SAMOAN journalists want answers after security personnel reportedly removed a camera and deleted photographs taken by a newspaper reporter covering a public event.
The incident occurred on Tuesday morning at the Government Building in Apia, where a reporter from the Samoa Observer was covering a police event.
Security personnel reportedly told the journalist that a law prohibited the newspaper from photographing Prime Minister La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt.
The Journalists Association of Samoa said it was deeply disturbed by the treatment, noting that journalists have a professional right to record public events.
The Pacific Islands News Association also called for the circumstances surrounding the incident to be properly established.
The Samoan Government responded on Friday, saying it respected media freedom, but a ban on the Samoa Observer remains in place, while other independent media outlets maintain access to public events.
However, the association argued that security concerns should not become a pretext for obstructing legitimate journalism.
“Any concerns about media conduct should be handled through proper complaints and legal redress, rather than physical interference,” the association said.
