Savea Sano Malifa
Encyclopedia
Savea Sano Malifa is a Samoan poet, journalist, newspaper editor, and publisher. He is the founder and Editor in Chief of the Samoa Observer
, the main newspaper in Samoa. He is the author of the novel Alms for Oblivion. The Pacific Islands News Association awarded him the Pacific Freedom of Information award for defending the right of the Samoan
people to freedom of information and expression. In 1998, he received the Commonwealth Press Union's Astor Award and INDEX on Censorship Press Freedom Award.
Savea, an outspoken critic of former Prime Minister Tofilau Eti Alesana
and his government, lost a civil claim over a story alleging the use of public funds to upgrade a hotel owned by Tofilau's children for a visit by Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex
. The Samoa Observer was ordered to pay $WS in court costs to Tofilau and $ damages for defamation.
In 1994, the printing plant of the Samoa Observer burned down under suspicious circumstances. It was later revealed during the investigation of the assassination of Minister
of Works
Luagalau Levaula Kamu
that Minister of Women's Affairs Leafa Vitale
, a former Minister of Works, had arranged the burning of the printing plant. Before the burning of the printing plant, the paper had run a story linking Leafa to a scandal involving the sale of cattle, after which the then Minister of Works had threatened to kill Savea and his family. Also, he was assaulted by the minister's brothers.
awards, along with veteran reporter Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia
, Malifa made appeals to the government to remove restrictions; they urged Prime Minister Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi
and Deputy Prime Minister Misa Telefoni to remove the Printing and Publishing Act, to try to force news media to reveal their sources of information and remove the criminal libel laws, which Autagavaia had described as a relic of the past.
Samoa Observer
The Samoa Observer is the largest newspaper group in Samoa published in both English and Samoan. The Samoa Observer is published Monday to Friday, the Weekend Observer on Saturdays and the Sunday Samoan on Sundays with all editions available online. Coverage includes local and international news,...
, the main newspaper in Samoa. He is the author of the novel Alms for Oblivion. The Pacific Islands News Association awarded him the Pacific Freedom of Information award for defending the right of the Samoan
Samoans
The Samoan people are a Polynesian ethnic group of the Samoan Islands, sharing genetics, language, history and culture. Due to colonialism, the home islands are politically and geographically divided between the country of Samoa, official name Independent State of Samoa ; and American Samoa, an...
people to freedom of information and expression. In 1998, he received the Commonwealth Press Union's Astor Award and INDEX on Censorship Press Freedom Award.
Savea, an outspoken critic of former Prime Minister Tofilau Eti Alesana
Tofilau Eti Alesana
Tofilau Eti Alesana, AC, born Aualamalefalelima Alesana, was a Samoan politician. He was born in Vaitogi, Tutuila, American Samoa to a Samoan upper-class parents, Reverend James Alesana Fai'ivae and Vaoita Iosefa Mala'itai...
and his government, lost a civil claim over a story alleging the use of public funds to upgrade a hotel owned by Tofilau's children for a visit by Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex
Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex
Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex KG GCVO is the third son and fourth child of Elizabeth II and The Duke of Edinburgh...
. The Samoa Observer was ordered to pay $WS in court costs to Tofilau and $ damages for defamation.
In 1994, the printing plant of the Samoa Observer burned down under suspicious circumstances. It was later revealed during the investigation of the assassination of Minister
Minister (government)
A minister is a politician who holds significant public office in a national or regional government. Senior ministers are members of the cabinet....
of Works
Public works
Public works are a broad category of projects, financed and constructed by the government, for recreational, employment, and health and safety uses in the greater community...
Luagalau Levaula Kamu
Luagalau Levaula Kamu
Luagalau Levaula Kamu was a lawyer and Minister of Public Works in Samoa, whose assassination shocked the Samoan and Pacific Islands community....
that Minister of Women's Affairs Leafa Vitale
Leafa Vitale
Leafa Vitale was a Minister of Works and Minister of Women's Affairs in Samoa, who along with Toi Aukuso, former Minister Minister of Post and Telecommunications, plotted the assassination of Samoan Minister of Public Works Luagalau Levaula Kamu in 1999....
, a former Minister of Works, had arranged the burning of the printing plant. Before the burning of the printing plant, the paper had run a story linking Leafa to a scandal involving the sale of cattle, after which the then Minister of Works had threatened to kill Savea and his family. Also, he was assaulted by the minister's brothers.
Appeal to remove media restrictions
During the 2004 World Press Freedom DayWorld Press Freedom Day
The United Nations General Assembly declared 3 May to be World Press Freedom Day to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of the press and remind governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression enshrined under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of...
awards, along with veteran reporter Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia
Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia
Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia is a journalist, the Samoan representative of Radio Polynesia and reporter and correspondent for Radio New Zealand International...
, Malifa made appeals to the government to remove restrictions; they urged Prime Minister Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi
Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi
Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi is a Samoan politician who has been Prime Minister of Samoa since 1998.-Biography:Born at Lepa, Samoa, Malielegaoi is an economist by profession...
and Deputy Prime Minister Misa Telefoni to remove the Printing and Publishing Act, to try to force news media to reveal their sources of information and remove the criminal libel laws, which Autagavaia had described as a relic of the past.