Samoa Prime Minister’s stance on the decision to ban journalists from the Samoa Observer newspaper remains firm.
Prime Minister La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polāta’ivao Fosi Schmidt does not permit a journalist of the Samoa Observer newspaper to attend any of his press conferences.
This decision also includes Cabinet Ministers.
Asked by a journalist during his weekly press conferences, when the Government might reconsider its position and allow the Samoa Observer to return to any press conferences the Prime Minister responded clearly: “If there is no change, we will continue as we are, and the ban will remain.”
“The Samoa Observer remains banned,” the Prime Minister clearly stated.
He pointed towards an issue raised by the recently sworn in Attorney General Mauga Precious Chang, the Samoa Observer published a report stating that the Attorney General was preparing to travel to Fiji for a meeting with other organisations.
In reality there was no such trip and the Prime Minister questioned where such information is being obtained.
The Samoa Observer has been banned from attending Prime Minister’s and Cabinet Ministers press conferences since November 2025.
Following the ban the Prime Minister issued a statement that the justification to support the temporary suspension is to bring into account the Samoa Observer to practice what they preach which includes reporting factual, accurate and impartial articles with integrity and professionalism.
In the press release, released in November the Prime Minister strongly support the principles of the public’s right to information and freedom of the media, it is important that reporting adheres to ethical standards and responsible journalism practices, given the significant role and influence media plays in informing our community.
In the press release he highlighted some specific instances for clarity:
a) In a week after being in New Zealand, an editorial suggested a perceived division between the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Ministers, which appeared to be aimed at creating discord during his absence.
b) An article regarding the chair he used during a meeting with the New Zealand Foreign Minister, which was flagged as fake. The Prime Minister sought clarification from the publication, but no supporting evidence was provided to the public.
c) An article quoting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs suggesting he was advised not to meet foreign leaders while under medical leave. This information seems to have been leaked, and its portrayal was aimed at undermining his authority as Prime Minister.
d) An incorrect follow up article reporting a meeting between the Deputy Prime Minister and the CEO of Foreign Affairs and the CEO of the Prime Minister, allegedly to discuss the advice for him not to engage in meetings while on medical leave. The incorrect article was officially corrected by the MPMC Chief Executive labelling it as a “phantom meeting” because it never took place.
Secondly the newspaper reporter never sought comments from the government officials implicated to verify if the report was factual and correct. A correction was requested but to date the Samoa Observer has failed to publish a correction or retraction.
e] On Saturday, 16 November 2025, after returning home, the Prime Minister experienced an invasion of his privacy when three newspaper reporters and photographers trespassed and accessed his private residence without invitation, despite being stopped by police at the gate.
