Fiji, Oct. 5 -- The Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) stands with the Journalists Association of Samoa (JAWS) in raising concerns over the reported treatment of a Samoa Observer journalist while carrying out her professional duties at a public event.

According to the JAWS statement, the journalist's camera was removed and photographs taken in the course of her work were reportedly deleted.

This is concerning to PINA. Especially at a time when the governments of two of the largest countries in the Pacific have undergone a great transition from fearing the media in their countries, to being supportive in the national legislations they have in their countries, and acknowledging and helping to protect the media, and journalists as the...