The Commonwealth Secretariat has clarified media arrangements for accredited journalists for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). 

It is quite different from what the Samoan Government Media and Communication sub-committee had said earlier on. This is also the first time the Secretariat has said something about the issue hindering the freedom of the press.

Leaders from the Commonwealth's 56 member countries will meet in October to reaffirm their common values, collaborate, and agree actions and policies to improve the lives of all their citizens. 

In a press statement, the Commonwealth Secretariat said the official opening of CHOGM takes place on Friday 25 October and will be preceded by high-level ministerial meetings, forums, and side events, between Monday 21 October and Thursday 24 October. 

There will be a Leaders' Retreat and closing press conference on Saturday 26 October.

“High-level sessions and ministerial meetings at CHOGM take place behind closed doors; however, there will be pool opportunities for media at the start of sessions,” said the Commonwealth Secretariat. 

Media access to the official Opening Ceremony will be restricted to an accompanied media pool determined by regional representation noting space is very limited at the event venue. 

“Media pools at CHOGM are the responsibility of the Commonwealth Secretariat, managed through a central system supported by Secretariat staff and the Host Government (the Government of Samoa) taskforce.

“Pool size will be determined by venue size and security factors. We will endeavour to make them as large as possible.” 

In terms of representation, to ensure media from all member countries are given fair access, the pool system is designed to be as representative as possible of regions, countries, broadcasters and agencies. 

In practice, this means that if space is limited, member states or even regions may only receive one pool space in a particular pool, said Commonwealth Secretariat. 

“A list of each pooled CHOGM event will be made available at the Media Centre reception desk from Sunday 20 October, when the Media Centre opens. 

“Journalists are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Once pools are decided and closed, journalists will be notified if they are part of the pool, or not.”  

The Commonwealth Secretariat said media will be transported and escorted by staff to and from each pool session. 

Media who participate in pools are required to hand over their footage to the pool manager immediately on their return to the Media Centre for download and onward sharing. 

This is a condition of being accepted into a pool, the statement added.

The Host Broadcaster for CHOGM is TV9 and Radio 2AP. The Host Government has also appointed MMG Communications to film all open events. 

According to the Secretariat the material will be made available to all accredited CHOGM journalists and outlets without restrictions; however, footage must be credited to TV9 and Radio 2AP. 

Following the Opening Ceremony, leaders will gather for an official group photograph which will be taken by the Official Photographer. 

In addition, there will be provision for a representative pool of photographers. 

The Host Government will have an official photographer and videographer at all open events.