Dear Editor,The recent cancellation of the Prime Minister's scheduled weekly press conference has raised serious questions about the Government's commitment to transparency and accountability.
This comes straight after parliament passes the budget for the next financial year. It also follows comments made in Parliament by the Minister of Revenue, suggesting that the Samoa Observer's licence could be revoked if it continues to publish false stories, as alleged, about the Government. Such remarks, whether intended as a warning or otherwise, inevitably raise concerns about press freedom and the ability of journalists to carry out their role without fear or intimidation in a democratic country.The media, as the fourth pillar of our democracy, has played a vital role for many years in bringing matters of public interest into the open for the information of the public. What also concerns the writer are the recent media reports that have raised valuable questions about the use of district development funds, including allegations that public money was used for taalolo and to purchase corporate tables for a FAST fundraising ball during Independence celebrations earlier this month.
These funds are intended for district development and deserve a clear public explanation from our leaders, especially the Prime Minister. If public funds were used appropriately, the Government should have no hesitation in providing the facts and supporting documentation for explanation to clear up any public doubt on Government spending and whether it was spent in accordance with the Public Finance Management Act 2001. What's mind-boggling is why the Government itself is not taking the media to court if they feel the issues raised are twisted and fabricated.Equally concerning are reports of a leaked Cabinet directive approving close to one million tala for the Bluewave internet project despite claims that the project has failed to achieve its intended objectives to provide internet to all schools. Whether those claims are ultimately substantiated or not, taxpayers are entitled to know how their money is being managed and what safeguards exist to ensure accountability. The Government should be reminded that public funds belong to the people. So the public deserves to know how it is being managed by the leaders that they elected.It is also noteworthy that confidential Cabinet documents continue to find their way into the public domain and it will get worse if the Government refuses to operate transparently. If government employees are choosing to disclose information because they believe it is in the public interest, this may reflect broader concerns within the public service about transparency and any alleged mismanagement of public resources by the Government without any consequences.Those who lawfully expose suspected wrongdoing or matters of significant public interest should be afforded appropriate legal protections under whistleblower principles, while any allegations they raise should be independently investigated.This Government has been in office for only nine months, and it's sad to see where Samoa is heading. It appears they intend to operate in the shadows without any accountability to the people of Samoa. Their time in office should be an ample opportunity to demonstrate a genuine commitment to open government to fulfil the promises they made to the country during the election campaign, or were they just straight out lying to the people to get elected? Samoa's development partners and donor governments are watching closely and rightly expect high standards of transparency, accountability, and responsible stewardship of public funds, including aid money. Confidence in our institutions depends on these principles being upheld.Transparency is not a threat to good governance —it is its strongest safeguard. Governments that welcome scrutiny strengthen public trust; governments that appear to avoid scrutiny risk undermining it.
