The head of the country’s oldest national radio station 2AP says the rejection of several public notices from a political party for broadcasting was an "impartial decision". 

The Chief Executive Officer for the Ministry of Communications Information and Technology, Lefaoalii Unutoa Auelua-Fonoti confirmed her decision to reject public notices for the Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P.). 

She denied the decision to do so was “neither influenced by any political affiliation nor any other figure as you had presumed”.

“I would like to reiterate that 2AP’s content will always be independent and ensure that editorial decisions are not improperly influenced by political, sectional, commercial or personal interests,” she said in response to questions from the Samoa Observer. “Our mandate also is to provide the services of the Government of Samoa by disseminating information of national events, activities, emergency preparedness and response and policies for the people of Samoa. 

“It was an impartial decision to ensure that we are committed to maintaining our independence.”  

Lefaoalii noted that the Broadcasting Services Division – under which Radio 2AP and TV9 are housed – also respects the Media Code of Practices 2017 “to uphold high ethical standards within media organisation”. 

She said every media organisation is duty-bound to operate by these standards, depending on their mission and vision of who they serve. 

However, the decision by the C.E.O. was criticised by the H.R.P.P. party secretary, Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi who accused the head of politicising the radio station’s services and not being impartial. 

He said the radio station is there to serve the people and is funded by taxpayers. 

“We used to use the radio station when we were previously in opposition and it was always opened,” said the party secretary. “She is now rejecting our notice and it was a general announcement for our candidates in the upcoming by-elections. 

“She is not being impartial and her actions are a bad reflection of the Government and the role of the media which should be independent…this is undemocratic and against all values of good governance.” 

The H.R.P.P. made payments for their public notices to be aired on the 2AP radio station which was accepted by staff but was later rejected and had the cheque returned upon direction from the C.E.O. 

It was not possible to obtain comments from the Minister of M.C.I.T., Toelupe Poumulinuku Onesemo. 

A veteran journalist and Radio New Zealand correspondent, Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia told this newspaper that public-funded media should allow any political party to have access to their service and not reject the party's public notices. 

He said the public notice should only be rejected if the wording of the notices breached the Media Code of Practice. 

“The Code of Practice was put together when the Opposition party was in Government,” he said. “The code says that political parties have equal access to Government funded media…this is in breached of that and if the opposition party has a complaint they can file with Media Council and that is the process they can take.” 

A broadcaster for more than 30 years Autagavaia added the media outlet should allow people or any party to use its services and not serve a particular party or be influenced by politics.