The Faatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi government is planning to introduce sweeping restrictions on the way media question government leaders.
The Samoa Observer newspaper reports it has obtained a leaked 19 page Government Media Protocol paper which begins with a requirement that all media submit their questions a full day before the Prime Minister’s weekly press conferences and it proposes background checks on the “political alignment” of reporters.
Any additional or follow-up questions may be asked only if the Prime Minister allows it, giving the Government near-total control over the scope of questioning.
It says all journalists must be registered through the local media association, JAWS, before they can attend press conferences, and the Press and Communications Division will decide who gets access.
The protocol also says officials will choose which media outlets and reporters will be given the opportunity to ask questions during press conferences, and they may intervene if a journalist raises what is considered off-topic or “speculative.”
International media would face an extra layer of scrutiny.
The leaked draft allows the Government to carry out detailed background checks on foreign journalists, including looking at their reputation, past reporting and even “political alignment.”
However, the document does not define what is considered a foreign journalist.
It says the Government “reserves the right to keep a copy of the interview for release should any inaccuracies arise,” effectively allowing the state to publish its own version of the interview if it disputes how it is reported.
All media enquiries would be funnelled through a single government division, which would determine whether a response will be provided and in what form.
The protocol further outlines a weekly monitoring system to track media reports and flag items it considers misinformation, disinformation or miscommunication.
The Samoa Observer said it understands the draft is now in its third version.
