By Tupuola Terry Tavita
EDITOR

A letter landed on our desk this week that raised a few eyebrows.

It was from Samoa Observer’s lawyer accusing this newspaper of failing to seek the Samoa Observer editor-in-chief’s opinion regarding a story we published a fortnight ago on the launch of the Afega book of by-laws. The
story was based on public comments – aired live on national radio and later that evening on national television- by Afega matai Maulolo Tavita Amosa, who was spokesperson for Afega village on the occasion.

We will not divulge the humdrum details of the 6-page letter as it touches on matters that may be prejudicial to other standing court cases, and, most likely will end up in court.

But from a media point of view, if it does go there, it’s a dog fight we would relish. Bring it on buddy.

Are you also going to sue Radio 2AP and TV1 which broadcast, in detail, Maulolo’s comments without seeking your opinion? Have you not been using your newspaper – and all that media power you wield – to unfairly
attack Maulolo and snub his opinion for years? Some of it blatantly racist and overly defamatory? We do not necessarily agree with him, but where is Maulolo’s right of opinion and fair comment in your newspaper? Why wasn’t any mention of Maulolo’s said comments ever published in your newspaper, despite a Samoa Observer reporter present throughout the occasion? Where’s your media ethics Sano?

Or does it only apply to others and not you? Or is it because since you own your own newspaper you have some unfettered license to attack those you do not like, publish opinions that are only to your taste, and shun others that are not?

Is it not ironic that you are now seeking justice from media laws that you criticized and wanted struck off for years. Media laws that protect people like you, me and Maulolo?

As a newsman Sano, you should not meddle with this publication’s freedom of speech. We will always find space on these pages for those, like Maulolo, we feel have been unfairly maligned by private media.

People who live in glass houses, may we remind, should not throw stones. And we have plenty of stones mate.

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