Prime minister has accused the Samoa Observer of inaccurate reporting during his eight-week medical stay in New Zealand
Samoa’s only daily newspaper has been banned from attending press conferences with the Samoan prime minister, in a move that critics say threatens the democratic integrity of the Pacific nation.
Relations between La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt and the Samoa Observer have deteriorated in recent weeks, with the prime minister accusing the newspaper of inaccurate reporting during his eight-week medical stay in New Zealand.
The temporary ban was imposed after the public removal of Observer journalist Marieta Heidi Ilalio from the prime minister’s weekly press conference on Monday.
On Monday night, La’aulialemalietoa announced the Samoa Observer would be barred from all future press conferences.
