Samoa opposition leader tries to get views on national radio

Tuiatua denies all the claims made by Prime Minister Tofilau and
Deputy Prime Minister Tuilaepa. He says that, rather than
continuing a pointless debate, he has instructed a lawyer from
New Zealand to begin legal proceedings on his behalf. He says he
has been unable to get his views on Radio 2AP for the past three
years.

Tofilau's government currently faces public pressure over the
cost of living and allegations of corruption. On 30 October, an
estimated 5000 protesters marched through Apia calling for the
government to resign. The government, which is Samoa's major
employer, instructed government employees not to take part.

Government-run radio stations are still a leading source of
information for many Pacific Islands people, especially those in
rural areas. PINA has frequently expressed concern at political
interference in or control of the news and public affairs
programmes of some of these broadcasters. It has stressed that
these stations are mainly publicly funded or heavily subsidised
by the taxpayers. They are supposed to be "public" broadcasters
serving all the people and not just those politicians in power,
PINA said.

Samoa was previously known as Western Samoa. Neighbouring islands
which are American territory are known as American Samoa.

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Send appeals to authorities:

The Honourable Tofilau Eti Alesana
Prime Minister of Samoa
Fax: +685 21504