The Chief Executive Officer of Samoa Broadcasting Corporation Limited which owns and operates TV1Samoa has made a public apology for comments made by the leader of the Samoa Independent Seventh Day Adventist Church which has angered church and government leaders.
On television last night, CEO Galumalemana Faiesea Matafeo changed her stance on the matter which has given rise to widespread condemnation from members of Christian churches ridiculed by Pastor Willie Papu.
Earlier in the week she told Samoa Observer that what was said was a “matter for personal interpretation”.
“S.I.S.D.A.C. is entitled to the broadcasting services as all other different churches. We have raised concern with the Church leaders. It is a matter of personal interpretation,” she said at the time.
Her decision to apologize comes after Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi told Parliament he had instructed the Attorney General’s office to prepare legal action against SISDAC and SBCL for defamation.
Galumalemana said SISDAC pays to have their services broadcast on TV1Samoa but added that it is not the intention of TV1 to discredit any person or any church or to cause divisions amongst religious organizations in Samoa.
“We take pride in providing equal access to broadcasting services to all members of our community,” said Galumalemana.
The CEO commented that censorship of church ministers’ sermons has never been seen as necessary but they will begin scrutinising all sermons prior to airing on national television.
“We count on the integrity and noble judgments of Church Leaders and all Servants of God when it comes to matters of spiritual teachings,” the broadcaster said.
“We will now have to approve all religious sermons before broadcast.”
There’s still no official reaction from SISDAC or Pastor Papu on the matter.
