JAWS elects female dominated Executive

JAWS, newly elected Executive Council.

Staff Reporters

APIA, SAMOA 03 MAY 2021: Samoa’s National Media Association, JAWS has elected its first woman President and a female dominated Executive Council.

The Association elected senior journalist/photographer Lagi Keresoma of Talamua OnIine News as the new President taking over from Rudy Bartley who could not continue for health reasons. The Acting President, To’alepai Rula Sua-Va’ai declined nomination.

Keresoma however is not new to the role as she stepped in to lead the Association when the late President and Press Secretary, Papali’i Uale Taimalelagi passed away in 2014. She took over in a crucial time when the Association was undergoing a transition to be established legally as a statutory body by an Act of Parliament in 2015.

She now leads an Executive Council that is dominated by the privately owned and independent media.

The Association’s meeting last Friday also passed its audited accounts for 2019/2020.

The new Executive Council members are:
Lagi Keresoma           – President, Talamua Online News
Lanu Tusani               – General Secretary, Samoa Observer
Leilua Ame Sene       – Treasurer, Radio Polynesia News

3 Executive Council Members are:
Hana Lupematasila   – Loabay
Asenati Tugasolo       – Savali
Taule’ale’a Sioeli       – MaiFM/TV Tasi