Global media freedom watchdog Reporters Without Borders has called on the Samoan government to lift the ban preventing the Samoa Observer from attending government press conferences.

“The measure is totally unacceptable — it comes after one of its journalists filed a complaint over violence committed by the PM’s security officers,” said RSF in a post on its BlueSky news feed.

Prime Minister La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt “temporarily” banned the Samoa Observer on last Monday from engagements with him and his ministers, triggering a wave of condemnation from Pacific and global media freedom organisations.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joined its affiliate, the Journalists Association of (Western) Samoa (JAWS), in calling on the Samoan government to reverse the decision in the interests of media freedom.

“There are reasons countries around the world have media councils, and that is to precisely act on matters such as this,” said the IFJ.

“This is a severe case of overreach by the government and a total disregard of the legally mandated and independent mechanism that is established in Samoa to address concerns about media accuracy, fairness, or ethical conduct. The ban must be lifted immediately.”

Pacific media organisations, including the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) and the Fijian Media Association (FMA), expressed deep concern over the move, with PINA saying it represented a serious threat to media freedom, public access to information, and democratic accountability in Samoa and the wider Pacific region.

Further to that, PINA and the Pacific Freedom Forum (PFF) told Laaulialemalietoa that Samoa’s democratic standing and its reputation as a leader in the region are being watched.

PINA and PFF, in a joint letter, have respectfully but firmly urged Laaulialemalietoa to reverse his decision to ban the Samoa Observer from his press conferences immediately.

“This ban restricts media freedom protected under Samoa’s Constitution and undermines the public’s fundamental right to information. As Samoa’s only daily newspaper and its largest media organisation, the Samoa Observer plays a critical role in ensuring that citizens have access to independent reporting on matters that shape their lives. Excluding them from government press conferences weakens transparency and public accountability,” PINA and PFF said.

“As Prime Minister, your leadership is rooted in service to the people of Samoa. A free and open press is essential to good governance, and actions that limit media access inevitably raise questions about government openness and risk eroding public trust.

“We acknowledge that an incident took place involving Samoa Observer journalists. However, an international journalist present at the time described their conduct as “careful and respectful.” We are also aware that the Samoa Observer editor has lodged a police complaint alleging assault—an allegation that must be properly investigated.”