Speaker: Media Should Be Thankful They Are Allowed in Fono…

fono-opens-pres-speaker-2

Speaker of the House, Savali Talavou Ale, chastised reporters yesterday after Vaifanua faipule Fatulegaee Mauga voiced concern about a Samoan language article in the Samoa News.

The story was headlined, “A’oa’i e le Sui Fofoga Fetalai Legae’e e tausisi i tulafono a le Maota,” (Vice Speaker instructs Legae’e to follow House Rules).

During yesterday’s session, Fatulegaee said he was not aware of the article but he wanted members of the House to know that no one disciplines him.

Speaker Savali responded that the House isn’t guided or influences by stories in the newspaper or any other media outlet.

The speaker then directed his comments to KHJ News and Samoa News reporters seated in the House gallery, and said a lot of stories are not reported correctly.

But he didn’t cite examples.

Savali also said media representatives should be thankful that they are allowed to sit in the Fono and report legislative proceedings.

Before the House session started, Fatulegaee approached Samoa News reporter Sala Ausage Fausia, who authored the article, and accused him of being personal with him.

The faipule was loud and several Fono employees could hear him telling off Sala who had asked the faipule if they could go into his office to discuss his concerns.

Sala told KHJ News Fatulegaee said he hadn’t read the story but only learnt of it from a fellow faipule.

The Samoa News article reported that Vice Speaker Fetu Fetui told Fatulegaee that he did not want what happened that day to happen again.

A hearing scheduled for 11:AM was postponed to 1PM after members waited for about half an hour and ASG witnesses had not turned up.

The hearing was to discuss projected revenues from the Customs scanners.

It became clear afterwards that instead of the House clerk  informing the witnesses for the hearing, it was Rep. Fatulegaee notifying the witnesses.

The Vaifanua faipule claimed he was acting on the Speaker’s instruction because there was not enough time and the measure being reviewed , needed to be passed.

Vice Speaker Fetu Fetui told Fatulegaee to let the House Clerk do her job, insinuating that it was his involvement which resulted in the witnesses not showing up at the scheduled time.

The author of the Samoa News story wished Fatulegaee had read the article that got him all riled up first.

As for the Speaker’s comments that the media should be thankful they are allowed to sit in the House gallery and report proceedings, KHJ News points out that the media is the eyes and ears of the public which not only elects House members but also pays their salaries and all the perks that they have given themselves.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,