By Staff Writer
Speaker Papali’i Taeu Masepa’u is allowing only selected members of the local media inside Parliament for the Head of State swearing-in this morning.
Only those who are affiliated with the local journalism association are allowed.
Speaker Papali’i did not give reasons for the selective ban on non- association members in a press statement issued by the Legislative Assembly Office on today’s session of Parliament.
It is unclear also if the ban is only for this morning’s swearing in or whether it is now the rule for the local media to observe in Parliament.
The Speaker’s decision discriminates against other members of the local media who prefer to work independently.
There are no clear legal obligations for journalists and broadcasters who preferred to work on their own to join the local media grouping.
In question also is whether the selective media privileges for entry into Parliament apply to news coverage for the foreign media as well.
If the ban rule applies to visiting media doing coverage in Samoas the question is why.
If they are no such restrictions, why then is the independent local media members banned?
The Speaker is prone to stand accused of trying to politicise and interfere with the freedom of the independent media members, prevented for doing their work, because they are not members of the local journalism grouping.
Independent media members will be interested to know also why the Speaker is acting as a flag bearer for the local media grouping only.