Pacific media organizations are urging Samoa’s Prime Minister, La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt, to promptly lift the ban on the Samoa Observer, asserting that it infringes upon constitutional rights and erodes public trust. In a collective letter, the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) and the Pacific Freedom Forum (PFF) emphasized that the government’s decision restricts media freedom as guaranteed under Samoa’s Constitution and impairs the public’s fundamental right to access information.
The letter highlights the critical role of the Samoa Observer as the nation’s only daily newspaper, noting that its exclusion from official government press conferences undermines transparency and accountability. “As Samoa’s only daily newspaper and its largest media organization, the Samoa Observer plays a pivotal role in ensuring that citizens can receive independent coverage on issues affecting their lives,” it states.
Calling the ban disproportionate, the organizations acknowledged an incident involving Observer journalists but noted that an international journalist described their behavior as “careful and respectful.” The Samoa Observer’s editor has also filed a police complaint regarding an alleged assault, which the organizations emphasized should be appropriately investigated.
PINA and PFF reminded the government that there is already a legal avenue for addressing complaints about media conduct without resorting to blanket bans. They pointed to the Media Council Act 2015 as the appropriate method for resolving disputes rather than implementing severe restrictions. They warned that such actions could set a troubling precedent that future administrations might exploit to suppress dissenting media voices.
The letter calls on Schmidt to reconsider the ban and adhere to democratic principles. By reinstating the Samoa Observer’s access, the Prime Minister would reaffirm his government’s commitment to transparency, the rule of law, and democratic governance.
As international attention focuses on Apia, the organizations assert that Samoa’s standing as a democratic leader is on the line. “The Pacific region is watching closely. Samoa’s democratic credibility and its reputation as a regional leader depend on the actions taken now,” they concluded.
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