Independent media in Samoa are upset over media restrictions the government is imposing for coverage of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) next month.
The host broadcaster for CHOGM is the government TV9 channel, the national radio 2AP working alongside a New Zealand-based company called MMG Communications.
MMG Communications is no stranger to the region having worked at most major conferences, sporting and arts events.
It is run by Managing Director and former Fijian journalist Richard Broadbridge and has interests in radio, television and internet services in Fiji, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand.
The co-chair for the CHOGM media sub-committee and the Chief Executive Officer for the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (M.C.I.T.), Lefaoalii Unutoa Auelua-Fonoti said local and foreign media will be able to access links to photos and footage on the website but must go through the media helpdesk to request content.
The CEO said there is a restriction for the media to access certain venues to protect the heads of government and safeguard information that cannot be released.
Lagi Keresoma, President of the journalist association, JAWS, called the restrictions ridiculous.
Journalist Galumalemana Tipi Autagavaia said this is not how the media operates and different media outlets will have different angles of how they want to deliver their news.
Lefaoalii said the media has to follow what the government wants them to do and the arrangement was done in other conferences.
According to the Chief Executive Officer for the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Agafili Shem Leo the media restrictions are based on Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) Bluebook guidelines.
Photo: JAWS President Lagi Keresoma/Samoa Observer
