Australia is supporting Samoa and the region’s media professionals through the delivery of mobile journalism (MOJO) training which was undertaken last week. 

Through the Australian government’s Pacific Media Assistance Scheme (PACMAS), a team from ABC International Development (ABCID) travelled to Samoa to deliver the MOJO training to the Samoa Government's broadcasting services, Radio 2AP and TV9, as well as the members of the Journalists Association of Samoa (JAWS) according to a media release issued by the Australian High Commission in Apia last Friday.

The A.H.C. was pleased to join 2AP and TV9 for the first day of the MOJO training and also handed over a journalism kit to support their work where the Australian High Commission’s Second Secretary, Thomas Hayes also spoke about Australia’s commitment to supporting strong and independent journalism across the region.

“What underpins Australia’s long history of support for the media sector in Samoa and the Pacific, is our shared belief that a strong and independent media sector is essential for thriving democracies,” he said.

Mr. Hayes also highlighted the long and proud history of the 2AP in delivering news to Samoa’s people, as well as being the gold standard in broadcasting official information in times of crisis and disasters.

Misa Victoria Lepou, the Assistant Chief Executive Officer for the Broadcasting Services Division under the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, thanked the PACMAS and the ABCID team for their support.

"As Samoa's oldest broadcaster, we are grateful to the continued support of ABC International Development and PACMAS for always being the backbone of supporting our work," she said. "This kit surely will keep our team mobile in producing more community stories.  

"It is a user-friendly kit that I hope will keep the staff motivated and realise the importance of a multidisciplinary approach."

Lagi Keresoma, the JAWS President, highlighted the importance of the MOJO training for local media professionals in Samoa.

“We recognise the increasingly evolving ways in which people consume news and media in the digital era," said Ms. Keresoma. "As journalists, we need to adapt and be responsive in how we deliver information, and this training will certainly support our work in maintaining a robust and effective media sector." 

The PACMAS is funded by the Australian government and managed by the ABCID.  It aims to support the development of a diverse, professional and independent media sector in the Pacific, as well as creating opportunities for Australian and Pacific journalists to learn from one another.