Prime Minister bans Samoa Observer newspaper from his Press Conferences

By Staff Reporters/

Apia, Samoa – 17 November 2025: The country’s only daily newspaper, the Samoa Observer has been banned from attending the Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers future press conferences effective today.

The ban was issued by Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt at the start of his first press conference today since returning to Samoa after 8 weeks in New Zealand on medical leave.

His reasons for the ban were based on several matters in a separate press release (see other story) but referred to two matters in the press conference.

One, Samoa Observer article on a meeting that was supposed to take place between the Deputy Prime Minister, Toelupe Poumulinuku Onesemo and the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Peseta Noumea Simi and CEO of the Ministry of Prime Minister & Cabinet Agafili Shem Leo.

The story was a follow up to an article that stated MFAT’s advice to the Prime Minister not to engage in meetings with other government leaders while he was on medical leave.

Agafili issued a press statement confirming that there was never a meeting as reported by the Samoa Observer.

“To date, they (Samoa Observer) have not made a correction, retracted or apologised regarding a supposed meeting that never took place; and to me that is how high the newspaper thinks of themselves,” said the Prime Minister.

Invading PM’s privacy at his private home
The second issue was when Laauli returned from New Zealand last Saturday just after arriving at his private home, three Samoa Observer reporters/photographers arrived and demanded to speak with him.

According to Laauli, the police escort stopped them at the gate, but they entered his property but when they started taking photos of the property, that’s when his family stepped in and sent them to their car.

Laauli said he told the police escort to inform them to set an appointment to come see him at his office in town.

“I’ve just been home ten minutes and we’ve just started a prayer service with my children, and I saw them (reporters) arguing with the police,” Laauli explained.

“E 10 minute fa’atoa ou taunu’u ae toe sosofa atu foi ma o atu i totonu o lo’u fanua ma finau ai ma leoleo. O a’u o le taitai o le atunuu o le mafuaaga lea o le iai o leoleo mo le puipuiga o lou saogalemu. Na fai iai e aua le teenaina ae omai I le ofisa, ona o lea faatoa fai le matou lotu ma si au fanau ae ou vaai mai ua finau atu ma leoleo,” said Laauli.

“My home is a private home; and all matters pertaining to the Government are conducted at my office,” he explained.

Then he referred to a Samoa Observer article today where they claimed they did not enter the property.

Respect for respect
Prior to the FAST Government taking office on 16 September 2025, Laauli banned the Samoa Observer from attending their press conferences after stories Laauli said have been twisted. However, when they took office, Laauli took the advice of Agafili Shem Leo, the CEO of the Ministry of the Prime Minister and he allowed the newspaper back.

“E taua le so’otaga vavalalata a le Malo ma le au tusitala aua le nofo malamalama i mataupu lagālagalā aua le fa’afofoga a le atunu’u ma mataupu e faailoa atu e le Malo. E taua la fesootaiga,” said Laauli.

He said it is important to respect each other, however, if Samoa Observer does not respect him, then he will not respect them either.

Laauli today repeated his stance on media relations he declared when he first took office on 16 September, that he will always have time for the media and he expects the media to act accordingly.

He said in the eight weeks he had been on medical leave overseas, the Samoa Observer had continued to published twisted and incorrect information that ridicule him as Prime Minister and only create strained relations within the community.

Laauli also confirmed during todays press conference that he will also prepare a paper to inform Cabinet of his decision on Samoa Observer ban which will also include Cabinet Ministers.

Samoa Observer reporter apologized
The three reporters who came to the Prime Ministers private residence last Saturday afternoon, did not come to todays’ press conference. The paper however sent reporter Marieta Ilalio.

After stating his decision, the Prime Minister then asked the reporter to leave.

Ms. Ilalio apologised and acknowledged Laauli’s decision before leaving the room.