Samoa’s only daily newspaper, the Samoa Observer, has been banned from all future media briefings by the Prime Minister La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt, including those held by all cabinet ministers.
La’auli ejected a Samoa Observer reporter from his press conference Monday afternoon, saying he did not like the style of reporting from the newspaper.
He said he had been monitoring the newspaper reports while in New Zealand on medical leave, and he was not happy with the way they wrote their stories.
A press release later in the day said the ban was temporary.
During the press conference, the Prime Minister alluded to reports in the newspaper that he thought were questionable regarding accuracy and fairness.
He said the newspaper ran an article about a ”fake” chair used during his meeting with the New Zealand foreign minister.
“I sought clarification from the publication, but no supporting evidence was provided to the public,” said the release.
He also spoke about a report of a meeting between Deputy PM Toelupe Poumulinuku Onesemo, the CEO of Foreign Affairs, and the CEO of the Prime Minister’s office — a meeting that was later denied by the CEO of the PM’s office.
“The incorrect article was officially corrected by the MPMC Chief Executive, labelling it as a ‘phantom meeting’ because it never took place,” said La’auli.
La’auli said there was also an article quoting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs suggesting he was advised not to meet foreign leaders while under overseas medical leave.
“This information seems to have been leaked, and its portrayal was aimed at undermining my authority as Prime Minister.”
He also said that on Saturday, November 16, after returning home, he experienced an invasion of privacy when three newspaper reporters and photographers trespassed and accessed his private residence without invitation, despite being stopped by police at the gate.
“Their approach was rude, arrogant, invasive and lacked respect for personal privacy,” his release said.
“In […] light of these experiences, I have decided to temporarily suspend this newspaper from my press engagements starting today, ”said the PM
There has been no official statement from the Journalists Association of Samoa on the ban.
