FRIDAY, 3 MAY 2024 @ 5PM @ STA FALE
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
Talofa lava! Tonight is a very special occasion for Samoa’s media fraternity as we join the global commemoration of World Press Freedom Day proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993 premised on the Recommendation of UNESCO’s General Conference.
Every year on 3rd May, the world assembles to celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom, take stock of freedom of expression around the world, and pay tribute to journalists who have faced abuse and, in some countries, lost their lives in the exercise of their profession.
As the Fourth Estate, Government values the media’s pivotal role in the dissemination of factual information for a better-informed Samoa and enabling informed decision making.
The theme for today’s celebration is “Press for the Planet J- Journalism in the face of Environmental Crisis: Through the media and their work, people come to understand the plight of our planet and are mobilized and empowered to take action for change. The media’s role extends beyond reporting; it shapes public discourse and influences action. As we face the current climate emergency, responsible journalism can be a powerful force for good.
I would be remiss in failing to acknowledge the contribution by our media practitioners for a job well done.
We applaud your services but by the same token we also urge all of you here and abroad not to be complacent in performing your duties as articulated in the Media Code of Ethics and Code of Practice. There is a need to assure that the principles and ethics of a free and impartial independent media is not compromised for financial and personal gains.
Press freedom is at the crossroads with the entrance of the universal social on-line media associated with the disruptive power of artificial intelligence. The implications for the reliability of information, and the sustainability of the mainstream media are likely to be profound in a year that is focused on critical post COVID-19 Recovery for the entire globe.
Against that background – and with projections that the vast majority of all internet content will be synthetically produced by 2026 – journalists and news organisations will need to rethink their role and purpose with some urgency.
On that note, let me close by wishing you all; the Samoa’s Media Fraternity, the Journalists Association of Samoa a memorable and peaceful World Press Freedom Day.
Soifua.
Ata Pu’eina – Government of Samoa (Jasmine Netzler-Iose)
