Dear Editor,

I recently read the article discussing the Prime Minister’s comments blaming Samoa’s decline in the World Press Freedom Index on the Samoa Observer. Those remarks were concerning because they seemed to reduce a complex and important issue down to the actions of a single newspaper, while overlooking the broader principles that press freedom is built upon.

Press freedom is one of the pillars of democracy. A nation cannot truly call itself free if journalists are punished, excluded, or silenced for asking difficult questions. But banning media outlets from press conferences while insisting press freedom still exists will always raise concerns. Healthy democracies are built on dialogue, scrutiny, and the ability to question those in power, EVEN when the questions are uncomfortable.

Like my mom always says, “Please don’t insult my intelligence.” (She usually says this when we’re trying to justify an action). People are not blind. When a media outlet is excluded while simultaneously being blamed for criticism of government, the public can see exactly what is happening. Leadership comes with scrutiny, accountability, and difficult questions. That is part of public service.

I did a little research on how the World Press Freedom Index rankings actually work, and they are not determined by one newspaper alone. Rankings are based on multiple factors including journalist safety, political pressure, media independence, access to information, censorship, legal threats, and the treatment of reporters and media outlets. So to blame an entire national ranking on one newspaper is not only misleading, it dismisses the very real concerns being raised about transparency and press freedom in Samoa.

If reporting is believed to be false, then challenge it openly with facts, transparency, and accountability. Excluding journalists only creates more distrust and more concern about abuse of power. The role of the media is not to make those in power comfortable. Its role is to ask questions, seek transparency, and hold leadership accountable on behalf of the people.

And if one newspaper makes those in power uncomfortable simply by asking difficult questions, then perhaps it is doing exactly what a free press is supposed to do.

Daphne T. Keil