Court bans screening of Maota o Viiga Program on any Media Platform

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, SAMOA – 10 December 2025: District Court Judge Papalii Alalatoa Rosella Papalii has issued an order prohibiting the screening of the Maota o Viiga program on any media platforms until a defamation case against the hosts, Toleafoa Saia Toleafoa and his wife Ainuu Iliganoa Savaiinaea is resolved.

Both have pleaded not guilty to 3 counts of harassment utilising means of electronic communication and criminal libel under sections 219 and 117A as and 33 of the Crimes Act 2013.

The prohibition order was made when Judge Papalii delivered her ruling on the defendants application to leave the jurisdiction and return to Australia where they reside for medical assistance and sort our other affairs before returning to Samoa in January 2026 to face the charges.

Judge Papalii said she is satisfied with the bail variation provided by the Prosecution.

She previously ruled to allow the defendants to continue screening their Maota o Viiga program but to refrain from making comments or information that will have impact on the public.

“Come to think of it, even when they were in Samoa they still could not control the content of that program as seen in the video shown in Court on 17 November 2025,” said Judge Papalii.

“That video was screened following strict bail conditions that was imposed by the court on the defendants on 11 November, 2025,” she said.

She also noted that it is in the public interest for members of the public, members of the community to be protected from any further adverse cyber bullying from this program.

“Accordingly, the defendants are strictly prohibited from screening their Maota o Viiga o le Atua Program on any type of platform or media,” said Judge Papalii.

Courts Orders
Judge Papalii granted the defendants leave but also issued strict conditions which include:

• Paying bail bond of $5000 each to the Court.
• Each to pay surety of $10,000.
• They are to return to Samoa on 24 January 2026 and if they wish to leave again after that date, they are to file another application to leave jurisdiction.
• They are to surrender their passports to the Registrar upon returning to Samoa.
• They are to reside in New South Wales once they arrive in Australia and
• They are strictly prohibited from screening their Maota o Viiga program on any platform or media until their case has been resolved.