(Photo: TVNZ)by Vinepa Aiono
So Barbara Dreaver must (if many on the Pacific media jury panel have their way) now bear the shame for shoddy journalism following the Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA )decision that a TVNZ report by Dreaver in April 2009 that portrayed Samoa as a nation of gun smugglers, rife with gang violence and a truly flourishing but illegal drug trade was grossly inaccurate and failed to offer a balanced view on the issue that now seems to have been a non issue. Some media sources in Samoa have already ditched Dreaver into the 'Pacific Ocean' for drawing negative attention to the island nation that had the potential to spoil the growth of tourism in Samoa. An article in the Samoa Observer by Dr Amosa in April 2009 described Dreavers report as a "case of lies and deceit." A rather harsh description of Dreaver's news item but perhaps justified given the findings of the BSA. And rightly so it was that the Samoan government filed a complaint with the NZ BSA over the inaccuracy of information gathered from what appears to have been from spurious sources sought by Dreaver an employee of TVNZ, to bring together the news item for public viewing. I have skimmed through the 30 page adjudication and the key findings are focussed largely upon the failure of TVNZ to uphold an even balance and accuracy on the topic. TVNZ is also required to make a public apology and make specific payments for costs to the Crown and Samoan government.
Is Dreaver guilty of poor journalism? Yes in this instance I believe so - but she also has 19 years of worthy reporting of the Pacific under her belt. At a time when many Pacific journalists were focussed solely upon reporting about politically safe - left issues in the local community, Dreaver was already getting down and dirty with seeking the truth. We remember the baby smuggling in Samoa, Dreaver throwing light on the vigilante movements in various parts of the Pacific, expulsion from Fiji and only last week reporting on TVNZ's donation of equipment for TV stations in Samoa, Cook Islands and Tonga.
Dreaver made a mistake, perhaps TVNZ put too much faith in her journalistic dealings with Pacific communities. We make mistakes. But we move on. Dreaver will recover and shall continue to tackle the difficult stories. She will become better. Not invincible. She's human. I look forward to more great journalism from Barbara Dreaver in and of the Pacific.
