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Media council to be set up in Samoa

Journalists in Samoa have agreed to set up a media council but they recommend the council be self-regulated without any involvement by the government or other politicians.A decision to finally set up the body was reached at a meeting on Wednesday attended by the Journalists Association of Samoa and other media representatives.That follows the prime minister’s directive to the Law Reform Commission to review the need for such a body to investigate complaints against the media.At the meeting, representatives also recommended the Commission consider removing the Publishers and Printers Act, which threatens press freedom, and to also introduce Freedom of Information legislation.Senior journalists and media practitioners also suggested the government abolish anti media laws as a compromise for their decision to establish the council.Meanwhile, a leading newspapers has maintained its objection to setting up the media council.