May 23, 2025 – Samoa’s government is being urged to reconsider its 2017 decision to bring back criminal defamation by the regional media watchdog, the Pacific Freedom Forum, PFF.
The PFF call builds on similar statements from the national and regional media networks, as Talamua Online Senior Journalist Lagi Keresoma now faces a criminal defamation charge over a news item involving a public figure.
Keresoma, who is President of the Samoa Journalists’ National Body, JAWS, is being charged under criminal defamation libel clauses in the Penal Code. Samoa repealed its defamation laws in 2013 on the recommendation of the Samoa Law Commission. However, in 2017, criminal defamation was reintroduced, with harsher penalties than civil defamation.
“We commend our colleagues in Samoa for their efforts to uphold media values and ethics, serving the public interest and right to know,” says PFF Chair Robert Iroga, of the Solomon Islands. “We also support the editorial positions in Samoa, welcoming anyone with a media grievance to bring their complaints in the first instance to the news outlet or national body, which should have an accessible procedure for receiving and handling this feedback.”
“The cost of media cases like this, brought by the state, will ultimately be borne by the taxpayer, with the legal costs of defence a huge burden on newsrooms that are unable to profit in the economies they serve, this places a question of intent over any defamation cases brought against media especially in instances where direct contact and low cost mediation has not
already been pursued,” he added.
Similar concerns over defamation have emerged across the Pacific. PFF has already issued alerts on the Palau defamation suit brought by the Surangel family business against Island Times Publisher Leilani Reklai continues, as legal costs rise. And in Papua New Guinea, where assault survivor and former broadcaster Hennah Joku is facing defamation charges brought by her assailant, who has since been released, media leaders have criticised the use of ‘lawfare’ brought by wealthy individuals and private
corporations against journalists.
“At the end of the day, the defense of truth and integrity is what works best for our profession and our people. An out-of-court resolution would help restore confidence and public perceptions that our leaders are more than happy to be held to account.” Iroga said.
CONTACTS:
Robert Iroga / PFF Chair / SOLOMON ISLANDS
Founder/Publisher, Solomon Business Magazine
rliroga@gmail.com
Katalina Tohi / PFF Co-Chair -Polynesia/ TONGA
broadcomradio89.5fm@gmail.com
PH:+6767714826
Leilani Reklai/PFF Co-Chair – Micronesia/PALAU
Island Times, Publisher and Editor
leireklai@gmail.com
PH/: +6807751004
Bernadette Carreon- PFF Projects Manager
carreon.bernadette@gmail.com
PH/: +447308801647