Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa has reaffirmed there are no restrictions placed on local and international media for covering the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2024. 

In response to concerns raised by Pacific media groups, the Prime Minister said the government and Commonwealth Secretariat are working closely to ensure the media can perform its role as a vital pillar of any democracy.

In doing so, the government and the Commonwealth Secretariat have taken every available measure to deliver a system allowing journalists to gather content, including through pools at the top of closed sessions and in fixed positions at events. 

“I would like to reaffirm there are no such restrictions on Samoa’s media or any visiting international media at Samoa CHOGM 2024,” assured Fiame. 

“As is usual at all CHOGMs, all media are required to go through the process of accreditation.

“As is also usual at all CHOGMs and due to the various security and logistical considerations of an event of this nature, media access at some venues will need to be more controlled and due to space constraints will be managed via escorted media pools. 

“This approach to managing capacity through pooling is a regular feature of the media environment around the world.”

Fiame was responding to a letter from the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) alongside the Pacific Freedom Forum (PFF) regarding media restrictions for CHOGM. 

The Pacific media groups sought the Prime Minister’s understanding and consideration in recognition of the importance of the Pacific media fraternity in telling their own Pacific stories “the way our people understand it”. 

Fiame replied in a letter dated 5 October clarifying media arrangements for CHOGM hosted by Samoa later this month. 

Also in recognition of the breadth and width of the Commonwealth and the shared commitment to upholding a strong Pacific lens at the forum, Fiame said there is a balance in media opportunities in media pools so that as many journalists can participate in the events. 

"The high-level meeting from 21 to 26 October will be a unique opportunity to profile Samoa, the Blue Pacific and our voices, experiences and perspectives on the global stage," she added.