By Staff Writer
Political opposition claims of being denied access to Government media outlets was soundly rejected this week in Parliament.
Gagaifomauga MP La’auli Polataivao Schmidt questioned why their political views cannot be voiced through Govt. radio and newspaper, when it is state owned.
He did not appreciate the granting of access to the Prime Minister on radio and television that are denied to them in opposition.
“The PM is using this free access to run us down with derogatory remarks,” MP La’auli complained in his address of Parliament yesterday.
The Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, thoroughly denied the claims as untrue.
Tuilaepa made it very clear that the Government media, namely Radio 2AP and the Savali newspaper, have the freedom to make their own choices.
“The request to interview me comes from them, they have questions about matters of Government they want answers from me,” Tuilaepa explained.
“ I have other work to do but it is also important that I respond to their questions so not only is the media informed but more importantly the public.”
A very telling point he made was the professional freedom of the Government media staff to make their own choices on issues they believe is important for the public to know.
“They’re the ones chasing after me, they are professionals in their own field or work, and they have the freedom to make their own decisions.”
The Minister of Communications, Afamasaga Rico, made the same point.
“Whatever the staff wants to ask or follow up for the public to know the door is open for them to do so,” Afamasaga re-assured.
The Minister also raised the revenue earning side of the media based on the interest of sponsors.
“ Sponsors rush to buy advertisements on the PM’s interview programme because they know there is a huge public following.
“ If the opposition has the same sponsorship interest the media will be very keen too but there is no public appeal and government media needs to earn revenue too.”
PM Tuilaepa tagged on to his Minister’s comments with a reminder that he is not the one asking to be interviewed
“If I am the person who wants to be interviewed then I should pay for it the same way La’auli should do too because he wants to be interviewed.
“ But it’s the media who is chasing after me so why should I pay for it?”
La’auli and the few MPs currently in opposition have been making extensive use of the EFKS television support to air their political opinions.
Overseas private Samoan media are reportedly being used to spread the opposition views in the build up to the General Elections next April.
PM Tuilaepa claimed he is aware of the misinformation being spread to the outside media about the Government because the same media asks for his reaction too.
