Samoa’s Ministry of Police has backed calls from the national journalists’ association to repeal the criminal libel law and reaffirms its support for freedom of expression.
Samoa Observer quotes Police Commissioner Auapaau Logoitino Filipo, saying they fully support a free press and have been open to media queries, regardless if it is for or against the work of police.
However, Auapaau pointed out that the charges against the senior journalist and President of the Journalists Association of Samoa (JAWS) were the outcome of an investigation.
JAWS President, Lagi Keresoma, was charged with one count of criminal libel last Sunday, in connection with an article she wrote alleging a former cop facing forgery charges sought assistance from the Head of State to withdraw the charges against him.
That former officer has denied any attempt to influence the Head of State and subsequently filed a complaint with police, claiming the article had tainted his reputation.
In a statement from the JAWS Executive Board, the association expressed its concern about threats to press freedom under section 117A of the Crimes Act 2013.
JAWS said the provision is a troubling development for press freedom in Samoa and should not be used to silence journalists and discourage investigative reporting.
