Samoan media urged to be factual & accurate in reporting

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, Samoa – 18 September 2025 – The newly appointed Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schimdt has committed to an open-door media policy. But at the same time urge the media to be factual and accurate in its reporting.

He has called two press conferences since taking office in as many days, updating the media and country on governments actions in addressing priority issues such as an Emergency Budget.

He told the media that there will be regular media briefings after Cabinet every week and if he is not available, a spokesperson will speak to the media.

“It will be a new start, and I am not asking the media to side with me, no, but we put our trust in you to write factual and accurate articles,” he said.

He reminded the media that it is easy to say things without knowing how hurtful they can be.

“If I am hurt, the country will also be hurt,” he said.

“Ask me questions about things that will benefit Samoa, what will benefit you and us all tomorrow,” he told the media.

Before the elections, Laauli as leader of FAST was invited as a guest speaker at the Media’s Election Reporting Workshop. He told the media then, that if he has the country’s trust to lead Samoa, he will seek to have closer working relations with all media outlets.

At the press conference, he echoed those words and is living up to what he promised the media during then.

Although Cabinet has one pressing issue which is the Emergency Budget, he opened the floor for media questions on general issues that the media took advantage of.