The Commonwealth Journalists Association (CJA) has expressed profound concern regarding the criminal libel charge against Samoan journalist Lagi Keresoma, calling on the Samoan government to repeal its criminal defamation laws in line with international standards. Keresoma, who is also the president of the Journalists Association of Samoa (JAWS), faces court proceedings next month related to an article alleging misconduct by a former police officer.
CJA’s plea is particularly directed towards Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa, who holds a significant role as Chair-in-Office of the Commonwealth. The association urges her to lead by example and swiftly eliminate the outdated provisions in the Crimes Act that hinder journalistic freedom. This call is echoed by JAWS, emphasizing that these laws only serve to silence the media.
The discussion around defamation laws is not new, as criminal libel laws were removed in Samoa back in 2013 but were reinstated in 2017. The critics of this legislation, including the Pacific Media Watch organization, characterize the charges against Keresoma as an attempt to stifle investigative journalism.
Highlighting international perspectives, a report from the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression has indicated that legal mechanisms like criminal defamation should only be employed under extraordinary circumstances and are remnants of colonial governance that should no longer be practiced in democratic societies.
The importance of this issue resonates with ongoing themes in the region, as organizations like the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) also advocate for journalistic freedom, showcasing a pattern of collective effort across the Pacific to uphold press freedoms during politically tense times. For instance, similar charges have arisen in Palau against a national newspaper’s editor, illustrating a broader struggle for media independence throughout the Pacific.
This call for action by the CJA and allied organizations presents a beacon of hope that reform could not only secure better protections for journalists in Samoa but also inspire other nations in the Pacific to reinforce democratic principles and media freedoms. Proactive measures by leadership figures in these discussions signal that positive change is both possible and necessary for the health of democracy in the region.
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