Dear Editor,

I watched with disbelief the behaviour of senior journalist and owner of Newsline, Pio Sioa, during the recent Q&A session between journalists and the Prime Minister on Thursday. I couldn’t help but ask myself how far we’ve fallen in terms of journalistic neutrality, particularly given the current political situation in Samoa.

During the interview with the Hon. Prime Minister this week, Pio, an undeniable and outspoken supporter of the HRPP, revealed his true allegiance. His questioning of the Prime Minister about why she hadn’t called a snap election, using the phrase “malepelepe le malo,” struck me as highly inappropriate. His tone and manner of questioning, especially towards someone so rooted in Samoan culture, were rude and reflected a clear bias. It was evident that Pio was acting as a mouthpiece for the HRPP, rather than as a neutral journalist.

This moment reminded me of the time when Tuilaepa was in power. Back then, most journalists, including Pio, would never have dared to speak to him in such a manner during his weekly press conferences. Why? Because they were either afraid to ask the tough questions or, more likely because they were supporters of HRPP. Instead, they sat idly, seemingly unable to challenge him as he rambled on with his rhetoric.

However, with Fiame’s approach, we’ve seen a shift in how media interactions are conducted. She has opened the door to more open dialogue, providing journalists with the freedom to ask questions. That said, I hope that journalists understand that just because Fiame’s style is more approachable compared to Tuilaepa’s condescending approach, it doesn’t mean that we should abandon our cultural respect for our leaders. Pio, in my opinion, clearly crossed the line during the press conference, and I’m glad the Prime Minister put him in his place by requesting evidence to back up his claims.

Another thought crossed my mind: Would Pio have displayed the same attitude if it had been a man sitting in that chair? I don’t think so. We all saw the deference given to Tuilaepa during his time in office.

It’s not hard to spot media bias these days. Every night, one need only tune into TV1 news to see a clear, one-sided coverage, often seeking comments only from the HRPP leader without providing equal opportunity for others to respond. Where have the ethics of journalism gone?

I commend the Samoa Observer for holding our leaders accountable. They, along with Tipi Autagavaia, are the few media outlets that ask questions based on important issues, rather than political affiliations. This is something we also witnessed during Tuilaepa’s time when he resented the Samoa Observer for their fearless questioning.

I believe it’s time for JAWS to step in and address the behaviour of certain journalists. They cannot continue to remain silent. As for Pio, it is disappointing that, after years of working in the media, he still cannot separate his political connections from his professional role.

Faafetai

Concerned.