The Samoa Police has raised concerns over the spread of false information on social media during the ongoing general election period, urging the public to be cautious and avoid being misled.

A senior police spokesperson said it was “disheartening” to see individuals and even some media outlets sharing unverified or false information, particularly during such a sensitive time.

“It is disappointing to see the amount of misinformation being circulated on social media, especially during this election period,” the spokesperson said. “Many of these matters are already before the courts, and some of the information being shared is completely false. There are also some media outlets publishing inaccurate information.”

The police are urging voters and the general public to verify information and avoid relying on unconfirmed social media posts that could influence their decisions ahead of the polls.

“Our advice to the public, given the election process underway, is to avoid content that manipulates or misleads voters,” the spokesperson added. “At this time, there is nothing to be gained from believing misinformation on social media. We strongly advise everyone not to fall for it.”

The spokesperson revealed that the Police Monitoring Team is actively tracking online activities to identify individuals and pages responsible for spreading misleading information.

“We have a monitoring team that is keeping an eye on social media content related to misinformation,” the spokesperson said. “Where necessary, the team may recommend to Meta to take down pages or posts that are spreading false information and misleading the public during this election period.”

The warning follows growing concerns about the impact of misinformation on Samoa’s democratic process. With tensions rising during the election season, police emphasised that such false information could lead to unnecessary confusion, unrest, or even criminal investigations.

The Samoa Police Service is urging all citizens to rely on official sources for information, including government agencies, the Office of the Electoral Commissioner, and credible news outlets.

“Stay informed, but make sure your information comes from reliable sources,” the spokesperson said. “This ensures our people can make informed decisions without being swayed by false or malicious content.”

The public is also encouraged to report suspicious or misleading posts to the police or directly through Meta platforms to help curb the spread of harmful misinformation.