Advisor to the Prime Minister and former Journalist Association of Samoa (JAWS) president Apulu Lance Polu admitted that media freedom was undermined in the nation, but then proceeded to highlight that, at times, the media have been wrong.
The comments were made on Wednesday at the National University of Samoa’s Faculty of Arts during a Journalist Association of Samoa (JAWS) Media Watch panel, which brought together students, senior journalists, lecturers, and representatives.
“My answer is yes and no,” said Apulu when asked if media freedom in this country had been undermined.
He said press freedom had been affected at a surface level but stressed that Samoa’s Constitution, under Article 13, still guarantees freedom of expression, including for the media.
He said journalists must also be accountable.
