The Samoa Observer newspaper has been roundly criticised by a Pacific media freedom and standards organisation which says its "shameful" printing a graphic photo of the dead body of a transgender woman breaches common decency and media ethics. In its print edition the paper printed a front page photo of Jeanine Tuivaiki after what is increasingly being considered a suicide although officials such as the Samoan police have yet to comment publicly on the cause of death. “Publishing an uncensored photo of the dead woman breaches common decency, not just ethics,” says Pacific Freedom Forum Chair Titi Gabi in a statement released a few minutes ago. “That photo will have been seen on the front page by many children, and caused deep distress to her already traumatised friends and family.” Gabi says publication of the photo and the tone of the story shows a “shameful” failure of standards at the daily newspaper. The PFF has also noted that the paper, the largest news media outlet in Samoa, has been attacked for referring to Ms. Tuivaiki as a man. It reminds the paper's staff that transgender or “fa’afafine” women have long been an accepted part of Samoan culture Management at the Samoa Observer need to take a "good long look at themselves," Gabi says.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Monday, 20th June 2016 - 11:12am