Jasmine...Ms American Samoa coverage by numerous times? Have you read the samoanews since American Samoa Pagent was in its running phase? During the pagent we've only seen approximately 3 pictures from the pagent. We didn't even know the contestants until the samoanews release an issues (maybe) a week or few days before the pagent. This is first time Samoannews failed to meet their yearly standards of providing coverage about Ms. American Samoa Pagent. When the pagent was done and Ms. Lorisa Mata'utia was crowned as new Ms. American Samoa....that was the last we heard about this poor girl. And yes I completely agree with SAMOANEWS BEING BIAS! Even if MASI were unorganized this year, yet Samoanews should and must always do what they're design to do and that is to report. And please name one "other" media coverage that Ms. Mata'utia was even mentioned?...NOTHING!

Hmmmmm, photo was taken by our local reporter Tina Mataafa? She, herself, flew all the way to Mulinu'u, Samoa for this specific occasion? So, is this Tina Mataafa flying to Fiji to cover the Ms South Pacific, specifically Ms Samoa? Quite a predicament here, don't you think so Samoanews? With all the comments on this article and still not a note from the editor or who ever is responsible for approving these comments on any of them to at least provide an explanation on why there has been absolutely no coverage on our Ms American Samoa? It's kind of obvious when you report the same thing on the same individual, its all repetition, it gets old too.... [Editor's note:  Yes the reporter Mata'afa took the photo Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009 at Sails in Mulinu’u, Samoa. She was in Samoa covering a number of stories for SN.  As for the lack of coverage for Miss American Samoa, this was addressed in today's article entitled 'Just Asking..."  Here it is again:

JUST ASKING
Why is Samoa News covering Miss Samoa and yet has little or no news about Miss American Samoa and the Miss South Pacific Pageant?
SAMOA NEWS ANSWERS:
Samoa News has tried to set up an interview with Miss American Samoa over the last month, especially about her upcoming participation in The Miss South Pacific Pageant being held in Fiji — to no avail. We contacted Fiji Times, which out of courtesy from one news agency to another, sent us photos of Miss American Samoa’s arrival, as well as the other contestants (See Samoa News issue, Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009).
Miss Samoa, however granted us an interview, via telephone, from the Pago Pago International Airport (See Samoa News issue, Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009— page 8). Further, Samoa’s Tourism Authority (STA) notified media, including Samoa News, of the resignation of their Miss Samoa (see Community Briefs, Nov. 12, 2009 SN issue).
Miss Samoa, during her Samoa News interview, gave us the date of when she was leaving for the pageant. Through Fiji Times.com, Samoa News found that Miss American Samoa was to arrive in Fiji before Miss Samoa. Samoa News then contacted Fiji Times to see if we could get a photo of Miss American Samoa arriving in Fiji.
For our readers, we will be keeping in touch with Fiji Times to get news and photos of how Miss American Samoa is doing during the pageant events, as well as any photos of the event.
It should be noted Samoa News has received no contact, photos or press releases from the local organization that handles the Miss American Samoa schedule and events.]

Wow some very interesting and "surprising" commentary from the public. I think Samoanews is doing an excellent job as far as covering current events happening in American Samoa, Apia Samoa as well as the mainland. In my own opinion, I think the word BIAS should not be associated with Samoanews. I believe they are doing their job with reporting what is happening as far news in many areas, the pacific pageantry simply being one of them. Our newly crowned Miss American Samoa Laurissa Mata'utia’s current happenings have been reported by Samoanews numerous times. I find it a bit surprising and sad that some of our own people would feel disgruntled by this simple issue. Coverage for our Miss American Samoa had always been provided as such. Why would you one to start and spread hostility to one of your own? It is nice and a good gesture to find that the Miss Samoa is also acknowledged in our local newspaper. I am sure our own Miss American Samoa would be highlighted in other newspapers and media coverage in places outside of Samoa. Also I would like to respond to the one who commented about several MASI winners being residents of LEONE. I am a proud Moso’oipala & Fa’asaulala teine and I resent the one who sarcastically insulted the Leone village name. I was taught by my elders to be forgiving towards those who act insensibly and to also be helpful to them. So here’s a little advice I learned growing up in Leone &Vailoatai: “O Leone lava e a’oa’o ai amio lelei o tupulaga…tautala ma se ava…o le TUALA e sa le fo’i!” lol! But seriously, try to conduct yourself more appropriately and if you want to do name-calling then do state your name at the end of the joke ‘kay?=) I would simply like to congratulate both Miss American Samoa (Ms. Mata'utia) & Miss Samoa (Ms. Pomele) for being excellent role models for the people of Samoa-na-lua thus far. I wish you both the best of luck with upcoming Miss South Pacific Pageant in Fiji. Ieova tautai oulua ala ma ia oulua fa'amoemoe ia te ia mo mea uma! God be with you and may God be with Samoa-na-lua! Ma le fa’aaloalo tele, Jasmine Laumoli