Two online broadcast hosts from Australia have been charged by police following recent investigations, with one arrested at the airport and the other voluntarily turning themselves in at a police station.

The individuals are linked to Maota Samoa Viiga o le Atua, an online show based in Sydney, Australia, whose hosts are in Samoa visiting. They face charges of harassment using electronic communication.

Acting Police Commissioner Leiataua Samuelu Afamasaga told the Samoa Observer on Monday that Toleafoa Saia Toleafoa was arrested at Faleolo International Airport. At the same time, a second person came in voluntarily and was charged at a police station.

“They were charged under the Crime Act 219 for harassment using electronic communication,” Leiataua said. “I know it is the host of Maota o Viiga who was charged, as well as a woman who appears on the programme.”

Leiataua said the police would add more charges. 

Maota Samoa Viiga o le Atua is a broadcast online. On several occasions, the show has allegedly made claims about government figures, including Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt and other members of the Fa’atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party, and is known to use harsh language on air.