Distinguished Guests
Members of the Samoa Media
Ladies and Gentlemen
Talofa lava! Tonight is a very special occasion for Samoa’s media
fraternity as we join the global commemoration of World Press
Freedom Day proclaimed by the United Nations General
Assembly in 1993 premised on the Recommendation of
UNESCO’s General Conference.

Every year on 3rd May, the world assembles to celebrate the
fundamental principles of press freedom, take stock of freedom
of expression around the world, and pay tribute to journalists
who have faced abuse and, in some countries, lost their lives in
the exercise of their profession.

As the Fourth Estate, Government values the media’s pivotal role
in the dissemination of factual information for a better-informed
Samoa and enabling informed decision making.

The theme for today’s celebration is “Press for the Planet J-
Journalism in the face of Environmental Crisis: Through the

media and their work, people come to understand the plight of
our planet and are mobilized and empowered to take action for

change. The media’s role extends beyond reporting; it shapes
public discourse and influences action. As we face the current
climate emergency, responsible journalism can be a powerful
force for good.

I would be remiss in failing to acknowledge the contribution by
our media practitioners for a job well done.

We applaud your services but by the same token we also urge
all of you here and abroad not to be complacent in performing
your duties as articulated in the Media Code of Ethics and Code
of Practice. There is a need to assure that the principles and
ethics of a free and impartial independent media is not
compromised for financial and personal gains.
Press freedom is at the crossroads with the entrance of the
universal social on-line media associated with the disruptive
power of artificial intelligence. The implications for the reliability
of information, and the sustainability of the mainstream media
are likely to be profound in a year that is focused on critical post
COVID-19 Recovery for the entire globe.

Against that background – and with projections that the vast
majority of all internet content will be synthetically produced by
2026 – journalists and news organisations will need to rethink
their role and purpose with some urgency.

On that note, let me close by wishing you all; the Samoa’s Media
Fraternity, the Journalists Association of Samoa a memorable
and peaceful World Press Freedom Day. Soifua.