Leadership Samoa visits Samoa Observer

By Ulimasao Fata 07 April 2018, 12:00AM

The 2018 intake of the Leadership Samoa programme visited the Samoa Observer at its Vaitele headquarters yesterday.

Led by the Chief Executive Officer of Leadership Samoa, Seumanu Douglas Ngau Chun, the group met with Samoa Observer Newspaper Group’s Editor, Mata’afa Keni Lesa.

He spoke about “The role and responsibilities of the Samoa Observer in maintaining good governance in our community.”

Mata’afa highlighted the importance of the media being a watchdog of the government, especially given the political climate in Samoa today where there is no official Opposition party in Parliament.

The Editor emphasized the importance of journalists not being afraid to ask the hard questions of their leaders. He added that one of the biggest challenges in the media landscape in Samoa today is finding quality journalists.

Members of the class joined the discussion. 

They asked questions ranging from the impact of the Government’s Criminal Libel law, the growth of social media and how Samoa Observer journalists deal with threats from the community when they report stories that upset people.

The Samoa Observer was one of the stops on the Class’s Media Tour. They also met with the Government’s Media unit including the Savali and Press Secretariat.  

Leadership Samoa offers a platform for emerging leaders to appreciate the bigger picture about the pressing development issues facing Samoa. 

The programme raises the awareness of emerging leaders about key political, economic, social, technological, environmental and cultural issues to ensure participants are well-informed Samoan leaders in the future.

Members of the class include:

Akeli Tuuano, Senior Finances Officer, Development Bank of Samoa, Charity Asora, Team Leader Loan and Management Unit, Bank South Pacific, Eline Salevao, Clerk Assistant Research Officer, Office of the Legislative Assembly, Faavaeolenuu Peniamina Tuisuga, Principal Finance Officer, Office of the Legislative Assembly, Frederick Daniel Ah To, Assistant Corporate Finance Manager, British American Tobacco, Georgina Andersen, Personal Banking Manager, Bank South Pacific, Jordanna Mareko, Communications Officer, Civil Society Support Programme, Mandy Fialogo Rose Skelton-Keil, Principal Policy and Planning Officer, Ministry of Police, Maranatahana Sulusi, Senior Human Resources Administration Officer, National Health Services, Matagofieolefaaolataga Alofaga, Registered Nurse, National Health Services, Matthew Amituanai, Specialist Physiotherapist, National Health Services, Melape Pelesa, Senior Loans Officer, Development Bank of Samoa, Poutasi Kamuta Seuseu, Principal Mobility Officer, National Health Services, Sia Mini Seumanutafa, Samoa National Youth Council , Tapu Iemaima Gabriel, Head of Department, National University of Samoa, Taualogomai Tapulaaia Roebeck, Editor / Producer, Samoa Quality Broadcasting Ltd, Tuna Bryce Viali, Principal Human Resources Officer, Samoa Sports Facilities Authority, Tusiga Taofiga, Savali Newspaper / Nuanua o le Alofa, Victory Leavai, Manager Finance and Administration, Samoa Quality Broadcasting Ltd and Sam Kun Wai You, Manager Operations, ELNA Consults.

By Ulimasao Fata 07 April 2018, 12:00AM

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