Latest news with #LagiKeresoma
RNZ News
22-05-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Legal academic says Samoa's criminal libel law should go
Lagi Keresoma is the first female president of the Journalist Association of Samoa. Photo: Screengrab / Facebook / Pacific Media Assistance Scheme An Auckland University law academic says the criminal libel law under which a prominent Samoan journalist has been charged should be repealed. Lagi Keresoma Keresoma, a senior journalist for Talamua Media, was charged under the Crimes Act 2013 on Sunday after publishing an article about a former police officer, whom she asserted had sought the help of the Head of State to withdraw charges brought against him. "A person who commits a crime under this section is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding 175 penalty units or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months," the Crimes Act states. The Journalists Association of Samoa (JAWS) has already called for the criminal libel law to be scrapped. It said this week that the law, specifically Section 117A of the Crimes Act, undermines media freedom, and any defamation issues can be dealt with in a civil court. JAWS gender representative to the International Federation of Journalists said Keresoma's arrest "raises serious concerns about the misuse of legal tools to independent journalism" in the country. Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson called on the Samoan government "to urgently review and repeal criminal defamation laws that undermine democratic accountability and public trust in the justice system". The law was removed by the Samoan government in 2013, but was brought back in 2017, ostensibly to deal with issues arising on social media. Beatrice Tabangcora Photo: University of Auckland Auckland University's Beatrice Tabangcoro told RNZ Pacific that this reintroduction was widely criticised at the time for its potential impact on freedom of speech and media freedom. She said that truth is a defence to the offence of false statement causing harm to reputation, but in the case of a journalist this can lead to them being compelled to reveal their sources. The academic said that the law remains unnecessary and impractical, and she pointed to the Samoa Police Commissioner telling media in 2023 that the law should be repealed as it is used "as a tool for harassing the media and is a waste of police resources". Tonga and Vanuatu are two other Pacific nations with the criminal libel law on their books, and it is something the media in both those countries have raised concerns about.
RNZ News
20-05-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Samoa press group calls for repeal of criminal libel laws after journalist charged
Lagi Keresoma is the first female president of the Journalist Association of Samoa. Photo: Screengrab / Facebook / Pacific Media Assistance Scheme The Journalists Association of Samoa (JAWS) wants the country to repeal its criminal libel laws. This comes after the association's president, a veteran Samoan journalist Lagi Keresoma, was charged by police under the law on Sunday. Keresoma, a senior journalist for Talamua Media, is facing one count of defamation. The complaint was lodged by a former police officer in relationg to an article she wrote on 1 May. In the article, she reported that a former police officer was seeking assistance from the Head of State to have charges against him withdrawn. The former officer is currently facing two charges of forgery related to a loan application, which he has denied. His case is pending in the Supreme Court. In a statement, JAWS said it stands in full solidarity with Keresoma, who is facing charges under the Crimes Act 2013. It said Section 117A of the Crimes Act should not be used to silence journalists and discourage investigative reporting. It said it is deeply concerning that Keresoma's integrity and professionalism are being prosecuted under a law that has long been criticised for its negative effect on media freedom. It is also calling for Section 117A to be repealed and for Samoa to return to a legal framework that protects press freedom and resolves defamation through civil remedies. JAWS said it stands with Keresoma and affirms her right to report freely and without fear of criminal prosecution.
