“COME PREPARED” – NEOC CHAIRMAN TO MEDIA
By: Joshua Lafoai
Chairman of the National Emergency Operation Center, (NEOC) Ulu Bismarck Crawley has urged media practitioners to invest their time in researching the policies that Government sectors abide by.
His comments scoped down the continuously raised issue of the Government somewhat withholding or tightly sealing the release of public information, calling it a malpractice on the part of the media.
“I urge the Media to provide clear sound accurate and timely reporting on government led and coordinated programs and paramount for the media to invest time to understand government reforms, policies and strategies,” said Ulu in his prepared remarks presented to the three day COVID19 Pacific Media Assistance Scheme, (PACMAS) workshop last week.
“The Communication and Information Sector Plan 2018 – 2021 for the information of the media and public promotes that interest for the engagement of media,” he added.
Ulu was addressing practices constantly performed by the media when approaching CEOs for questions and noting that majority of the time, the questions asked are very superficial.
“With broad sector outcomes, it guides stakeholders in the respective sector not to lose sight of reaching a common and shared destination mainstreamed to other sectors for all Samoans through the Samoa’s Development .Strategic plan,” he said.
“I suggest for the media to consider a strategy to’ accommodate all the 14 Sectors; Environment, infrastructure, health, education, and have teams to focus on each sector so there is consistency in understanding and reporting, Ulu continued.
“The role of the media cannot be questioned and we acknowledge it with great appreciation.
“Again, in order to get good engagement with clients, you have to understand and research them well. It doesn’t take away your independent position.”
The NEOC Chairman and also Chief Executive of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment shared a stage with a colleague leading the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Agafili Tomaimano Shem Leo.
The exercise brought together media and senior government officials to work together more effectively during a pandemic.
