SPREP will be able to strengthen the partnership with JAWS through future media seminars on other topics, including climate change, which has been a request from JAWS to SPREP.

For more information please contact SPREP’s Pacific Year of the Reef Campaign Coordinator Sereima Savu E: sereimas@sprep.org

PYOR Seminar next week

2008-03-14T19:13:00.000-07:00

JAWS in partnership up with the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) will be hosting a training seminar next week on environment reporting.
Next weeks training will focus specifically on the Pacific Year of the Reef and how Reporters can better cover the annual commemoration.
More details on the seminar will be posted next week.

PINA rejects petition claims to Rudd

2008-03-06T01:36:00.000-08:00

Below is a statement made by the Pacific Islands News Association after a report appeared on The National PNG alleging that PINA President Joseph Ealedona was to submit a petition by Journalists to the Prime Minister of Australia Kevin Rudd who will be visiting Port Moresby soon.

Kevin Rudd Australia PM and Joseph Ealedona President of PINA. (Photos by ABC and Newsline)

JAWS expreses full endorsement of the statement below:

MEDIA STATEMENT

The Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) will not petition the Australian Government to remove Fiji from participating in the Regional Assistance Mission (RAMSI) in the Solomon Islands as suggested by a group of Pacific journalists.

President Joseph Ealedona says the removal of Fiji from RAMSI is an issue for regional governments. PINA’s is to raise its concerns relating to media freedom and freedom of expression.

Mr Ealedona’s comments follow a front page story in the Papua New Guinea National Newspaper indicating the PINA president would present a petition to the Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to remove Fiji from RAMSI. Mr Rudd is currently touring PNG.

“I have formally requested an audience with the Australian Prime Minister through the Australian High Commission in Port Moresby but it’ll depend on Mr Rudd’s timetable,” Mr Ealedona said.

The PINA president says letters of concern are also being sent to the Governments of PNG and New Zealand to put pressure on the Interim Fiji Government to change its hard-line stance against media freedom in Fiji.

“PINA has also written to the Fiji government stating its concern on the deportation of Fiji Sun Editor in Chief Mr Russell Hunter and has requested that Mr Hunter be allowed back into Fiji.”

Mr Ealedona has at the same time urged the media in the region to approach the matter sensibly and use it as a stepping stone to an all-out effort to strengthen and advocate for a free media that is objective and responsible to the people of the region….ENDS

Editorial Opinion from Samoa on Hunter deportation

2008-03-02T21:47:00.000-08:00

Editor in Chief of Samoa Observer, Savea Sano Malifa wrote a passionate editorial piece in todays Sunday Samoa condemning the actions of the Fiji interim Government in deporting Hunter.
Followed by that is an Editorial by Editor of Newsline Samoa Newspaper, Cherelle Jackson who also paid tribute to the deported Hunter.
The pieces are as follows, courtesy of www.samoaobserver.ws and www.samoalivenews.com.

Banning press freedom opens door wide to dictatorship

2008-03-02T21:40:00.000-08:00

This morning as we’re preparing to go to church, let’s sit down for a moment and think seriously about this little story.
It is somewhere in the night when your family is asleep and there’s a knock on the door. You have no idea who the person knocking from outside is. You get up half-heartedly, and drowsily you go over and open the door.
The next thing you know is that you are told you have to go to the military barracks for questioning. You have no idea what is going on and you are not allowed to know. You are not even allowed to ask questions.
You are forcibly led to the waiting car without saying a word to your wife and children who are asleep, and the car speeds away. But instead of it going to the barracks, it veers off in the direction of a distant airport, four hours away.
Suddenly it hits you that you are being abducted by military police. During the ride while some of your kidnappers dose off, one of them asks for your cel phone. You hand it over and he keeps it.

WORRIED SICK
You soon realise that you are deliberately being denied access to anyone in the world, including your children and wife who must be worried sick about whether you are alive of dead.
At the airport you are whizzed through Customs and Immigration, and herded like a criminal on the plane that will take you away from your home and your family that you love so very much.
On the plane you mull over the dismal knowledge that all you have that you can call your own is the shirt on your back, and there isn’t even a penny in your pocket. You are effectively a man without a family and a home. In brief, a nobody.
Imagine all that and you can then perhaps feel what Fiji Sun publisher Russell Hunter went through when he was abducted by Interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Baniamarama’s military men last week.
So what do you think? What would you do if someone drags you away in the middle of the night from your wife and children knowing you have done nothing wrong, and force you to do things against your will?
Would you refuse to go? Would you demand an explanation? Or would you become murderous? Mr Hunter did none of these things. He went peacefully.

FREEDOM
Indeed, did Mr Hunter, whose job is to ensure that Fijian citizens are well-informed, become knowledgeable and enjoy their democratic rights like their freedom to express their opinions, deserve such horrible treatment?
Do you think we should entertain ourselves here in Samoa with the sort of night-time fear that dictator Baniamarama is implanting so pervasively in the minds of the Fijian people?
How can such a man rest at night after declaring his intention is to spare his people from the evil called corruption, when he himself is the personification of evil?
By deliberately stomping on press freedom which is the very tool that can help him achieve his goal, Baniamarama is not only a dictator but an idiot as well.
We know. Baniamaram’s fans in this country are probably hollering with sarcastic glee that their idol doesn’t give a hoot about what we say in this column. Well, that’s alright. It only shows that although they have eyes they cannot see.
Just look around us this very minute. Don’t you see Baniamaram’s rousing dictatorship taking shape slowly but surely in the halls of power in Samoa today?

SCARED
Why are some staunch supporters of the powerful Human Rights Protection Party distancing themselves from the government and its seemingly ill-conceived RHD bill?
We know why. Because they see Frank Baniamarama’s thinking emerging in the HRPP hierarchy and they’re scared; they love their country so much that they want nothing to do with a law that will destroy it. That’s right. They don’t want their hands smeared with blood when this RHD mess becomes a legal entity.
But that is exactly what is happening in Fiji today. It is a country being ruled by a dictator with blood in his hands, and the country is dying slowly from self-imposed strangulation.
Out there at Siumu, the matai leadership is suppressing press freedom and the public’s right to know. They’ve imposed a ban on reporting what’s happening with their land dispute with the government.
And yet when the dispute emerged some years ago, the first place they went to was the press. They wanted free publicity and they were given it. How short of memory some people can get!
Then along the way their lawyer threatened to sue this newspaper and demanded an apology. And just recently they’ve been sending over press releases which they presumably wanted published free of charge, as though nothing untoward has happened.

SHAME
It’s a shame. After hundreds of thousands of Tala have been spent on this dispute, not a sign of an end can be seen. So it seems as if the Siumu people should sit up and take a hard look. They should think hard.
And it is not the press’ fault that they’re getting nowhere with their dispute. They should look closer to home. The Siumu leadership should be told that banning press freedom is not the solution but the beginning of a more formidable problem; it opens the door wide to dictatorship.
But never mind. This newspaper will from now on honour Siumu’s press ban. Hard as it is to imagine that the free flow of information is now being sullied and curtailed, we will desist from covering Siumu’s dispute.
So what do you think? Do you want Samoa to be ruled like Siumu and Fiji? We don’t think so.
Freedom is sacrosanct. That is the rule. And that should remain Samoa’s sacred rule.
Have a peaceful Sunday Samoa, God bless.

Published: 2 March 2008
Source: Samoa Observer Newspaper
Online: http://www.samoaobserver.ws/

Bainimarama, come on man!

2008-03-02T21:36:00.000-08:00

Two months ago this writer met interim Prime Minister of Fiji, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama in his office.
The man, dressed in a sulu and a simple western style shirt was less domineering in person than in reputation.
It felt strange, to be so close to someone who had already stirred up so much trouble in the region.
We were there, five of us, all Board members of the Pacific Island News Association (PINA) to appeal for the rights of Journalists in Fiji, and those visiting the country.
You see, already, the media workers in Fiji were being silenced, were gagged, thrown behind bars and abused for doing their jobs, for revealing some truths, and Bainimarama, was not exactly discouraging the military from doing so, in fact, in some instances, the suppression was prompted by his direct orders.
So it was therefore with apprehension that we sat with this man, in his office, requesting if not begging to let Journalists do their jobs, to let the Fijian media operate without suppression.
“Well it’s ok if they do their jobs, as long as they are not biased,” the Commodore said.
“Sir in any Government, regardless of how it came about, there is a role to be played by the media,” I asserted.
Bainimarama went on to explain that maybe his interim Government did fail in one respect.
“Yes when we decided to take over, we didn’t have a media plan,” he said with a frown on his face.
Interesting comment, now how does one write a media strategy for the taking over of ones Government.
Let’s see, Step one: Close down all media operators. Step two: Replace them with puppets. Step three: Gag all Journalists who believe otherwise. Step four: What media?
Simply put, you can’t expect an integral part of democracy to sit still when democracy takes a beating, freedom of expression is a right, and the media exists to ascertain that right.
It is therefore with great sadness, that Bainimaramas promises that one afternoon to the five of us, the representatives of media in the region, were but empty as he turns around and deports the Editor in Chief of Fiji Sun, Russell Hunter for merely exercising his role as an informant to the people.
President of PINA, Joseph Ealedona said in the PINA statement: “The media is the voice of the people. It is obliged to report the truth and or report the grievances and concerns of citizens. Those who are offended also have the right to respond.”
The deportation of Hunter is a misuse of power to the highest degree, it is an infringement to one of the founding principles of any free society, which is freedom of expression, and it is insult to human logic and fairness.
When will this madness end?
Bainimarama, for lack of better words, come on man, let the media do their work.
Newsline supports PINA in urging the media in Fiji to remain vigilant and to respond professionally without any bias and prejudice.
The Pacific is no place for suppression.

Manuia le Aso.

Published: 27 Feb 2008
Source: Newsline Samoa Newspaper
Online: www.samoalivenews.com

JAWS for Hunter

2008-03-02T01:13:00.000-08:00

Members and Executive of JAWS agrees that the deportation of Russell Hunter is a direct attack on Press Freedom in the Pacific Region.

Journalists and Editors must not suffer for performing their duties as informers of the public and voice of the people.

Hunter performed his duties observing his role in the fourth estate of democracy.

We support Hunter and his pursuit of truth.

JAWS supports the statement by the Pacific Island News Association in condemning such actions by the Fiji interim Government or any other Government in the Pacific.

JAWS urges the Samoan Government to lobby for rights of the media in Fiji and the Pacific.

Faafetai

JAWS 2008

Photo by Giff Johnson, Pacific Magazine.

JAWS awards Samoan Journalists

2008-03-02T01:07:00.000-08:00

For the first time in the history of JAWS, the organisation awarded local Journalists. The notion came after the executive agreed that some members of the media industry were deserving of recognition after tremendous efforts and extensive work in the Samoan media industry.

The JAWS Media Awards were presented to Journalists with more than ten years of service to the media industry in Samoa. The awardees ranged from current serving Journalists, to media Owners and Executives. Not all awardees were present, but their awards are being delivered to them.

In early 2004 the then JAWS board awarded the Deputy Prime Minister and Prime Minister of Samoa with Press Freedom Awards for their work in transparancy, accountability and good governance. The awards by JAWS to Journalists is an acknowledgement that they have played an integral part in the Press Freedom of Samoa.

The Awardees who were present.

Journalists come together once again

2008-03-02T00:59:00.000-08:00

The Journalists of Samoa once again came together for the much needed night of fun after a year of hard and tireless work in the Samoan media. JAWS hosted a cocktail function for the Journalists and media workers of Samoa after the AGM. Journalists from all media in Samoa as well as PR officers from some Government Ministries and local companies all took part.

JAWS hosts only one function as such a year, the Journalists will reconvene again in the next AGM.

Lemalu honoured by JAWS

2008-03-02T00:50:00.000-08:00

Lemalu Rosie Afamasaga, veteran Journalist in Samoa was honoured by JAWS for her services to the media in Samoa. Lemalu recently retired from the Savali Newspaper after more than ten years of service to the Government publication. Lemalu is one of the founding member and a life member of JAWS.

The JAWS President and Executive thanked Lemalu for paving the way for quality Journalism in Samoa. Her work as a translator was also mentioned.

Lemalu will leave Samoa for New Zealand in the coming weeks.

JAWS Exec reelected

2008-03-02T00:39:00.000-08:00

The Board of JAWS was reelected this year by unanimous decision during the Annual General Meeting (AGM). This is the third consecutive term by the Board, making them the longest serving in the history of JAWS. The Board is as follows.

President:

Papalii Ualetenese Taimalelagi

Vice President:

Lagi Keresoma

Secretary:

Cherelle Jackson

Deputy Secretary:

Ame Sene

Treasurer:

Angela Kronfeld Polu

Deputy Treasurer:

Sioeli Alofaifo

Advisor:

Apulu Lance Polu

NOTICE: JAWS AGM 08-02-08

2008-01-30T15:21:00.000-08:00

The Journalists Association of [Western] Samoa

will hold its Annual General Meeting

on the

8th of February, 2008

at the

STA Fale at 5:00pm.
All past, current and interested members are invited to attend.
Please be reminded of your membership

fee for 2008 which is

$10.00 per individual

and

$50.00 per organisation.

The Core of the Agenda is as follows:

Welcoming
Presidents Report
Financial Report
Matters Arising
Election of New Board
Celebratory Cocktail for JAWS and counterparts

For more information please contact us at:

777 3776, 774 7179 or 777 7023.

Faafetai

Cherelle Jackson
Secretary

Brief: Gender in Samoan media

2007-12-07T19:03:00.000-08:00

Currently the mainstream Samoan media is all owned by men while the top level in the newsroom is dominated by women. This is according to a recent survey by JAWS.

A breakdown:

Samoa Broadcasting Corporation
Owner: Government (represented by female)
Editor: female
Assistant Editor: male

TV3
Owner: male
Editor: female
Assistant Editor: female

Vaiala Beach TV
Owner: male
Editor: male
Assistant Editor: male

Samoa Observer
Owner: male
Editor: male
Assistant Editor: male

Newsline
Owner: male
Editor: female
Assistant Editor: female

Savali Newspaper
Owner: Government (represented by male)
Editor: male
Assitant Editor: male

LeSamoa Newspaper
Owner: male
Editor: male
Assistant Editor: female

Le Sulu Newspaper
Owner: Church (represented by male)
Editor: male
Assistant Editor: male

Radio Polynesia
Owner: male
Editor: female
Assistant Editor: male

Catholic Radio
Owner: Church (represented by male)
Editor: female
Assistant Editor: male

SBC for sale

2007-12-06T02:10:00.000-08:00

There is no new yet on who is likely to win the bid for the Samoa Broadcasting Corporation sale. the State owned TV station was put up for sale earlier this year in the Governments encouragement of privatisation of public companies. So far the decision has not been made on who will take over Samoas first ever TV station. The sale will most likely have a tremendous impact on the future of the media in Samoa, depending on who takes it over. In the last few months the station has improved graphics and overall presentation to level matching that of New Zealand and Australia. SBC is also popular with the community for its traditional and cultural programmes which has only served to strengthen the Samoan culture.

LAU TV close down

2007-12-06T02:06:00.000-08:00

After opening with a bang and bringing new competition and exciting television flavours to Samoa, LAU TV, the free to air television station owned by veteran Journalist Petaia Uelese Petaia closed down in October. The end of the station brought down the number of free to air stations to two, the Samoa Broadcasting Corporation and TV3.

JAWS Launches first publication

2007-12-06T02:03:00.000-08:00

JAWS published and launched its first ever publication this year. In September, JAWS launched the booklet: "Freedom of the Press in Samoa" which is a compilation of opinions from Editors around the country about their perceptions of freedom of the Media in Samoa. Presentations by the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and High Commissioner of Australia are also included. This is also the first publication of its type, for free copies of the booklet please contact the JAWS exec at (685) 7773776 or at email jawsexec@yahoo.com.
The publication was funded by the Australian High Commission in Samoa with assistance from JAWS counterparts.

Recap: JAWS Editors Forum

2007-12-06T01:58:00.000-08:00

A monumental event in the history of the Journalists Association of [Western] Samoa took place in May this year, and that was the Editors Forum. For the first time a gathering of Editors from Newsprint, Radio, Online and TV gathered to express their opinions of Freedom of the Press in Samoa. Funded in part by the Australian High Commission in Samoa, the event was a great success.

Newsline Statement on plant and office fire

2007-08-24T19:56:00.001-07:00

At 3am on the 23rd of August the headquarters of Newsline Samoa Newspaper at Malifa was completely destroyed by fire, along with it, our printing press, editorial, marketing and accounts sections equipment, facilities, records and archives. This has been a huge loss to the Newsline family, staff, management and of course our readers and supporters.
It has been a devastating experience especially on the eve of the South Pacific Games, which we have so long prepared for. We will however not dwell upon our losses but rather concentrate on continuing the services of Newsline to Samoa.
We acknowledge the strong support from the community, our families, friends and especially our media colleagues both in Samoa, the region and international. Your words and gestures have been encouraging and inspiring, it has given us strength to move on, and persist in the face of adversity. Your support has reemphasized our duty to the community at large. We recognize our responsibility as a member of the fourth estate, to act as a guardian of public interest and promoters of free press. We shall endeavor to preserve this role, and we promise we will do it to the best of our abilities. We will not be silenced.
If you can bear with us while we pick up the pieces, we promise to fulfill this role which we so solemnly swore upon ourselves when we took up this profession.
Due to these unfortunate circumstances Newsline will now temporarily operate as a weekly Newspaper, published on Fridays until a time when we can re-continue with our tri-weekly editions. In the meantime all our latest news and stories will be available on our website which is a news service in partnership with SamoaLive. You can access our website through: www.samoalivenews.com or www.newslinesamoa.com. You can also access selected Newsline stories through the World Section of the New Zealand Herald website www.nzherald.co.nz.
On behalf of Publisher Pio Sioa, Financial Controller Maggie Sioa, our Journalists Astrid Sesega, Meghan Bonin, Charlina Tone and Tili AhKuoi, our Layout Artists, Printers and the rest of our staff I take this opportunity to thank you again for your faith in Newsline and express our hopes for your continued support. May free press continue to prevail in Samoa with or without impediments.

Faafetai

Cherelle Jackson
Editor
Newsline Samoa Newspaper

2007-08-24T19:56:00.000-07:00

PINA Board Resolutions

2007-08-09T04:05:00.000-07:00

Present were: Vice President, Jonas Cullwick, Matai Akauola (Radio), Moses Stevens (Print), Antoine Malsungai (TV) & Cherelle Jackson (National Association), Makereta Komai (PINA Secretariat)

The PINA Board has unanimously resolved that:

In Media Freedom

* A mechanism be put in place to respond and address regional media freedom issues in a timely manner and with accuracy

*That the PINA Secretariat provide monthly media freedom updates of the region and quarterly updates of PINA activities

*PINA recognises the existence of blogs (weblogs) and personal online websites as an avenue for freedom of expression. PINA does not recognise personal blogs (unless otherwise accredited) as an official form of media or reliable information for use by journalists

*PINA endorses the establishment of the ‘Pacific Journalist Refuge Fund’, with the first donation made by Pacific Cooperation Foundation, New Zealand Human Rights Commission and PINA with encouragement to regional and international organisations to contribute.

PINA Training & MembershipActivities

*PINA to strengthen the capacity of National Media Associations by providing assistance and support for NMAs such as making available funds for in-country training and other initiatives

*PINA to provide members with ‘Certificate of Membership’ acknowledging their support and commitment to regional media development

* Establish a new membership category to be known as Online Media with the status of Associate Members to acknowledge the development of established web media in the region

* Actively pursue a membership drive in the region, especially members from French speaking countries and territories

* PINA to consider change of legal status. PINA is currently registered in Samoa

* PINA to revamp, enhance and upgrade the current PINA website http://www.pinanius.com/ to a more attractive, comprehensive and user friendly source of regional news and media information.

* Reaffirm the decision of PINA AGM decision in 2005 that March be the deadline for payment of membership fees

Human Resources

* Recognise the urgency to the immediate appointment of a Manager of the PINA Secretariat, to be advertised within the next two weeks

* Since the merger of the old PINA & PIBA into a new PINA in Nov 2004, this Board has now formalised contracts with the two PACNEWS journalists

* Set aside funds to refurbish the PINA Secretariat in Suva

Relationship Building & Partnership

* A Memorandum of Understanding be established with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) to formalise existing working relationship. PINA appreciates and continues to acknowledge the continued support of PIFS to the organisation.

* PINA also acknowledges the support of Pacific Co-operation Foundation & the New Zealand Human Rights Commission for their joint donation to establish a Pacific Journalist Refuge Fund. PINA looks forward to strengthening this co-operation

Agreed to and endorsed by all the PINA Board members present on Friday, 20 July, 2007, in Suva, Fiji.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa on Free Press

2007-08-09T03:54:00.000-07:00

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.

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As presented at JAWS Editors Forum:
Tuilaepa Sailele Lupesoliai Malielegaoi
Prime Minister Independent State of Samoa
Recepient of the JAWS Advocate of Free Press award

Radio ban resolved

2007-08-09T03:49:00.000-07:00

Two days after JAWS issued the public statement on the radio ban, Media Owner Maposua Rudolf Keil lifted the internal ban and allowed once again for Ame Sene to cover the Press Conferences by unofficial opposition voice in Parliament.
Once again, freedom of the press prevailed.

JAWS Statement on Radio Journalist Ban

2007-06-01T23:36:00.000-07:00

The Journalists Association of [Western] Samoa as an advocate of freedom to information and freedom of the media is taking a firm stance against the recent ban placed on two Radio Journalists in Samoa.
Journalists as carriers of information and informants of the public should have the right to report on any issue that is of public interest, Journalists should also have the freedom to attend Press Conferences without prejudice or discrimination of the host.
By denying Journalists the right to report on issues, the public is being denied the right to know. As Journalists we have a duty to the people of Samoa to inform them of events, issues and happenings on a daily basis.
In saying this we recognise that Journalists should remain unbiased, impartial and accurate in our reports. All Journalists of Samoa should adhere to the JAWS Code of Ethics to ensure fair and just reporting in Samoa.
The recent ban on two Radio Journalists is a direct threat to freedom of the media in Samoa which is one of the founding pillars our democracy. JAWS urges the Media owner involved to review such a decision for the sake of media freedom.
As Samoa celebrates its 45th year of Independence JAWS echoes recent healthy comments made by the Prime Minister Hon. Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi referred to the maturity of our democracy and the media as one of its vital institutions. JAWS agrees that the control of media freedom is an incident of the past.
JAWS will always stand and strive for Freedom of the Media in Samoa and worldwide.

JAWS on PINA Board

2007-06-01T23:05:00.000-07:00

Dear Members,

I am glad to report that JAWS is now officially represented on the Board of PINA. I was chosen by the Heads of National Associations to represent NAs from around the region in the new Board of PINA. I was honoured to be chosen and am thankful that regional NAs have placed their faith in a young female Journalist. I look forward to serving PINA as a Board member along with my fellow colleagues from PNG, Vanuatu and Fiji. Most importantly I look forward to being part of the revival of PINA.

JAWS has long been a member of PINA and our members have been in and out of the PINA Board, I would like to thank the likes of Apulu Lance Polu and Savea Sano Malifa for paving the way for young Samoan journalists like me to be part of the progress in regional media and most importantly to be passionate about the role of the media in the region.

Faafetai

Cherelle Savaliolefilemu Jackson

Secretary of JAWS

The new Board of PINA:

President: Joseph Ealedona, managing director, National Broadcasting Corporation, Papua New Guinea
Vice-president: Jonas Cullwick, longtime journalist and former Vanuatu Broadcasting and Television Corporation general manager.
Head of national associations industry group: Cherelle Jackson, secretary, Journalists Association of [Western] Samoa.
Head of print media industry group: Moses Stevens, editor and publisher, The Ni Vanuatu newspaper.
Head of television industry group: Antoine Malsungai, manager, Television blong Vanuatu.

Head of radio industry group: Fiji Broadcasting Corporation Limited editor Matai Akauola

Journalists focus on Health

2007-05-23T16:51:00.000-07:00

Caption: Participants of the media health workshop in Honiara this week.

By Cherelle Jackson
In Honiara, Solomon Islands

[Newsline Samoa] Health and its impacts on Pacific economies is the focus of discussion amongst Pacific Journalists this week in Honiara.
The workshop is part of the biennial Pacific Island News Association (PINA) Convention.
Sponsored by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, the pre-convention workshop invited Journalists from Fiji, Vanuatu, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Cook Islands, Samoa and Solomon Islands to share skills and knowledge on ways to improve coverage and reporting of health issues in their respective countries.
The workshop is coordinated by Pacific media trainer Ms. Lisa Williams-Lahari a well known gender activist and Journalist in the region.
“The main aim is to make connections between health and other issues covered by the media,” Lisa said.
Issues such as HIV AIDS, communicable and non-communicable diseases have already been discussed by the regional Journalists.
“We wanted to emphasize that health stories are not just about health,” Lisa said.
According to her health issues impact governance, gender issues, finance and economies.
“All these issues are interconnected, other issues or stories become relevant and make more sense with a good understanding of health,” Lisa said.
Some Journalists agreed that health is already being advocated by Non Government Organizations and Ministries of Health that there is no need for further media coverage.
Lisa disagreed saying: “Journalists have a complacent attitude to sponsored coverage of health issues, because media organizations and Ministries do health promotions it lets Journalists get away from coverage of health issues.”
Editor of Fiji Sun, Mr. Leone Cabenatabu said the media are not usually informed about major health issues and that his Journalists are only invited to openings of workshops and other health publicity activities.
Lisa said: “At the end of the day we do not want to cover workshops, work on hand outs from organizations, we want to move away from this attitude and start coverage from the newsroom. This workshop answers the question, what makes a good health story?”
The pre-convention workshops end on the 23rd of May and the PINA Convention will begin on the 24th.

Pacific Media Trainer, Lisa Williams-Lahari

JAWS in Media and Health workshop

2007-05-23T16:48:00.000-07:00

Secretary of JAWS, Ms. Cherelle Jackson is currently in Honiara participating in the Pacific Island News Association pre-convention workshops which kick started on Monday.
JAWS Secretary is taking part in the workshop: “Reporting the impact of Health on Pacific Economies” conducted by Pacific Media Trainer Mrs. Lisa Williams-Lahari.
More than 20 Journalists and Editors from around the region are participating in the workshop which started on the 21st of May.
The workshop is sponsored by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community in collaboration with PINA and the Media Association of Solomon Islands.
President of the Journalists Association of [Western] Samoa Papalii Ualetenese Taimalelagi is expected to arrive in Honiara, Solomon Islands this week to participate in the PINA Convention this Thursday.
This years Convention is focused on the overall improvement of media development and cooperation in the region.
Acting Prime Minister of Solomon Islands Hon Gordon Darcy Lilo will officially open PINA this Thursday.

President and Secretary of JAWS attend PINA

2007-05-23T16:35:00.000-07:00

Issued by JAWS from Honiara

President of JAWS, Uale Papalii Taimalelagi and Secretary Cherelle Jackson are currently in the SOlomon Islands representing JAWS to the Pacific Island News Association biennial convention.
Ms. Jackson took part in the 'Reporting Health impacts on Pacific Economy' sponsored by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community. The PINA convention officially begins today in Honiara.

JAWS Editors Forum a great success

2007-05-11T14:05:00.000-07:00

Ten local Editors took part in the first ever JAWS Editors Forum in Samoa. The Forum was a great success, the Prime Minister and Australian High Commissioner to Samoa expressed their continued support in media development in Samoa. Six local Editors shared their varied experiences in the media industry and expressed some of their dissatisfactions in the industry. A cocktail party followed at the STA Fale where more than twenty Journalists, Photographers, Camera operators, Layout artists and other media workers joined the Editors on celebrating a successful Forum.

Following are Photos from that night: Taken by Lagi Keresoma, Michael Drew and Cherelle Jackson.

JAWS Editors Forum Programme

2007-05-08T15:28:00.000-07:00

Prayer / Welcoming Address:
President of JAWS Papalii Ualetenese Taimalelagi

Keynote Address:
Hon. Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Lupesoliai Malielegaoi

International Address:
Australian High Commission Hon. Matt Anderson

Editors Presentations
Ms. Sala Ulugia
-News Editor, Showers of Blessings
- Broadcast, Religious Media
Mata’afa Keni Ramese Lesa
-Editor, Samoa Observer
-Newsprint, Online Private owned media
Ms. Anelisa Tuala
-Editor, TV3
– TV, Private owned media
Ms. Ame Sene
-News Editor, Radio Polynesia
-Broadcast, Private owned media
Mr. Terry Tavita
-Editor, Savali Newspaper
-Newsprint, Government owned media
Ms. Laufa Leaina Eli-Lesa
-Editor, LauTV
- TV, Private owned media

Concluding Speech
Apulu Lance Polu
Editor in Chief, LeSamoa Newspaper
Newsprint, Online, Private owned media

Q&A Moderated by:
Ms. Cherelle Jackson
Secretary of JAWS
Editor, Newsline Newspaper

Refreshments

Details: Date: 9th of May 2007,

Time: 9:00am,

Venue: Samoa Tel Conference Room, Maluafou
End-of-Activity

JAWS would like to acknowledge the support of the Australian High Commission in Samoa.

Press Freedom essential to Democracy

2007-04-30T21:04:00.000-07:00

Issued by JAWS 3rd May 2007

As the world celebrates the work of media professionals this International Press Freedom Day, the Journalists Association of [Western] Samoa would like to reiterate the importance of Press Freedom in Democracy.Press Freedom is essential to Democracy, it ensures a fair and just society through an open and Free Press.

Press Freedom ensures that the concepts of transparency, accountability and good governance are observed through a healthy flow of information to the public.In the words of American Journalist Arthur Libbman: "A free press is not a privilege but an organic necessity in a great society."Unlike other countries, Samoa enjoys Press Freedom to a certain degree and Journalists, Editors, Camera operators and Photographers are able to move and work from day to day without danger.

This World Press Freedom Day, JAWS would like to pay tribute to Journalists around the world who face personal danger everyday in their efforts to exercise Freedom of the Press.We acknowledge the support of the United Nations in ensuring Press Freedom around the world, including Samoa.In the pursuit of Press Freedom we as Journalists have a personal responsibility to report fair and objectively without bias or judgement.As in the words of Pakistani Journalist, Razia Bhatti who said: "Journalists must seek and speak the truth for we are the voice of the voiceless millions."

JAWS would also like to acknowledges the support of the Government of Samoa in ensuring Press Freedom.The UN theme for WPFD: "Safety of Journalists and Impunity," has been re-adapted by JAWS to suit the local context.The theme for this years JAWS WPFD activity is: "Confidentiality and Fair Treatment of Journalists."

To commemorate this event, JAWS will be hosting an Editors Forum, on Wednesday, 9th of May 2007 at the SamoaTel Conference Rooms and Maluafou.Hon. Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Lupesoliai Malielegaoi will be conducting the keynote address.The JAWS WPFD activity will be based on the theme: "Confidentiality and Fair Treatment of Journalists."JAWS would like to acknowledge the efforts of all media workers in Samoa to ensure Press Freedom despite threats and constraints.We end, in the words of Irish Political Author, Junius who said: "Let it be impressed upon your minds, let it be instilled into your children, that the liberty of the press is the core of all the civil, political, and religious rights." [End:JAWS WPFD Release] Apia, Samoa

World Press Freedom Day 2007

2007-04-21T02:41:00.000-07:00

Theme: Press Freedom, Safety of Journalists and Impunity

Every year, May 3rd is a date which celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom; to evaluate press freedom around the world, to defend the media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession.
3 May was proclaimed World Press Freedom Day the UN General Assembly in 1993 following a Recommendation adopted at the twenty-sixth session of UNESCO's General Conference in 1991 It serves as an occasion to inform citizens of violations of press freedom - a reminder that in dozens of countries around the world, publications are censored, fined, suspended and closed down, while journalists, editors and publishers are harassed, attacked, detained and even murdered. It is a date to encourage and develop initiatives in favour of press freedom, and to assess the state of press freedom worldwide. It serves as a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom and is also a day of reflection among media professionals about issues of press freedom and professional ethics. Just as importantly, World Press Freedom Day is a day of support for media which are targets for the restraint, or abolition, of press freedom. It is also a day of remembrance for those journalists who lost their lives in the exercise of their profession.

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as published in: http://portal.unesco.org/ci/en/ev.php-URL_ID=23887&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html

WPFD: Message from UNESCO Director-General

2007-04-21T02:35:00.000-07:00

Message from Mr Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO, on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day - 3 May 2007

World Press Freedom Day is an occasion to remind the world of the importance of protecting the fundamental human right of freedom of expression enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. With violence against media professionals constituting today one of the greatest threats to freedom of expression, I have decided to dedicate World Press Freedom Day 2007 to the theme of journalist safety.

Over the past decade, we have witnessed a dramatic escalation of violence against journalists, media professionals and associated personnel. In many countries around the world, media professionals are harassed, attacked, detained and even murdered. According to professional organizations, 2006 was the bloodiest year on record with over 150 media killings. Hundreds more media workers were arrested, threatened or attacked because of their work.

Being a journalist has never been more dangerous. We know that conflict zones – and post-conflict zones – are particularly hazardous environments for journalists. The worst example is Iraq, where sixty-nine media professionals were killed last year. Over 170 media professionals, the vast majority being local journalists, have been killed in the country since the conflict began in April 2003. Never in recorded history has there been such a large-scale killing of journalists. Those who risk their lives to provide independent and reliable information deserve our admiration, respect and support. They understand better than anyone that media contributes significantly to processes of accountability, reconstruction and reconciliation. Indeed, the growth in violence against journalist is telling, if tragic, testimony to the importance of the media to modern democracies. The safety of journalists is an issue that affects us all. Every aggression against a journalist is an attack on our most fundamental freedoms. Press freedom and freedom of expression cannot be enjoyed without basic security.

On World Press Freedom Day, therefore, we must pledge to strengthen our efforts to secure journalist safety. In particular, I call on all governments and public authorities to end the pervasive culture of impunity that surrounds violence against journalists. Governments must fulfil their responsibility to ensure that crimes against media professionals are investigated and prosecuted. Today is also an occasion to recognize the progress that has been made in protecting press freedom. UNESCO welcomes the recent UN resolution condemning attacks against journalists in conflict situations. This resolution represents a victory for the campaign against impunity, and for those committed to protecting the independence and rights of media workers. We must exploit this momentum to build a culture of safety within media. As we celebrate World Press Freedom Day, let us reflect on ways to propagate values that respect the media’s vital role in promoting sustainable peace, democracy and development.

Let us commemorate media professionals who have lost their lives, and honour those who bring us information despite danger and risk. Above all, let us appreciate the intimate relationship between securing the safety of journalists and realizing our own freedoms. Our ability to act as informed citizens of the world depends on a media that can work freely and safely.

Koïchiro Matsuura

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as published in: http://portal.unesco.org/ci/en/ev.php-URL_ID=24291&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html

Pictures from the AGM

2007-02-07T23:42:00.000-08:00

Photos from the recent JAWS AGM by Lagi Keresoma of Event Polynesia.

The new Board of JAWS.
From left: Angie, Lagi, Uale, Ame, Sioeli and Cherelle.

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Some members of JAWS
Ruth, Angelyne, Jenny and Sara standing.

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Chill out session
Trainer Joe joins Jaso and Apulu after the AGM.

PINA Honiara 2007 Invitation

2007-02-06T02:48:00.000-08:00

Following is an invitation for JAWS from Masi and PINA to the May Convention in Honiara.
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PINA HONIARA 2007
Pre-convention workshops: 21-23 May
Convention 24-26 May
(The 2007 Pacific Islands News Association Biennial Convention hosted and organised by Media Association of Solomon Islands)

19 January 2007

Uale Papalii Taimalelagi
President
And Members of Journalists Association of Samoa (JAWS)

Dear President and Members,

I have pleasure on behalf of the Media Association of Solomon Islands (MASI) to formally invite you to the 2007 Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) Biennial Convention.

This invitation follows on from the regular information sent out by the PINA executive board liaison for the PINA Honiara convention, Jeane Matenga, who is working closely with MASI.

We look forward to your participation in and contribution to our exciting programme under the overall theme of “The Role of Pacific Media in Economic Growth”. We also look forward to providing you warm Hapi Isles hospitality and a chance to see the many positive developments now taking place in our islands and the news media.

I attach a self explanatory registration form.

We all look forward to welcoming you to the Solomon Islands in May.

- John Lamani
President, Media Association of Solomon Islands
PINA Honiara 2007 registration

Please contact e-mail below for registration information:
1. Alfred Sasako, Media Association of Solomon Islands Secretariat
masi@yahoo.com
and
2. Jeane Matenga, PINA executive board liaison for the Honiara convention
apfejpacific@hotmail.com

For JAWS members please contact jawsexec@yahoo.com if you are interested in participating.

Report from the AGM

2007-02-06T02:35:00.000-08:00

The 2006 Board Members of JAWS were unanimously re-elected by members of JAWS at its AGM on the 26th of January.
The Presidents Report outlined activities of JAWS in 2006 which was well received by members.
The Financial Report was also presented and accepted.
Currently the JAWS Board are:

President: Ualetenese Papalii Taimalelagi [Press Secretary]
Vice President: Lagi Keresoma [Event Polynesia]
Secretary: Cherelle Jackson [Newsline]
Assistant Secretary: Ame Sene [Radio Polynesia]
Treasurer: Angela Kronfeld-Polu [Le Samoa]
Assistant Treasurer: Sioeli Alofaifo [Radio Polynesia]
Senior Advisors: Apulu Lance Polu, Rev Moli Moli

JAWS would like to thank members of the media industry who participated in this years AGM. We thank you for your support and encourage all members to take part in JAWS activities this year.
We also acknowledge our regional and international partners for assistance and support in the past year, PINA, UNESCO, PCF, UN, CPU, CJA, CIJA and others.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE: If you should need a copy of any of the reports provided at the AGM including the Constitution, please e-mail jawsexec@yahoo.com. Faafetai.

JAWS 2006 Activities

2007-01-10T02:31:00.000-08:00

2006 Dates and Events
21st February – Launch of first JAWS Website: www.jawsamoa.blogspot.com
13th March – Nomination of Papalii to Election workshop in Fiji
20th March - Board election of Vice President Lagi Keresoma
27th March – SGM - Changeover of Secretary from Maria Sio to Asenati Taugasolo Semu
3rd May – WPFD student speech competition in collaboration with UNESCO
15th May - Nomination of Laufa Eli-Lesa to Reham Al-Farra Fellowship [Successful]
19th July – Environment Reporting Seminar by SPREP Jaap Jasperse
30th August – Radio Training by Jacob Brown
6th September – Revitalising Regional Media Seminar by Dev Nadkarni
30th September – JAWS Award Excellence in Current Affairs on Battle of the Minds to Samoa College
November - JAWS members included in Industry Advisory Panel for Journalism Programme at NUSIOT
Wed, 15 Nov – Member E-mail advice of STA boycott
Friday 16 Nov – Official issue of voluntary boycott
6th of November – Beginning of Training of Trainers course at NUSIOT
23rd Nov – Minister of Tourism and JAWS resolution issued
27th – First meeting of JAWS/STA committee chaired by Ombudsman
1st Dec – Ad Hoc statement
21st Dec - End of Training of Trainers Course at NUSIOT

JAWS boycott on STA lifted, Minister promises fair treatment of Journalists

2006-12-26T02:18:00.000-08:00

The Journalists Association of [Western] Samoa Executive hereby announces an end to the boycott of all Samoa Tourism Events.
This is a result of a meeting between the JAWS Executive and Minister of Tourism Hon. Misa Telefoni on Thursday 23rd November 2006.
The Minister requested JAWS to end the boycott to signify the beginning of improved relations between the Media and STA.
The Minister expressed his regrets on the mistreatment of Journalists by STA.
“I thank JAWS for bringing this up, this means we can work on ways to improve the situation and create an understanding on the role of Journalists in STA events,” Misa said.
The Minister in partnership with JAWS have agreed to set up a working committee to look into possible solutions and recommendations to improve future relations between the Media and STA and to improve working conditions for Journalists during STA events.
The Committee will address all complaints made by Journalists in regards to mistreatment before, during and after Miss Samoa and Miss South Pacific 2006.
The Committee will consist of two members of JAWS to represent Journalists, two members of STA and Chaired by a neutral voice, the Ombudsman Hon. Maiava Iulai Toma.
JAWS and the Minister have agreed that the formation of this Committee is the first step towards ensuring that mistreatment of Journalists by STA will not happen again.
JAWS would like to thank Hon. Misa Telefoni for his understanding and appreciation of our need for fair treatment and for taking active steps to ensuring a move to the right direction.
The JAWS Executive promotes and encourages the fair treatment of Journalists in Samoa regardless of their age, gender and background.
JAWS will not tolerate the mistreatment of Journalists and we would like to express our disappointment at the recent incident involving a Sports Reporter and yet another CEO.
Freedom of the Press is an essential component in any Democratic Society and Samoa is no different.
The JAWS Executive would like to thank its members and supporters for believing in the role of the Media.
JAWS will always stand for and strive from Freedom of the Press in Samoa and worldwide.

Faafetai

JAWS Executive
Journalists Association of [Western] Samoa

Statement on Mistreatment of local Journalists

2006-11-17T19:35:00.000-08:00

The following statment was issued by JAWS on the 16th of November 2006 in response to complaints from its members about mistreatment by workers, management and CEO of Samoa Tourism Authority.
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JAWS
Journalists Association of [Western] Samoa

The Journalists Association of [Western] Samoa in response to complaints from its members would like to issue this statement on behalf of the working Journalists of Samoa.

The JAWS Executive has agreed that the mistreatment of local Journalists by the Samoa Tourism Authority is unacceptable, improper and intolerable.
JAWS is appalled at the way in which the STA workers, management and CEO has treated Journalists in relation to the Miss Samoa and Miss South Pacific Pageants.
JAWS will no longer tolerate such treatment of working Journalists in Samoa.

We as Journalists have a responsibility to our readers, listeners and viewers to inform them of events in Samoa.
As the JAWS Code of Ethics clearly states: “Our Responsibility: The publics right to know of events of public importance and interest is the overriding mission of the mass media.”
Some Journalists were denied this responsibility by STA and by doing so, they denied the publics right to know.
We are not in this profession to serve our interests but rather the interest of the public who have a right to know.

We believe that a free press equals a fair and democratic society, and as advocates of free press we issue the following recommendations.

I. That working Journalists be treated fairly by all as we have a responsibility to the public.

II. That Journalists are not to be discriminated against due to their gender, age or background.

III. That Official Government Media passes signed by the highest authority are issued to working Journalists. These Passes will act as an annual access for Journalists to prescribed Government related events such as Independence, Teuila, conferences, launches, handovers, commemorations, inductions and so forth.

IV.That the Press is informed well ahead of time before any Government event, with either a Programme, Press Release, Backgrounder or a Fact Sheet. In saying this, we do recognize the efforts of some Government Ministries who have treated Journalists fairly and have followed the proper procedures.

V. That the Press be assigned proper seating in events to have clear view of the occasion. This will enable Journalists to film, take photos, record or take notes therefore enabling us to report and cover the event accurately.

VI. That the Press have easy phone access to a Spokesperson from each Ministry or Government Body who will answer any questions pertaining to Government events, issues and happenings.

With respect to the Prime Minister Hon. Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Misa Telefoni Retzlaff who understand the need for free press and fair treatment of Journalists. JAWS hereby issue a boycott of all STA events until further notice.

Faafetai

JAWS Executive
Journalists Association of [Western] Samoa

Journalist denied entry to Miss South Pacific

2006-11-13T13:43:00.000-08:00

Two members of the local media were denied entry into the Miss South Pacific pageant held in Apia last week. The Journalists who both work for local newspapers, and are well known to the local community were told to provide proof of employment by a Media outlet before they were issued Press Passes. After the organisers were directed to issues of the Newspapers, the Journalists were told to follow the CEO of the Samoa TOurism Authority around, so they can obtain authorisation to receive a Press Pass.
"There is no way I was going to spend a whole day following someone for a Press Pass," one Journalist said.
Asked weather all media had to go through the same process the two Journalists were told, they were the only two receiving such treatment.
STA has had a long history of being illusive to the media when it comes to Beauty Pageants. As there is much interest by the public on such events, local Journalists make it a point report on the event. This however has not been possible for some, as STA refuses to inform them of events and issue them Press Passes so they can report on events.
Four Journalists were also denied entry into Miss Samoa earlier this year, but were told they would be given Press Passes at the door.
JAWS has yet to meet on this issue but possible boycott of all STA events would be discussed.

Solomon Islands set for PINA 2007 in May

2006-11-13T13:37:00.000-08:00

Dates and theme were announced today for Solomon Islands hosting of the region’s biggest news media event, the 2007 Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) Biennial Convention. The host Media Association of Solomon Islands (MASI) and the PINA executive board confirmed the convention will be held in Honiara, the Solomon Islands capital, 24-26 May.Pre-convention media training workshops start 21 May.

“The Role of Pacific Media in Economic Growth” is the theme, the joint statement from PINA and MASI said.The convention will be held in conjunction with the 25th anniversary celebrations of the Solomon Star, the country’s award-winning daily newspaper.PINA president Ken Clark said on behalf of the PINA executive board: “We have been very impressed by the effective organising of the event by the Media Association of the Solomon Islands.”Mr Clark said some early communication snags were overcome and added:“We look forward to meeting with our Pacific Island media colleagues in Honiara in May next year and to continuing with the effective strengthening of all the media organisations involved and the fundamental principles of media freedom, freedom of access to information, and professional training in media matters.”

MASI president John Lamani, the founder and publisher of the Solomon Star, said arrangements in Honiara are well advanced.“The Solomon Islands news media are looking forward to hosting regional and international colleagues and providing an outstanding convention on an important and timely theme,” he said.

A busy programme of workshops, convention sessions and industry group meetings for radio, TV, print media and national associations is being finalised.As well there will be lots of the local hospitality for which Solomon Islands is famous as the Hapi Isles. Next May’s meeting is only the second time the Solomon Islands has hosted the PINA Convention, with the last event in Honiara in 1989.Mr. Lamani said a MASI convention secretariat has already been set up in Honiara, with fundraising well advanced under fundraising committee chairperson Catherine Lamani, of PAOA FM. Major international, regional and local sponsors are also confirmed or being secured, and there is big local support.“Block bookings of about 150 rooms have been confirmed in two hotels, complete with conference facilities,” Mr. Lamani said.Special affordable fare arrangements are also being made with Solomon Airlines.

Invitations to international and regional news media, PINA partners, and associated organisations are about to be sent out by MASI.Mr. Lamani said MASI is pleased with arrangements so far, particularly with support from development and donor partners.PINA’s executive board has appointed the television industry representative on the board, Jeane Matenga, of Cook Islands, to liaise with MASI.Ms Matenga, the chief executive of the Pitt Media Group (Cook Islands Television, Radio Cook Islands, Cook Islands Herald, Cook Islands Times), is already working closely with the Solomon Islands on the arrangements.She is also regularly briefing Mr. Clark (Fiji TV), vice president Elenoa ‘Amanaki (Tonga Broadcasting Corporation), and the other PINA executives, Marc Neil-Jones (Vanuatu Daily Post, print media), Pesi Fonua (Tonga Media Council, national associations) and Matai ‘Akauola (Fiji Broadcasting Corporation, radio).MASI and PINA have said there will now be regular announcements on arrangements so that everyone is kept fully up to date on what will be an exciting event for all the region's news media.

JAWS awards Excellence in Current Affairs

2006-10-02T01:50:00.000-07:00

The Samoa College Quiz Team won the JAWS Award of Distinction for Excellence in Current Affairs and General Knowledge as a result of the first ever televised academic quiz in Samoa. The team participated in the 2006 Telecom Samoa, College Quiz gainst 11 other schools for eight weeks and proved themselves champions in the General Knowledge and Current Affairs section answering challenging local, regional and international questions.The Board decided to create the award to encourage Samoan students and youth to follow the news on newspapers, TV,
Radio and the internet but perhaps most importantly to foster an interest for what is happening outside of Samoa.This is the first time such an award has been made by JAWS and we hope to make this an annual contribution.

Leader of Samoa College quiz team, Andrew AhLiki receiving the JAWS trophy and Certificate for Excellence in Current Affairs and General Knowledge from Secretary of JAWS, Ms Cherelle Jackson also a former student of Samoa College.

The Samoa College Quiz Team won the JAWS Award and won the Overall Televised Quiz much to the delight of Principal Rimoni, Team Coach and the students of the College.

Gender for Journalists - A Toolkit by CPU

2006-09-20T22:17:00.000-07:00

Trish Williams
Media & Gender Consultant, UK

Traditionally, women and men have been, and in many instances still are, portrayed by the media according to stereotyped expectations and interpretations of their roles in society. In patriarchal countries, particularly in the developing world, this just reinforces the belief that women are not capable of playing a full role in society, in both public arenas and the private space of the home. The twentieth century saw many initiatives by the international community aimed at raising awareness of the inferior position that women have in society and the action that must be taken in order to redress the situation. The Fourth World Conference on women, held in Beijing in 1996, was the most important of these initiatives and set the agenda for women's future empowerment.
As a journalist, for fifteen years I was a senior current affairs producer with the BBC World Service, I was one of the hundreds of media representatives to attend this seminal conference in Beijing. It proved to be a turning point in my own career.
On my return flight to London, I read the recommendations contained in the Platform for Action. I was particularly interested in the section about the role of the media in bringing about change for women. We know that as journalists we play an important part in defining what people think and what their place is in society. I realised that if fully briefed about gender issues and gender sensitive reporting, journalists would be able to present a clearer and more accurate picture of the contribution that both women and men make to the development and prosperity of their societies.
With funding from Britain's Department for International Development (DFID), I developed a 'Media Gender Strategy' for sensitising the print and broadcast media and designed gender training materials and courses. Since then, in my new role as a Media and Gender Consultant, I have conducted gender sensitisation workshops and seminars in Africa, the Caribbean, South and South East Asia and the Middle East.
This 'Gender for Journalists' toolkit is based on those training workshops. It is designed to make you aware of the areas where women are disadvantaged and the role that men can play in bringing about change. I also give guidance on information sources and websites that you can turn to and have attempted to credit the sources I have used. However if I have missed any please accept my apologies.
I would like to thank the Commonwealth Press Union, the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association and the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development for their support.

Note for Samoan Journalists
Please find the toolkit at this link:
http://www.cpu.org.uk/cpu-toolkits/gender_reporting/index.html
For more information Please visit:
http://www.cpu.org.uk/#

Few Graduate From U.N. Programme for the Poorest

2006-09-20T14:56:00.000-07:00

Thalif Deen
[www.ipsnews.net]

UNITED NATIONS, Sep 14 (IPS) - When the United Nations decided in 1971 to create the concept of "least developed countries" (LDCs) -- a new category of member states needing special social and economic assistance from the international community -- they were described as the "poorest of the world's poor".
But since then, the number of LDCs has virtually doubled to 50 -- the last two countries being Senegal (in 2001) and East Timor (in 2003) -- signifying the deterioriating economic conditions, specifically in the developing world.
Asked if this was symbolic of the failure of the United Nations and the international community towards LDCs, U.N. Under-Secretary-General for LDCs Anwarul Karim Chowdhury told IPS: "The doubling of the number of LDCs since the category was created in 1971 is a reality of the global economic and social situation."
On the other hand, he argued, it must be recognised that the international community, particularly the U.N. system, has given special attention to the LDCs as never before. Chowdhury pointed out that "development is a long process and it takes time to show results".
"We should also recognise that quite a few countries have been identified by the General Assembly, as well as recommended by the U.N. Committee for Development Policy (CDP) in recent years, for graduation from the list of LDCs, (signifying economic improvement)," he added.
The first one to graduate from LDC status was Botswana in 1994, while two other LDCs, Cape Verde and Maldives, have been recommended by the CDP to "graduate" soon primarily because of "the durable and undisputed socio-economic progress" made by the two countries. A third country, Samoa, is also a potential candidate for graduation.
Last year, the U.N. General Assembly, however, postponed by three years the start of the grace period for Maldives because of the devastation caused to that Indian Ocean island nation by the December 2004 tsunami.
The CDP continuously monitors the LDCs -- which are entitled to special duty-free concessions and increased debt relief and official development assistance (ODA) -- to check which of the countries should remain as LDCs and which should graduate.
The criteria and thresholds for LDC status include low incomes, weak human assets, high economic vulnerability and a population of less than 75 million.
The 50 LDCs, of which 34 are from Africa, range from Afghanistan and Central African Republic to Vanuatu and Zambia.
At the third U.N. Conference for Least Developed Countries held in Brussels in May 2001, the United Nations adopted a wide-ranging Programme of Action aimed at providing increased assistance to the world's 50 poorest nations.
After five long years, the programme will be reviewed at a high-level ministerial meeting scheduled to take place at the United Nations Sep. 14-19, on the eve of the opening of the 61st session of the General Assembly.
Asked about the successes and failures of the programme, Chowdhury told IPS: "I believe that during the last five years, the LDCs initiated many reforms and took wide-ranging actions for implementing the commitments they made in the Brussels Programme covering its seven areas of commitments from policy-making to capacity development, to governance, to environment."
The needs of the LDCs are of such magnitude, and also because the development process takes a while to bear fruit, that it would be inappropriate to term the slow progress in some areas as failures, he added.
"As a matter of fact, LDCs have done remarkably well in a number of areas given the multifarious impediments that they continue to face because of their structural constraints," he said.
The development partners need to encourage the LDCs by providing substantive support. Since Brussels, HIV/AIDS, natural disasters and conflicts have presented additional challenges for these most vulnerable countries, Chowdhury said.
In a report released last week, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan says the LDCs have generally grown faster than other developing nations, significantly so if China and India are excluded, while there has also been a decline in conflicts, a critical factor in improving development prospects.
At the same time, the current rate of growth -- roughly moving close to the target of seven percent -- has not helped reduce extreme poverty and hunger, while the spread of HIV/AIDS is diluting some of the hard-won economic gains.
Asked if he expects more developing nations to join the ranks of LDCs because of rising oil prices and a global economy threatened with recession, Chowdhury said: "Yes, the oil price hike has seriously affected the economic situation in many of the developing nations, but that should not necessarily result in their immediate inclusion in the ranks of the LDCs."
The inclusion is decided by the CDP on the basis of specific criteria that include a human assets index based on indicators of nutrition, health, education and adult literacy.
But he expressed reservations about LDCs meeting the goal of eradicating extreme poverty and hunger by the 2015 deadline.
"Not many LDCs, according to the present scorecard, would be meeting all the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015," he said. However, some of them have achieved considerable success in meeting at least the goals like school enrolment and access to safe drinking water.
The main constraints faced by the LDCs are their existing development challenges, particularly the lack of capacity and infrastructure compounded by paucity of resources.
All these have been made worse by the HIV/AIDS pandemic, particularly in many of the 34 African LDCs, he added.
(END/2006)

Tongan King Tupou IV dies at 88

2006-09-13T03:10:00.000-07:00

[BBC NEWS] Asia-Pacific

The people of Tonga have been plunged into mourning following the death of 88-year-old King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV. Public buildings are being draped in black and purple as a mark of respect.
King Tupou IV was absolute ruler of the South Pacific island nation for 41 years, making him the world's fourth longest-serving monarch.
His son, Crown Prince Tupouto'a, was sworn in as the new king at a brief ceremony on Monday, but it could be at least a year before a full coronation.
Correspondents say King Tupou IV was much loved by his people, but his death is likely to fuel calls for greater democracy.
King Tupou's death was reported late on Sunday at Auckland's Mercy Hospital, where he had been receiving treatment since April.
The Tongan government made a formal announcement shortly afterwards. "The sun has set in the kingdom of Tonga," it said in a statement.
The king's body will remain in Auckland until Wednesday, before being moved back to Tonga to lie in state.
Mourning has already begun and is expected to last up to a year.
Heaviest monarch
King Tupou took over the monarchy in 1965, after the death of his mother, Queen Salote, and soon began modernising the archipelago's education system and infrastructure.
Throughout his reign, the royal family controlled Tonga's semi-feudal political system and most of the economy, which is dependent upon farming, fishing and remittances from expatriate Tongans.
The king made headlines around the world in the 1970s, when he became the world's heaviest monarch at over 200 kg (440 lb).
But in the 1990s he headed a national keep fit campaign and shed a third of his weight.
For most of his reign, King Tupou had the respect and loyalty of his subjects and other leaders in the South Pacific.
But in recent years, he has faced increasing dissent.
In 2005, thousands of people took to the streets to demand democracy and public ownership of key assets, in unprecedented public demonstrations.
South Pacific analysts say the king's death is likely to fuel demands for greater liberalisation in Tonga.
The king's death is the second blow to the Tongan royal family and the Tongan people in recent months.
The kingdom has only recently mourned the death of one of the king's nephews, who, along with his wife, was killed in a car crash in San Francisco in July.

On a personal note:
I was one of those fortunate enough to meet the King of Tonga. Back in 2002 I accompanied then fellow Reporter Gerard Williams, a Harry-Brittain fellow, to interview King Tupou at Aggie Greys. What a gentle soul, so prestigious yet so humble. He was already having health problems but he was still keen to talk to us and answer questions.
From JAWS, ia manuia lau malaga.

Cherelle Jackson
JAWS Secretary

Dev's Seminar well received

2006-09-07T13:42:00.000-07:00

The JAWS Seminar on Revitalizing Regional Media, presented by Dev Nadkarni was well received by members of the media yesterday. Print, Radio and TV Journalists and Editors were eager to learn more about the new era of Regional Media in this digital age.
[Picture] Dev Pictured here with Seminar participants.

According to Dev, the web regardless of how we may feel about it personally, is the way to go for news organizations. He draws from his experience as the creater of the Islands Business website which has seen a tremendous increase in traffice in its first year on-line.

Currently the only Samoan news provided online from Samoa is on Event Polynesia, but there are others who update Samoan news worldwide.
JAWS would like to thank Dev for taking his time to meet with local media, we would also like to thank the Public Sector Improvement Facility for the use of the Conference Room.
[Picture] Dev Nadkarni of Islands Business, Cherelle Jackson of JAWS and Abel Caine of UNESCO.

Preferential Treatment of Media by Samoan Police

2006-09-06T17:31:00.000-07:00

By JAWS

Members of the private Media were turned away from the Prison Cells at Tafaigata last week.
Police turned five reporters, from Newsprint, Radio and one TV away at the gates of the Tafaigata Prison Cells early last week.
The Reporters were attempting to report on the opening of the newly built cells at the Prison after a Press Release was received the day before.
One disgruntled Reporter stated: “After being rejected at the gate I went directly to the Commissioner of Police and asked him to let me in, but he said we were not allowed and he did not give a reason why.”
One Reporter made it all the way up to the Minister concerned only to be told yet again that the private media was not allowed.
That same night the Government owned TV Station, SBC TV1 aired the full story of the opening complete with images.
Members of JAWS have expressed their concern over the preferential treatment by Government Ministries of Government Media.
According to one JAWS Officer: “All forms of Media in this country should be equal and we should all have the same rights to any information, therefore what the Police did was undemocratic and not to mention unfair.”
This is not the first time the police have withheld information from the media, with a history of hiding figures and statistics from the public their secrecy is no news to local Journalists.
The Police Commissioner has yet to provide a reason for the impromptu ban on the private media.

Seminar Presentation: Revitialising Regional Media

2006-09-04T15:28:00.000-07:00

A Seminar Presentation on the topic 'Revitalising Regional Media' will be hosted by JAWS on the Wed, 6th of September 2006.

Topic: Revitalising Regional Media
Speaker: Dev Nadkarni, Contributing Editor of Islands Business Magazine
Date: 6th September 2006
Time: 5:00pm
Venue: tbc

For more information contact us at jawsexec@yahoo.com or at 7773776.

Speaker Profile: Dev Nadkarni

2006-09-04T15:19:00.000-07:00

Dev Nadkarni has been in the communications industry for twenty years, working in diverse positions in both the traditional and new media on three continents.
A national topper and gold medalist from one of India’s leading journalism schools, he has worked as reporter, associate editor and business manager with
newspapers, publishing houses and with network television.
In the mid-nineties he moved to new media and academics. He was Director of Web Content and Strategy with a Los Angeles, USA-based Internet content and services provider. Later, he moved to Suva, Fiji, as Coordinator and Senior Lecturer of the Journalism Programme at the University of the South Pacific.
He has served on consultative panels of international organisations on programmes in the Asia-Pacific region and has travelled widely as a trainer of media practitioners. He is currently contributing editor with the Islands Business International group, a diversified, cross-media publishing company in the Pacific region. He edits the Pacific Islands region’s most accessed news and current affairs website, http://www.islandsbusiness.com/, which he developed for the IBI group.
Dev loves teaching and has developed over 100 hours of interactive instructional material on a wide range of media subjects including journalism and new media. He teaches both at tertiary institutions and corporate organizations in New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. He writes regularly for a number of publications and websites, and is also a published cartoonist.
He lives in Auckland.

Dev will speak on Revitalising Regional Media
Time: 5:00pm,
Date: Wednesday, 6th September
Venue: to be advised

Successful Training

2006-09-04T15:09:00.000-07:00

The JAWS Training for Radio Journalist last week was great success. Journalists from both Radio and Print joined together to learn the art of making news bulletins. Trainer Jake Brown pointed out some of the dos and don'ts of radio news and encouraged participants to make their product interesting. The participants were taught several techniques to improve their news bulletins and attract listeners including pronunciation, the use of words and leading sentences. Mock bulletins were made and then reviewed by the participants to improve their outputs.
Jake expressed his satisfaction with the outcome of the training and said he hopes to do more training of the same kind.
JAWS would like to thank NUSIT, Jake Brown and Rev Moli Moli.

Above left: Radio Journalists with Trainer Jake Brown and President of JAWS Papalii Taimalelagi.
Middle: Radio Journalists from Radio Polynesia and Showers of Blessings with their Trainer Jake.
Right: Journos hard at work.

For more information about this training or similar trainings conducted by JAWS please contact us at jawsexec@yahoo.com.

Content for Radio Journalists Training

2006-08-22T02:46:00.000-07:00

By Jake Brown
Journalism Lecturer/Trainer

How do I make a dull newspaper article, press release or yesterday news into sharp informative fresh news for radio?
Broadcast radio news is the most important medium of journalism there is. News can be soaked up while driving, cooking and working, with your eyes closed and even while watching TV or reading a book. But, the human ear can only digest and process interesting, sharp and to the point information. This workshop will help you build the skills needed to make your news stand out and stick in peoples heads, be understood, sound fresh and ultimately make you and your radio station sound good.
This is a 2 hour workshop for professional journalists and members of the public interested in broadcast journalism. It’s aimed at introducing them to Australian and British radio news bulletins standards and enhancing their skills in news writing style, writing broadcast copy and on-air delivery.

The Workshop Program
News Writing Styles
• We Write for the Ear not the Eye
• Rewriting Copy
• Broadcast News is Always in the PRESENT

Writing Broadcast Copy
• The Lead
• Convince Your Listeners the News is Fresh
• Constructing the Rest of the Story

Delivering the News
• Marking Copy to Make you Sound Good
• Making the Audience Want to Listen to You
• Pronunciation Tricks

Training for Radio Journalists

2006-08-17T14:04:00.006-07:00

Training for Radio Journalists will be held at the end of this month at Samoa Polytechnic. The training will further equip Broadcast professionals on writing, reading and reporting skills specific to Radio. This Training is a joint project by JAWS and Samoa Polytechnic Journalism Department to improve the level of news output in Samoa. Although targeted for Radio Journalists others in the industry are welcome to learn about this area of news writing. Please find below an invitation to this training.
Members are free to attend however non-members are required to pay $10.00 towards your membership fee before attending.
Associate and Life Members need not pay membership fees.

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

Radio Journalists are hereby invited by JAWS to participate in Training for Radio Journalists. This training is for Broadcast Professionals but those in the print media are also welcome to attend.

Date: 30 August 2006

Time: 11:30am

Venue: Samoa Polytech/NUS

Trainer: Mr. Jake Brown

Note: Please confirm attendance to Secretary at jawsexec@yahoo.com or

phone 7773776.

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

Trainer Profile: Jake Brown

2006-08-17T13:49:00.000-07:00

JAWS Trainer for the Broadcast Training for Journalists Mr. Jake Brown is currently a Journalism lecturer at the National University of Samoa. He is in Samoa as an Australian Youth Ambassador for Development. Jake’s Journalism career spans from the UK to Australia working with different aspects of the Broadcasting Industry.
Jake received his Postgraduate Diploma in Broadcast Journalism from the City University London. His experience has seen him work for BBC radio as a producer and researcher, and later on as a Broadcast Journalist in commercial radio. Recently he has been freelancing in Australia.
His 10 years in Broadcasting has seen him involved with setting up community and university radio stations and running broadcasting summer schools for disadvantage teenagers. Since arriving in Samoa he’s been helping devise a Journalism Diploma course for the NUS and currently working towards creating a Polytech Student Radio Station, something we all look forward to as this will be the first of its kind.
Mr. Jake Brown is an Associate Member of JAWS.

What are defamation and libel?

2006-08-07T18:17:00.000-07:00

Quick Facts for our Local Journalists

Defamation is any published material that damages the reputation of an individual or an organisation. This covers material on the internet as well as radio and television broadcasts - so even drama and fiction can be defamatory if they damage someone’s reputation. You can only publish defamatory material if it comes within one of the recognised legal defences. If it doesn’t, the publication will amount to libel and you may have to pay substantial damages.Libel online
Slander is 'defamation by word of mouth'
Internet sites are not exempt from any libel laws. If you are publishing on the internet you are bound by the same libel laws as print publishers. In a significant ruling in 2002, the Australian high court ruled that mining magnate Joseph Gutnick could sue publisher Dow Jones under Australian law for alleged libel online. The judge deemed that the web was no different from newspapers or television. In the UK, internet service providers are coming under increasing pressure to close sites containing defamatory allegations. You also have to be careful about the comments others post on your site. There have been cases where individuals have sued online publishers for libel over customer book reviews published on their sites. Such developments have implications for freedom of expression.The purpose of libel law Libel law protects individuals or organisations from unwarranted, mistaken or untruthful attacks on their reputation. A person is libelled if a publication:
Exposes them to hatred, ridicule or contempt
Causes them to be shunned or avoided
Discredits them in their trade, business or profession
Generally lowers them in the eyes of right thinking members of society For example, MORAL rights campaigner Victoria Gillick recently won a £5,000 settlement and an apology after taking libel action against the Brook Advisory Centre, a charity which gives sex advice to young people, over allegations that Brook had suggested Mrs Gillick "bore a moral responsibility" for an increase in pregnancies among teenagers. A fact sheet published by Brook contained the heading "What caused the teenage conception rate to rise in the 1980s?", and listed a legal action brought by Mrs Gillick against the Department of Health over contraception guidelines as one of the causes.

Courtesy of Action Network at http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/actionnetwork/A1183394

Successful JAWS Seminar on Environment

2006-07-22T18:29:00.000-07:00

The Samoan media turned up in full force to the first JAWS Seminar this year held at the Treasure Garden Conference Room.
Journalists, Editors and various newsworkers participated in the 1 hour Seminar on Environmental Reporting by Dr. Jaap Jaspers, current Editor and Publications officer for SPREP. He spoke on the need for better coverage of Environment issues in the region. Dr. Jasperse whose experience in the field of Environment reporting includes an Editor position in the Science Journal expressed the need for accuracy in Environmental Reporting. Dr. Jasperse suggested that "cross cutting" issues was not the best way to report on Environment Issues. "Think of a mat, the weaving and use that in reporting these issues." According to him seeing the bigger picture in one Environment Issue will create a better and more holistic understanding of the Environment. "Your audience needs to see where this issue stands in the whole scale of things."
Dr. Jasperse concluded his presentation with a brief look at some of the issues facing Samoa, including Climate Change. This prompted some interesting questions and remarks from the Journalists who requested more information on the issue.
The Seminar proved very successful in the end as an interest was stirred in the participants who had not considered the Environment as worthwhile news.
Dr. Jasperse was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation and a tanoa from JAWS for his contribution to the training of Journalists in Samoa. The seminar concluded with a lunch provided by JAWS for the participants and short networking session amongst members.

Acknowledgement: JAWS would like to thank all members and non-members for participating in the Seminar, and encourage all Media workers to participate in future Seminars and Trainings.

Findings of JAWS Seminar Questionaire

On the question of the importance of Environment Reporting, participants answered.
Not important 0
Only when there is no other news 0
Important 44%
Extremely Important 56%

Would they report more on Environment after the right training.
Yes 99%
No 0
Maybe 1%

Please check back for more information on this questionairre.

First JAWS Seminar

2006-07-18T02:32:00.000-07:00

JAWS will hold it's first Seminar on Wednesday this week at the Treasure Garden Conference Room. Below is the inviation to Journalists, Editors and News Workers to participate in this Seminar.

Seminar Details
Venue: Treasure Garden Conference Room
Time: 11:30am
Duration: 1 hour

Welcome
Prayer
Seminar Presentation: “What is Environmental Reporting?”
Refreshments
Faafetai

Invitation to Seminar

You are invited by the
Journalists Association of [Western] Samoa
to participate in the
Seminar: “What is Environmental Reporting?”

The Seminar will feature our Guest Speaker is Mr Jaap Jasperse, Editor and Publications Officer for SPREP.
Mr Jasperse has a Doctorate in Biology and a PhD in Communications Studies.
He was a Journalist for Farmer Magazine in New Zealand, then Editor of the Science Journal and his last post was as Science Publisher for the Department of Conservation.
Mr Jaap, better known as Iapi brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in the field of Environment Reporting.
His presentation will attempt to answer the question: “What is Environment Reporting?” He will also speak on particular Environment Issues relating to Samoa and the Media.
All Journalists, Editors and News Workers are welcome to attend this Seminar.

Peter Lomas ends contract

2006-07-03T13:16:00.000-07:00

Training and Development Officer for Samoa Observer recently ended his contract with the local news outlet. Peter Lomas has had a long and fruitful career in the media industry in the region. Peter has also been a supportive member of JAWS and has assisted in many areas including World Press Freedom Day. We wish to thank Peter Lomas for his contribution to the Samoan media and wish him luck on his future journeys.

Faafetai

Cherelle S Jackson
Secretary
JAWS

Notice: Special General Meeting

2006-06-14T13:11:00.000-07:00

Please be informed that Special General Meeting for JAWS will be held to discuss urgent matters. Please attend and make an effort to pay your subcriptions if you wish to attend planned trainings and other activities by JAWS, but let this not deter you from attending the SGM.

Individual: $10.00
Organisation: $50.00

Date: Wed 21st June 2006
Time: 5:00pm
Venue: 1st Floor, Conference Room on the left (same as before), Govt Bldg

AGENDA will be posted by Friday 16th.

Faafetai

Cherelle S Jackson
Secretary
JAWS

Samoa Observer goes international

2006-06-11T00:36:00.000-07:00

By Dev Nadkarni

[Islands Business] Samoa is perhaps the only Pacific Islands nation that has international editions of its publications.

Earlier this year, the country's most widely circulated newspaper, the daily Samoa Observer, launched its twice-weekly New Zealand edition published from Auckland. This is printed from the Observer's own press site, set up in the heart of the large Samoan community in South Auckland.In early December, the Samoa Observer will launch its five days a week American Samoa edition, again printing locally from a press site it has set up at Tafuna, near Pago Pago's international airport. The newspaper has come a long way since its presses were burned down in 1994 following its extensive reporting about corruption. Founder and award-winning editor-in-chief Savea Sano Malifa had a series of lawsuits slapped on him and the paper, one of which is still dragging on. He was also assaulted. A witness in a murder trial over the assassination of a cabinet minister also revealed Savea had been targeted for killing too because of his reporting exposing corruption.“But all that's a thing of the past,” he says now. “The present government has shown a lot of respect for human rights and media freedom.”His enterprise has already sunk almost S$600,000 into the two new editions. “We have a circulation of 5000 in New Zealand and will be kicking off with 3500 in American Samoa,” he says. The New Zealand edition sells at a cover price of NZ$2. After its initial successful launch in Auckland, it is now achieving rapid circulation gains in Wellington, the other main centre of the Samoan community in New Zealand.

Sales soared
New Zealand has about 120,000 Samoans, 40,000 of them believed to be living in the greater Auckland region, particularly in Manukau City. At least another 1100 Samoans migrate to New Zealand each year under New Zealand's Samoan immigration quota. “I believe there is a market for a five-day-a-week Samoan/English publication,” says Malifa and indicates that he and his team are working towards it. While Malifa has been concentrating on the American Samoa launch, publisher Muliagatele Jean Malifa has been looking after developing the New Zealand edition, and training and development editor Peter Lomas runs the seven-day-a-week Samoa edition.To promote the sales of his New Zealand edition, Malifa pulled the Observer's free online edition off the Internet. “Once I took it offline, the sales soared,” says he. He does not plan to restore the online edition in a hurry. While he asserts that the Samoan print medium is reasonably free, he has reservations about broadcast, particularly television. “It is government-owned and very much a dog on a leash,” he says. The parliamentary Opposition, the Samoa Democratic United Party, has taken to monitoring news coverage on SBC TV One. Figures it regularly produces show the government gets far more air time on SBC TV news than the Opposition.Faiesea Lei Sam-Matafeo, the government-owned Samoa Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) chief executive officer, vehemently disagrees with Malifa. “There is no interference from government,” she counters. “SBC is not funded by the government, it is a self-funding operation. Besides, the government pays for any programming it wants telecast.”Lei Sam-Matafeo says her corporation has complete freedom on deciding the programming. “They (the government) do make requests now and then; but we have the final say,” she adds.She substantiates broadcasting's independence by explaining the provisions of the Public Bodies Act, which were changed during the course of law reforms in 2001. “Under the provisions, ministers are liable if they interfere with the operations of public enterprises,” she says. However, critics point out that Communications Minister Palusalue Fa'apo II continues to chair the government-appointed SBC board.SBC is deemed a public trading organisation operating as a business. “Since 2002, we have been turning out a profit and are now completely self-funded,” Lei Sam-Matafeo points out.Of the 18 hours of daily programming, 30 percent is indigenous. Much of it falls in the infotainment/edutainment category. Programmes like 'Do You Know' which explain procedures relating to the availing of agricultural loans and other business and health-related information, community notices and talk shows are all produced indigenously. Among the popular locally-made programmes is 'Vaa O Manu' which candidly deals with social issues like child and sexual abuse and HIV/AIDS. Two-and-a-half hours of religious programming is also part of the corporation's local offering.Some of the cultural content like live coverage of events and traditional themes like “Legends of Samoa” finds its way into community television programming in Australia and New Zealand. The bulk of the programming, though, comes from overseas networks.

Bollywood films a hit
A recent hit is the introduction of Bollywood films in the Saturday afternoon slot. “This has been a great success,” says Lei Sam-Matafeo. “If we ever miss it on a single Saturday, we're flooded with calls. Bollywood attitudes seem to be having a strong influence on young people here.”SBC's radio operation runs both AM and FM services, the latter beaming round the clock. The AM service is received both in neighbouring Tokelau, Niue and American Samoa.Commercial broadcasting pioneers Radio Polynesia operates four 24-hour-a-day stations from Apia. Radio Polynesia is rapidly developing its transmission reach, including across the waters to Tutuila in American Samoa, where many Samoans work in the Pago Pago fish canneries.Founder Maposua Rudolf Keil has also obtained one of two commercial free-to-air television licences issued by the Government. He has been coy about giving details. But he is known to have looked at both free-to-air and pay TV.Armed with five camera units and a PC-based post-production set-up, SBC also offers production and post-production services to local advertisers in creating their television spots. Lei Sam-Matafeo, a journalist-turned-CEO, is positive about the future. As the economy grows, she expects companies to spend more on advertising. “Although it is too early, the next logical step for SBC would be to consider adding a pay channel,” she says.There are already signs of the advertising industry growing. Ronette Van Heeswyck, an independent video producer and director who moved to Samoa from New Zealand three years ago, sees it coming. “Advertising has become more sophisticated. What I find now with clients is a complete change in mindset. They now understand that advertising is not just about price and all about how well it will sell their product and services,” she says.Last year, her firm Promo Pictures Productions, put together Samoa's first advertorial TV show, 'My Samoan Wedding'. It showcased Samoa's wedding industry and had phone numbers on screen for people to ring at the end of each profile. The show was aimed at people planning their weddings so they would know where to go. But being an independent production house in Samoa is challenging, especially because of the small size of the market. “Currently, only SBC One produces TV shows, because they have the financial backing. But for the rest of us freelance producers, we have to find our own sponsors and that's very difficult in such a small market. Also, when we want our shows broadcast on television we pay for airtime. It's not like TV stations overseas where you sell your shows to them to recover your costs. Here in Samoa, you pay to produce your show, you pay to market your show and you pay to broadcast your show,” says Van Heeswyck.

A Talofa to CIJA

2006-05-31T22:15:00.000-07:00

JAWS would like to say talofa to the Journalists of the beautiful Cook Islands and the soon to be reformed Cook Islands Journalists Association (CIJA). Please find below the first entry on their new weblog, started by Jason Brown.

Monday, May 29, 2006
Welcome to the cija weblog site!
NEWS
Following a meeting today at Mama's Cafe, four of roughly 20 journalists in the Cook Islands decided to rebuild the national journalists association. Meetings will be held for an hour each Monday at Mama's Cafe to work towards this goal. Industry issues including training and professional development will be the focus of members as they rebuild the association.

Weblog url: http://cook-islands-journalists-association.blogspot.com/

Samoa bans Da Vinci

2006-05-22T04:24:00.000-07:00

[The Age] The Pacific island nation of Samoa has banned The Da Vinci Code after church leaders frowned on the film about a fictional Catholic conspiracy.
Samoa's principal censor banned the Ron Howard movie based on the best-selling Dan Brown novel from cinema, DVD and video rental and television broadcast, Radio New Zealand International reported.
The decision was made after leaders of the Samoa Council of Churches watched a weekend preview of the Da Vinci Code in the country's only cinema at the government's invitation.
The Archbishop of the Catholic Church in Samoa, Alapati Mataeliga, said the film would affect the beliefs of young people whose faith was not strong.
Magik cinema owner Rudolf Keil told the broadcaster the ban breached Samoans' human rights.
The censor said his decision was made according to Samoa's constitution and amendments to nation's film act.
Samoa has been staunchly Christian since missionaries arrived in the 19th century and has a reputation for being the Bible belt of the Pacific.
A Catholic organisation in neighbouring Fiji has called for a similar ban on The Da Vinci Code, which is screening at a cinema in the capital Suva.
"I question the wisdom in approving this movie, given the widespread criticisms it attracted worldwide," Catholic League For Religious and Civil Rights Movement spokesman Kelepi Lesi said.
"The movie undermines the very heart of the Christian belief and the Film Censor Board, in giving the green light for public screening, confirms it's insensitive to our culture," Lesi told the Fiji Sun.

Courtesy of: http://www.theage.com.au/news/film/samoa-bans-da-vinci/2006/05/22/1148150162764.html

Freedom of the Press Under Attack in US

2006-05-22T03:06:00.000-07:00

ABC News reported on Monday that a senior federal law enforcement had revealed that the government is now tracking phone calls made by journalists from the New York Times, Washington Post and ABC News. We speak with Brian Ross, chief investigative reporter at ABC News.
On Monday, ABC News reported the government is tracking the phone numbers dialed from major news organizations in an effort to root out confidential government sources that speak to reporters. The media groups include the New York Times, the Washington Post, and ABC News itself. Government leaks have led to front-page stories detailing the Bush administration’s spy program and the CIA’s network of secret prisons in Eastern Europe. The leaks have greatly angered Bush administration officials.
This revelation comes on the heels of last week’s disclosure that three of the country’s largest telecom companies handed over millions of phone call records to help the National Security Agency build the world’s largest database, comes a new revelation.
We’re joined now by the ABC News reporter who broke this story – someone who may well be a target of this new phase of government monitoring himself. Brian Ross is the Chief Investigative reporter for ABC News. He joins us on the line from New York.

Brian Ross, Chief Investigative Correspondent for ABC News
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/05/16/145201

Calling for URGENT nominations

2006-05-15T19:27:00.000-07:00

Reham Al-Farra Memorial Journalists' Fellowship Programme 2006

From UN via Abel Caine

Greetings from Australia.
I am writing to ask for your feedback and suggestions on Samoan media. Samoa has been selected to participate in the annual Reham Al-Farra Memorial Journalists' Fellowship Programme, sponsored by UN-DPI, which will take place at UN Headquarters in September/October this year.
As such, UNIC Sydney/Canberra is looking to nominate four journalists from Samoa, one of whom will be selected to participate. Two of these nominees must be women. I'm also checking with our colleagues from ADB, World Bank and UNHCR.

Best regards

Jennie Watson
United Nations Information Centre - Australia and the Pacific

MORE INFO ON FELLOWSHIP

[UN Press Release] The training programme for junior media professionals from developing and transition countries concluded at United Nations Headquarters today. The purpose of the programme is to help young professionals better understand the challenges faced by the United Nations and to assist them in reporting on global issues after they return to their home countries.
The six-week programme included visits to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank in Washington, D.C., and to leading media and academic institutions in Atlanta, New York and New Jersey. At the United Nations, senior officials from the Secretariat, the United Nations system and Member States briefed the journalists on a wide range of subjects.

UN honours staff killed in Baghdad

[unescap.org] The United Nations has decided to rename its annual training programme for young journalists in honour of Reham Al-Farra, one of the staff members killed in last month’s terrorist bombing of the UN’s headquarters in Baghdad and the first female daily political columnist in her native Jordan. The training programme, which brings journalists from developing countries to UN Headquarters in New York, will be renamed the Reham Al-Farra Memorial Journalists' Fellowship Programme, Shashi Tharoor, the head of the UN Department of Public Information (DPI), which runs the annual workshop, said in a letter to Ms. Al-Farra's mother. "I believe this Fellowship will be a fitting memorial to a young woman who was clearly committed not only to her profession of journalism but also to her mission to help make the world a better place," he wrote. "It will, I hope, honour her memory and remind us of the inspiration she gave to us all."
On the one month anniversary of the 19 August bomb blast at the Canal Hotel, Secretary-General Kofi Annan paid tribute to Ms. Al-Farra during a memorial ceremony for those killed, including Sergio Vieira de Mello, Mr. Annan's Special Representative for Iraq, and 20 others. "You chose to work for the United Nations because you wanted to do something for others," the Secretary-General said. "You went to Iraq to make a contribution to the lives of your Arab brothers and sisters. It is their loss as much as ours that you were denied the chance to do that." In mid-August, Ms. Al-Farra, 29, went to Baghdad from New York, where she worked on the Arabic-language version of the UN News Centre web site, to take up temporary duties in the Office of the Spokesman for the Special Representative. Before joining the UN earlier this year, Ms. Al-Farra was the first female daily political columnist writing for Al Arab Al Yawm, a prominent newspaper in Amman. She had also been active at the Centre for Defending Freedom of Journalists.

Please forward nominations to samoanwriter@yahoo.com as soon as possible.