Savea Sano Malifa ''
OM'' (also known as Fata Sano Malifa) is a Samoan poet, journalist, newspaper editor, and publisher. He is the founder and editor-in-chief of the ''
Samoa Observer
The ''Samoa Observer'' is the largest newspaper group in Samoa published in both English and Samoan. The ''Samoa Observer'' is published Monday to Friday, the ''Weekend Observer'' on Saturdays and the ''Sunday Samoan'' on Sundays with all editi ...
'', the main newspaper in Samoa.
He is the author of the novel ''Alms for Oblivion.'' The Pacific Islands News Association awarded him the Pacific Freedom of Information award for defending the right of the
Samoan people to freedom of information and expression. In 1998, he received the
Commonwealth Press Union's Astor Award and
Index on Censorship's Press Freedom Award.
Savea, an outspoken critic of former Prime Minister
Tofilau Eti Alesana and his government, lost a civil claim over a story alleging the use of public funds to upgrade a hotel owned by Tofilau's children for a visit by
Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex. The Samoa Observer was ordered to pay $WS in court costs to Tofilau and $ damages for defamation.
Appeal to remove media restrictions
During the 2004
World Press Freedom Day
The United Nations General Assembly declared May 3 to be World Press Freedom Day or just World Press Day, observed to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of the press and remind governments of their duty to respect and uphold the righ ...
awards, along with veteran reporter
Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia, Malifa made appeals to the government to remove restrictions; they urged Prime Minister
Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi and Deputy Prime Minister
Misa Telefoni to remove the
Printing and Publishing Act, to try to force news media to reveal their sources of information and remove the criminal libel laws, which Autagavaia had described as a relic of the past.
Recognition
In 2000, Malifa was named as one of the
International Press Institute
International Press Institute (IPI) is a global organisation dedicated to the promotion and protection of press freedom and the improvement of journalism practices. The institution was founded by 34 editors from 15 countries at Columbia University ...
's 50
World Press Freedom Heroes
International Press Institute World Press Freedom Heroes are individuals who have been recognized by the Vienna-based International Press Institute for "significant contributions to the maintenance of press freedom and freedom of expression" and "i ...
of the past 50 years.
Malifa was appointed to the
Order of Merit of Samoa in the
2014 Samoa Honours and Awards.
References
External links
International Press Institute
{{DEFAULTSORT:Malifa, Savea Sano
Living people
Samoan journalists
Samoan writers
Year of birth missing (living people)
Members of the Order of Merit of Samoa