Ombudsman raises concern over Observer newspaper naming child victims 

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, SAMOA – 16 September 2026 – The Ombudsman Vui Clarence Nelson has raised concern over Samoa Observers article which named a brother and sister in todays’ article “Parents Mourn children after Nofoalii death.”

The concern was raised in a letter to the newspaper today. The Media Code of Ethics and Code of Practice administered by the national media body JAWS, also guard against the media naming child victims.

“The Office of the Ombudsman in pursuance of its mandate as the National Human Rights Institution of Samoa writes to express deep concern regarding publication in today’s Observer of the names and details of two children suspected to have died in tragic circumstances (“Parents mourns children after Nofoali’i deaths”).

Vui said that whilst the issue may be viewed as a public interest matter, he believes the disclosure of the deceased names, ages and personal circumstances of these children, including interviews with their immediate relatives, in our respectful view constitutes a grave violation of their rights to privacy and dignity.

“When read in conjunction with an earlier article (“Police investigate after young brother and sister die in Nofoali’i”), there can arise genuine doubt as to the cause of death of these children,” he said.

The incident happened Sunday morning and Samoa Observer ran the first story yesterday and second one today.

Vui said such article breaches international World Health Organisation (WHO) reporting guidelines, which state that media should never implicitly or explicitly tie a specific ongoing investigation to a cause of death without official confirmation, as it fuels community speculation and amplifies media rumours.

Reminder to the media
The office of the Ombudsman has reminded all media practitioners of Samoas’ binding obligation under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) specifically Article 16 which guarantees a child’s right to protection against arbitrary with his/her privacy, family, home.

The Office wishes to remind all media personnel of Samoa’s binding obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights Of the Child (CRC), specifically Article 16, which guarantees every child the right to protection against arbitrary “interference with his or her privacy, family, home” or to attacks “on his or her honour and reputation”.

He said publishing sensitive and extremely personal information and details of their lives breaches these obligations and only serves to compound the trauma of grieving families.

“Undoubtedly the media holds a powerful role in shaping public understanding and constructive debate and responsible reporting can raise awareness of problem areas involving children and young persons and foster and encourage a culture of early intervention,” he said.

“Sensational or pervasive coverage of child deaths however, especially when all the relevant circumstances have not been fully investigated or determined, risks undermining these goals and can erode public interest in journalism as the fourth estate and a guardian of the common good.