Media

JAWS honours Founding & Long Serving Members in 50 years celebrations

Published

17 hours ago

May 25, 2026

A woman and a man in a JAWS celebration cutting a cake

Publisher of the Samoa Observer Newspaper, Muliagatele Jean Malifa and founder of Talamua Media, Apulu Lance Polu cutting the cake celebrating JAWS 50 years.

By Jeannie Penehuro/

Apia, SAMOA – 25 May 2026 – The National Samoa Media Association of Samoa – JAWS culminated the weeklong celebrations of media freedom and the 50 years of the association’s founding, with honouring her founding members and those who have served the industry for more than 30 years.

“Fifty years is a long journey, and JAWS could not have made it this far if it was not for the perseverance and strong stance by those who paved the way and those who carried the legacy forward,” stated President Lagi Keresoma.

Only a few were bold enough to establish an organisation that stood and defended media freedom and the rights of the media and free expression in the last fifty years.

According to JAWS President Lagi Keresoma, the organisation started small and has since grown with the industry now dominated by women in leadership and operational roles of the Samoan media.

The British High Commissioner, His Excellency Mr Gareth Hoar, a major sponsor of the JAWS 50th anniversary celebrations and media development through the BBC Media Initiative presenting Lagi Keresoma a long service media award.

“It was not always smooth sailing as they faced challenges, but today there are 21 media organizations but not all of them are registered members,” she said.

The organization has come a long way since it started from humble beginnings to becoming a vital part of Samoa’s democratic process and media landscape.

“It’s the truth that suffers”
Delivering the keynote address was Patū Apulu Lance Polu, a former JAWS and PINA President and founder of Talamua Media.

He also played a key role in defending media freedom in Samoa and across the Pacific. He emphasized that if media outlets do not take responsibility for correcting wrong information in their reports, they risk damaging their credibility and the very truth they subscribe to protect.

“In the end, it is the truth that suffers, and it is the truth that matters,” he said.

Former JAWS and PINA President and Founder of Talamua Media, Apulu Lance Polu delivering the keynote address for JAWS 50 years celebration.

Referring to Samoa’s 59th rank in the 2026 Media Freedom Index compiled by the Reporters Without Borders, he asked the basic questions.

“Are our basic freedoms affected by the 59th ranking? Has it stopped any of us accessing facebook and the internet, has it affected us expressing ourselves freely, our peoples freedom to move around the country, our children going to school everyday and us coming to work and coming here to Taumeasina this morning?”

Then he touched on the question of the Samoa Observer ban if it has affected media freedom in Samoa.

“I think the basic question here is the “truth” because that’s the journalist’s ultimate defence, whether the story or article is true.

“If the story is true then the news outlet can stand by its story. But if its story is wrong, then it is ethically bound to make a correction. The JAWS Media Code of Ethics and Code of Practice requires a media outlet or journalist to make a correction as soon as its realized a story is incorrect,” he said.

Tootooleaava Dr. Fanaafi Le Tagaloa and Fitmalu Donna Ioane, daughters of former PINA President and owner of South Seas Star, Le Tagaloa Pita who received the award in behalf of their father.

In today’s media landscape, technology has transcended what used to be the geographical boundaries for the media.

“It simply means Samoan radio, newspapers and TV news now have the whole world as our audience, and our paid subscribers live well beyond the shores of Samoa,” he said.

“If the media makes a mistake and the outlet fails or refuses to make a correction, readers and researchers worldwide will find the wrong information still up there, and more often than not, it is that information that shape rankings like the one that Samoa now has,” said Apulu.

“Now for us to stand up to promote and protect media freedom, how do we fair, if we are infact defending and sustaining an untruth or untruths?

“Are we in promoting and protecting media freedom, are propagating misinformation and disinformation at the same time and make it a norm?” he asked.

JAWS President Lagi Keresoma, President of the Samoa Law Society Fiona Ey with family members of former Samoa Times Editor and Academic, Leulu Dr Felise Vaai at the awards ceremony.

He said in todays’ media landscape, readership, ratings, viewership, algorithms, online interaction, are all part of the medias commercial drive to stay on top of competition.

And if a media outlet keeps apologising and making regular corrections on published articles, that affects their integrity and results in paid subscribers pulling out.

“The question is, is this a reason why media outlets are not willing to correct stories despite the stories negative impact on one’s reputation?

“Because it is the truth that suffers in the very end.”

“Don’t give up. The people need us.”
The JAWS founding President, Seuseu Faalogo Pito who sent a congratulatory message from Auckland, New Zealand and at 88 years old, could no attend due to health reasons.

He acknowledged JAWS journey and highlighted the increasing number of women working in the media today and advised journalists to use clear, precise words when writing stories especially in a language to better connect with the people.

“Don’t give up. The people need us,” he said.

Some of the JAWS members and working journalists at the celebration.

Carrying the legacy forward
Keresoma said JAWS journey was not always smooth sailing, but the perseverance of those who paved the way has built the legacy we are celebrating.

“This is the start of a new journey for JAWS and we hope that the new generation of media practitioners will continue to carry this legacy forward.”

Founding Members