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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
World
Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson

Samoa PM suspends country’s only daily newspaper from press briefings amid dispute over coverage

Samoa parliament house in Apia.
The ban on the Samoa Observer has triggered strong criticism from political leaders and press freedom advocates. Photograph: Maximilian Weinzierl/Alamy

Samoa’s only daily newspaper has been banned from attending press conferences with the Samoan prime minister, in a move that critics say threatens the democratic integrity of the Pacific nation.

Relations between La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt and the Samoa Observer have deteriorated in recent weeks, with the prime minister accusing the newspaper of inaccurate reporting during his eight-week medical stay in New Zealand.

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