"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. He accused the newspaper of inaccurate reporting while he was in New Zealand for a medical issue and said it had failed to uphold ethical standards."
"In a statement, La'aulialemalietoa listed several examples of stories that he claimed were published without sufficient factual verification or a chance for those involved to respond. He cited an editorial which appeared to be aimed at creating discord during my absence. He also detailed an incident on 16 November where he claimed Samoa Observer staff had trespassed at his private residence. Their approach was rude, arrogant, and invasive and lacked respect for personal privacy."
The Samoan prime minister temporarily banned the Samoa Observer from attending his press conferences after the public removal of Observer journalist Marieta Heidi Ilalio from a weekly briefing. Relations between La'aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt and the newspaper had deteriorated amid accusations of inaccurate reporting during his eight-week medical stay in New Zealand. The prime minister alleged several stories lacked factual verification, cited an editorial that appeared aimed at creating discord during his absence, and accused Observer staff of trespassing at his private residence. The Samoa Observer rejected the claims, reaffirming independent journalism. Sampod described the ban as disproportionate and harmful.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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