Empowering media in Samoa was one of the topics discussed as the British High Commission Head of Communications Hazel Gidley paid a visit to the Samoa Observer on Monday.

Mrs. Gidley met with the publisher of Samoa Observer, Muliagatele Jean Malifa and senior members of the editorial team in a casual conversation about the role of media and how the High Commission could help.

As usual, the publisher was quick to highlight the role Samoa Observer played in Samoa as a watchdog keeping the Government and other authorities accountable for their action and pressing for more transparency from the government.

World Press Freedom Day which would be celebrated on May 3 was one of the topics discussed and the importance of a free press in Samoa was discussed as well.

The upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, CHOGM was also discussed. Mrs. Gidley was particularly impressed with the humble beginning of the newspaper and how it has survived the test of time.