Any journalist with an ounce of intelligence will tell you that one of the main objectives of the media is to inform its readers, viewers or listeners.
That’s the fundamental principle which keeps news outlets in business, it is the core of the fourth estate, the fuel that keeps that democratic wheel well oiled.
You see, informing ones citizens, which is synonymous for freedom of expression is the foundation of any democratic state, any democratic institution, organization or community.
As an informant, Journalists are sometimes known as agents of change, as those who can inadvertently make a difference in society through the relay of information and creating awareness of societal problems, misfortunes and possible improvements.
It is therefore, without seeming arrogant, the responsibility of a Journalist to ensure that such an important factor of democracy, freedom of expression is exercised, but never at the expense of the citizens we serve to inform.
The story of Baby Miracle and how one media organization allegedly withheld vital information for the sake of an exclusive story is the tipping point of the utter misuse of media power.
The story of Baby Miracle herself should be used as a case study for Unethical Journalism in any country.
I have but only observed the story as a reader, and from what has been observed, the media in Samoa has consistently put news over matter, sensationalism over realism in this case.
Perhaps some readers may appreciate it, but displaying the face of the severely deformed baby in the media is an attack on human life itself, the constant display of the childs involuntary physical deformities seems a cheap and unashamed attempt at sensationalism.
Those asked about the use of the babies photo agreed that it was inappropriate and insensitive of the media to constantly use the misfortune of one family to sell news.
“This is a clear violation of the rights of the child,” said a local social worker.
“I can see why the media would report on the story, but I don’t see why they would use images of the baby in this case,” she said.
The social worker was adamant that nothing would be achieved by the use of the babies images and footage on screen.
So after all the media hype, the charity work and the fundraising, Baby Miracle is still sleeping in the same bed she was brought home to, the path that leads to her house is still off the beaten track, and the horse that stands by the side of the house is still doing its job in the garden.
Nothing has changed.
The fourth estate has failed to make a difference in her case.
It is therefore fair to ask, what did the media hope to achieve from this?
Why did the media choose to obsess over this one child?
Every day, a child under the Early Intervention programme and a student at Loto Taumafai, and at Senese wakes up to face the world with deformities and the disabilities they have, but does the media report them? No.
Some of the children under these programmes have physical and intellectual disabilities far more severe than those Miracle was born with.
Some never live to see their tenth year.
Parents take care of their children knowing they will pass within years of their birth.
With the assistance of schools and programmes set in place to assist them, these children lead as normal a life as they are capable of leading.
But unfortunate for Baby Miracle, her very young life has been bombarded by unfair and insensitive demands of not just the media, but charities, churches and those with special interests in the child.
It will take thousands of dollars and years of corrective surgery, all at a risk, before the deformities of Baby Miracle can somehow be minimized, but it’s all by chance and according to one surgeon, she needs to grow before she can be operated on and with every growth spurt is a new operation.
“There is a rule of ten that such cases must observe, whereby we wait until she is ten months old, ten kilos, and with a hemoglobin level of ten can be recorded before and substantial corrective surgery can be conducted,” the Surgeon told Newsline.
Meanwhile while all this hype is directed a case that is uncertain and at this point need minimal surgical attention and more of monitoring attention, there are hundreds of Samoan children with both physical and intellectual disabilities requiring attention not just in school but in their homes which will guarantee an improvement in their daily lives.
So Journalists, as informants of the public have a great responsibility not just to be fair in reporting but to respect the rights of those that read, view and listen to what we produce, there is a very thin line between what is news worthy and what is truly insensitive.
With this realization, no further images of Baby Miracle will be used in this newspaper as long as we have a choice.
The media exists solely to inform and educate, having pictures of Baby Miracle is neither informing nor educating, only demeaning the life of a baby who does not have a say.
Lets give Baby Miracle room to breathe.
Thank you written by Samoan Fella,
February 06, 2008
Thank you for putting this story out and bringing it back to perspective. I was concerned the first time I saw this story on TV3 here in New Zealand because of the blatant and unashamed request for money. This money asking continues with even a letter of thanks and encouragement supposedly from the child.......at this website http://babymiracle.co.nz
Thousands of dollars have been raised here in New Zealand by a trust set up by Taufau Gardenia Aukuso. It is gifted money and she keeps the books closed from interested parties...why?
My understanding is that nothing much has changed for the child or the family. That is not good enough! If anything the load could be lightened for the family significantly and or blessing could be bestowed to the family in many forms but thanks to people like Taufau Gardenia Aukuso who make it their role as savior and "controller"
What happens to all the money if Baby passes away? is only one of the scenarios! Is it Baby Miracles fund that pays for Taufau Gardenia Aukuso airfares and such who knows?....With all the other charities helping out and donating services and resources I see only Taufau Gardenia Aukuso as the one asking for money.
Here's the catch that caught me!........There is no such Charitible Trust established in New Zealand only a Westpac account: Account name: Baby Miracle Appeal Account Account No: 03 0173 0573333 000 and donation outlets: Plastic Box in Manukau, Auckland. Phone 09 262 1098, Wholesale Autos in Papatoetoe, Auckland. Phone 09 276 6699 Pacific Ezy Money Transfer in Otahuhu, Auckland. Phone 09 276 7974 Pacific Ezy Lending Lincoln Road, Henderson, Auckland. Phone 09 835 2348
So ..... Any questions?
Response: Miraculous misuse of power written by Iemina Afoa,
February 06, 2008
Brovo zulu to the author of the article above for the brave representation of most of us who read about Miracle. I am in total agreement with you that her photo should have been kept a secret from the get go. However, I wish you didn't touch on whether or not Miracle needs medical care towards the end of your agument. The overseas physicians that have already diagnosed and prognosed Miracle based their medical opinion solely on history and photos alone; Miracle still deserves a wholy physical examination by doctors overseas as one of the requirements of her medical evaluation. A prognosis after a physical examination in addition to the history would be more satisfactory to me. While a complete physical examintion may not help Miracle's general appearance, it absolutely will reveal more medical information for the immediate family's awareness. Additionally, you and I might learn a thing or two about Medical vs Miracles after a complete medical evaluation of baby Miracle.
... written by GC,
February 06, 2008
"Medical vs Miracles"
Iemina Afoa, what is that supposed to mean? There are no such things as miracles. If medicine doesn't cure baby Miracle, a miracle would? What excatly goes for a miracle these days?
Oh I know, ignorance. Good ignorance = " I dont know" Bad ignorance= " A miracle"
Yall need to pray for Miracle and stop your nonsense! written by Sosefina.J.K,
February 07, 2008
Yall people are so gossip devils! So what if she didn't bring Miracles story to your eyes? Will you know? Would baby Miracle be in your faces now? I myself and my family went to the Westpac Bank to donate and we asked for baby Miracles Trust, and our $50 was banked in straight away. Why don't you people go to the bank and ask them? This is why our people are known of! Too much talk and can't do anything. Yall start gossiping and talk about the poor woman, but here is myself and my family saluting her with their work and everything that has been done. I bet you people only donated $5 or nothing at all, and here you are talking. Why don't you ask the lady of the Thorn Ministries if she has contacted Gardenia about the funds. And if you read some other articles, they clearly say that the reason why the US Embassy in Apia grant the visas was because they were given confirmation of the funds in New Zealand and also by TV3 in Samoa, and that they will be used for Miracles treatments. We our family salute these tv stations for all that they've done and may God continue with his blessings upon you. And for yous that have started to talk with no sense above, Go Pray for Miracle and do something first before you talk. Actions speak louder than words!!
GC: Here's why written by Eye-Aye,
February 07, 2008
You are entitle to your opinion and I respect that. Just don't understand how "ignorance" is related to mine. Perhaps you need to go to webmd.com and many other resources for more information on miracle and medical. Because you have a different cut on things doesn't mean your way is it.
baby Miracle, loto leaga pipos, bad journalism, fia poko journalist and doctors guinea pig written by Popo Uli,
February 08, 2008
Where should I start from? Well lets put it this way, Baby Miracle was born in Samoa and yet NONE of the journalists in Samoa covered the story not even Cherelle Jackson . It was only brought to light when a TV Samoa in New Zealand aired the story. If the so called intelligent journalist above knows what an investigative reporter is, she should have got this and exposed the ill treatment by the Samoa National Hospital of this baby. She was left to die for your information Ms. Cherelle. I read your mentioning of some media witholding informations. Well you've said it clearly, a violation of a childs right. And there is also a patient - doctor cofidentiality policy. For people who've accused of these people whom done so much and have reached out to help this baby, please stop the lotoleaga. Think first of what you've done. A le o lena foi, se aua le eu euina fua le utu poto o le mata o le isi ae fulifuli muamua le oga laau lena e poloka ai lau vaai. The journalist who've wrote the above story should go back to the drawing boards of the galuega faatusitala. Have you ever tried to get comments from the people you accused? 2 sides of every coin and so as stories. I felt sorry for baby Miracle. Those doctors will use her as a guinea pig or to put it to simpler terms, use her to upgrade their sklills. Faamanuia le Atua ia Miracle ma ia manuia lona taotoga.
... written by Korina.L,
February 12, 2008
Well our family all went to the airport to see baby Miracle before she left for America, and I can tell you that it was such an emotional farewell. May I congratulate you all that have stepped up to help this baby. We can only talk and say so much, especially those who are trying to rubbish talk and didn't do anything at all. Thank you so much for the courage and the true love that you have for this child. I witnessed so much love at the airport and tears of saddness that she left Samoa, but we understand that she needs to go for treatments that she desperately need. I would like to say to Ms Cherelle Jackson that this is no time to raise hands and judge especially the people who have accepted this huge responsibility for Miracle and her family. Lord above is the only JUDGE not you my dear! Ask yourself first what you've done, before you judge somebody. I bet you feel so much guilt that you never did anything for Miracle and yet only wrote your piece up there. Thank you to Popo Uli above who have explained clearly what you are going on about. I think you are just a beginner girlfriend! Take some more lessons or perhaps you are in the wrong career???. Well, I don't wish to waste my time no more on you. Just wanna say that my family and I have prayed for Miracle from when we found out, and will keep praying that she will continue to prove the Samoan Doctors wrong, that you will be a lot stronger and keep on fighting as you have done already. I love you baby Miracle!! Korina.L
Why so personal? written by Concerned,
February 14, 2008
It's amazing how people comment about lotoleaga and faaleaga and then proceed to personally attack the reporter who's job is to write the news which in turn becomes a lotoleaga attack. If you are so amazing and loving why are you telling the whole world you donated 2 cents to the cause. Who cares? A true giver does not sing his or her own praises but hey I guess no one else will so you come on here and air your names and the goodness of your pretentious hearts that you gave something. Don't get me wrong bless you for helping but to post about it makes it ingenuine. We are all praying that all young children in Samoa make it in life with less diffculty than usual.
Submit News from your Area If you would like to submit News for possible publication in both the online and print version of Newsline please feel free to email us at
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Become a News Blogger Have a passion for writing? Interested in writing articles for Newsline? Email us at
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
. We are looking for Bloggers from around the world to contribute to our site.
The News 
Subscribe to this comment's feed
Thousands of dollars have been raised here in New Zealand by a trust set up by Taufau Gardenia Aukuso. It is gifted money and she keeps the books closed from interested parties...why?
My understanding is that nothing much has changed for the child or the family. That is not good enough! If anything the load could be lightened for the family significantly and or blessing could be bestowed to the family in many forms but thanks to people like Taufau Gardenia Aukuso who make it their role as savior and "controller"
What happens to all the money if Baby passes away? is only one of the scenarios! Is it Baby Miracles fund that pays for Taufau Gardenia Aukuso airfares and such who knows?....With all the other charities helping out and donating services and resources I see only Taufau Gardenia Aukuso as the one asking for money.
Here's the catch that caught me!........There is no such Charitible Trust established in New Zealand only a Westpac account: Account name: Baby Miracle Appeal Account
Account No: 03 0173 0573333 000
and donation outlets: Plastic Box in Manukau, Auckland. Phone 09 262 1098, Wholesale Autos in Papatoetoe, Auckland. Phone 09 276 6699
Pacific Ezy Money Transfer in Otahuhu, Auckland. Phone 09 276 7974
Pacific Ezy Lending Lincoln Road, Henderson, Auckland. Phone 09 835 2348
So ..... Any questions?