An independent media is vital to democracy

By Staff Reporters/

Apia, SAMOA – 19 May 2026: Members of the Samoan media in the national media association – JAWS, came together yesterday to launch a weeklong celebration of World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) celebration which falls on the 3^rd May every year.

The United Nations Education Scientific Organisation (UNESCO) Resident Representative for the Pacific States Alam Sardar Umar delivered the keynote address to officially open the week-long program,

He spoke about the important role of the free independent media.

He said it is essential to have a free independent media that is inclusive of society and noted the many challenges faced by the media globally with the transformation marked by conflict and technological changes.

These changes have impacted on the freedom of the press.

A global drop of press freedom
Samoas’ media freedom ranking in the World Press Freedom Index now sits at 59 and discussions have been asked about the reasons behind the drop.

Some have blamed the ban on a newspaper, the reinstatement of the criminal libel law and political pressure.

Umar said according to UNESCO data, the press freedom ranking has indeed declined globally by 10% over the last 14 years and efforts to control and restrict media has increased by 48%.

“The commitment to safeguard and sustain the information environment is more important now than ever,” he said.

He also noted that the presence of the media practitioners at the opening ceremony gives out a great message of how important it is to uphold that freedom for the next generation.

Members of the Samoan media and invited guests at the opening of World Press Freedom week-long celebrations at the Tanoa Tusitala Hotel yesterday.

Governments support for the media remains
Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt who was invited to launch the JAWS Strategic Plan with the Australia High Commissioner, HE Will Robinson, reaffirmed the Government’s stance support of the media.

Although he wished he had a chance to speak on media freedom at the opening, he however called on the media to work together with the Government to support development efforts for the national interest.

The program organizers say the Prime Minister has a chance to speak in an awards event later in the weeks program.

Great power comes with responsibilities
The popular Reverend Dr. Siaosi Salesulu and a member of the newly formed Media Council, led the opening service with a word of encouragement.

He said the media has great power to shape and change things, but that power comes with great responsibilities.

He encouraged the media to be responsible and continue the fine work.

HE Robinson also touched on the free and independent media as the pillar of public interest and a platform that upholds democracy.

“The press is an essential public service,” he said.

Robinson also saluted the practitioners past and present who served the country and people through the stories they told of the country’s development over the last 50 years.

The 50^th anniversary celebrations
The week-long program include digital training for young media practitioners through the Australian funded media initiative PACMAS, schools writing competition and a session focusing on women in the media. The celebrations will culminate with the JAWS 50^th anniversary on Friday. The anniversary was supposed to be celebrated in December last year, but the Executive decided to postpone it to this year to coincide with the celebration of WPFD.

The program will include the recognition of JAWS founding members and long serving members of the media.