Samoa Broadcasting Corporation Ltd TV1 has won an international broadcasting award for their coverage of the 2019 measles outbreak.

The local broadcaster has been named the recipient of an award by the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union’s Asia Vision Network for their coverage of the measles outbreak.

The TV Chief Executive Officer, Galumalemana Faiesea Matafeo, said they are humbled to be a recipient of the award.

“It is an honour to be recognised internationally for our humble service not only to the people of Samoa but also to the region and the rest of the world especially in covering issues that affect lives,” said Galumalemana.

In a statement issued by the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union’s Asia Vision Network, each month there is strong competition for the Asiavision award for the best news story or series of stories, which are uploaded onto the online video platform Brightcove with several of their s vying for the top honours. 

“In December, we were thrilled to honour two Members for the very first time: S.B.C.L./TV1 in Samoa and M.R.T.V. in Myanmar who jointly won the prize.

“In Samoa, a measles epidemic killed 79 children and infected more than 5,000 as a state of emergency was declared along with a curfew and a nationwide vaccination campaign. 

"Even though their own families were affected, TV1’s small newsroom provided impressive coverage of [the] health crisis.” 

Galumalemana told the Samoa Observer in an interview that the award was for the stories they produced on the measles epidemic that affected Samoa towards the end of 2019 and early 2020.

“The stories we filed in ABU’s Asia Vision Network has been picked up by many other countries also facing immunisation issues,’ she said. “It is humbling to know that our stories are making a difference. 

"I am proud of our hard working news team who are able to produce news services for broadcast on both radio and television six days a week.” 

Established in 1993 the S.B.C.L. newsroom is led by senior journalist Jack Seumanutafa. 

In a video conference when announcing the award, Seumanutafa thanked the Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union and the Asia Vision.

"I would like to convey our heartfelt appreciation to the Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union and the Asia Vision in acceptance of our Asiavision annual award,” he added. “It is a true honor for us to be a recipient of the 2020 Asiavision award. 

“This award serves as the light at last year’s tunnel of uncertainty caused by COVID-19 that we all have had to come together as a global community.

“We are truly grateful for this award as it will be a beacon of light to show us the way as we paddle our canoe on this new journey that is 2021.”