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Vice Speaker voices complaints about media coverage

Vice Speaker, Fetu Fetui Jr shaking hands with Rep. Sataua Dr. Mataese Samuelu during a fono session last year.
ausage@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Vice Speaker, Fetu Fetui Jr has voiced his disappointment with the way KHJ Radio has carried out its news coverage for the House of Representatives. Fetu's comments were made this week during House announcements.

He said he listens to the news on KHJ everyday and he's come to the conclusion that their news coverage is biased.

“As you all know, there are a lot of essential issues raised by all of the faipule inside this chamber almost everyday; but if you listen to the news on the radio, they only air issues raised by Sanitoa and Andra - almost everyday,” Fetu said.

(Rep. Larry Sanitoa is one of two faipule from Tualauta while Rep. Andra Samoa represents Fofo District)

Fetu said this is very sad because he works hard to raise good issues for the betterment of the people, but it seems like the news coverage by the radio station only delivers issues raised by two faipule, instead of the whole House of Representatives.

He said if this is how the radio station conducts its news coverage for the House, something needs to be done to stop it.

House Speaker, Savali Talavou Ale said the media should not take advantage of the freedom of press they have, to voice only issues they want, instead of providing fair coverage on what was said during the House sessions or hearings.

He then warned his fellow lawmakers that the Fono is not guided by news from the newspaper or the radio station.

“Your job is to inform the public of facts and accurate information of what is going on here in the Fono. Remember that you are the voice of everyone, not a few of them,” Savali said.