JAWS stand by President charged with criminal libel

Apia, Samoa – 21 May 2025 – The Executive Board of the Journalists Association of Samoa (JAWS) “stands in full solidarity with our President, Lagi Keresoma, who has been charged with criminal libel (Defamation) in relation to an article she authored.”

In a media statement last night, JAWS said the charge, brought under Section 117A of the Crimes Act 2013, is a troubling development for press freedom in Samoa.

“It is deeply concerning that a journalist of Lagi Keresoma’s integrity and professionalism is being prosecuted under a law that has long been criticized for its negative effect on Press Freedom,” the statement said.

As the Executive Board of JAWS, we:

• Stand firmly with our President, Lagi Keresoma, and affirm her right to report freely and without fear of criminal prosecution.
• Reject the use of criminal libel laws as a means to silence journalists or discourage investigative reporting.
• Call for the immediate repeal of Section 117A of the Crimes Act 2013, and for Samoa to return to a legal framework that protects press freedom and resolves defamation through civil remedies.
• Reaffirm our commitment to defending the rights of all journalists in Samoa to work without intimidation or legal harassment.

“We urge the @Government of Samoa & the Ministry of Police & Prisons, to uphold their constitutional and democratic obligations to Protect the Freedom Of Expression & The Press.

“Journalism is not a crime, and no journalist should be treated as criminals for fulfilling their duty to the public,” said the Executive Board’s statement.