AUCKLAND (Pacific Media Watch): Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sa'ilele Malielegaoi says allowing for freedom of expression is an essential component of good leadership.
Speaking at the Lowy Institute conference in Auckland yesterday, as part of the lead up to the Pacific Islands Forum, Tuilaepa told the delegates that his government had a recent clear record of protecting freedom of expression as well as other “fundamental human rights”.
Tuilaepa said governments did not always get it right.
“No government can be right all the time and only God is omniscient,” he said.
He said freedom of expression was necessary for all, “especially if a mistake of miscarriage of justice has occurred”.
The Prime Minister was addressing a conference session on leadership in the Pacific and argued for higher levels of accountability and transparency in not only Pacific governments but all organisations.
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Alex Perrottet
