The Office of the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly in Samoa wants to stop the opposition Faatuatua I Le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party from sharing and restreaming the YouTube live feed of Parliament.
“Our I.T. people are looking into this. There is a reason why the O.C.L.A. (Office of the Legislative Clerk) opted not to stream […] Parliament proceedings [live] on Facebook,” Clerk Tiatia Graeme Tualaulelei told Samoa Observer newspaper.
F.A.S.T. leader, La’auli Leuatea Schmidt confirmed his party was behind the restreaming.
“It is the [F.A.S.T.] media team and this is to assure the public are well aware of what is happening in Parliament. This is part of their coverage and we have been discussing this matter and what ways to address it”.
La’auli said there are a number of overseas supporters that don’t have access to Parliament sessions and this is public information.
“There is nothing wrong with what [our media team] are doing.”
La’auli added Parliamentary sessions are live on radio and YouTube.
“Why should restreaming on Facebook be any different?” he asked.
Tiatia explained the OCLA stopped live streaming on Facebook because users were making comments in unacceptable language.
“Due to receiving numerous spiteful comments made towards Members of Parliament on Facebook, it is our duty to protect the integrity of Parliament and Members thus the new initiative to install its live feed with YouTube,” he said in an earlier statement.
Laauli said they will filter out the vulgar language on Facebook, but is confident there is nothing “illegal” about their media team restreaming the YouTube parliamentary feed.
