The fear of doing right is the grand treason in times of danger - Henry Ward Beecher

It is dangerous that the police believe they have the power to stop a reporter from doing his job, to take photos of an event that he thinks is newsworthy.

Which raises a further question: Does the law really give the police the power to stop a reporter from exercising his constitutional right to collect and disseminate information and take photographs?

We know the Hon. Prime Minister has indicated he does not want his photo taken without his permission, but, with respect, we suggest that Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt, the private citizen, may have the right to refuse his photo being taken, but Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt, the Prime Minister of the Independent State of Samoa, has no such option.

Again, with respect, we assert that not obeying the prime minster is not a treasonous behaviour as we are not participating in a war against our country, Samoa, nor are we trying to overthrow its government; spying on its non-existing military, its diplomats, its officials, or its secret services for a hostile foreign power or attempting to remove the head of state.

In brief, we are not committing any treasonous behaviour.

What we are doing is exercising the rights and responsibilities of journalists. The public has the right to information and as journalists we have the duty to provide that information to respect truth, defend free expression, report facts accurately, and maintain professional standards. Our key responsibilities include not suppressing or altering information, respecting privacy, and rectifying inaccuracies.

Ia manuia lava le vaiaso fou.