Regional
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Fresh from banning the country's only daily newspaper, Samoa's government is now developing rules for all media outlets, that could include background checks on journalists.
A draft media protocol obtained by the Samoa Observer requires questions for the Prime Minister's...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Veteran journalist and JAWS member Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia has raised concerns over the contents of a leaked 19-page draft of the Samoa government’s proposed media protocol, saying several measures could undermine press freedom in Samoa, as Samoa News reported in...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Government of American Samoa (ASG) starting this week is celebrating the Christmas spirit within the community, with two public celebrations and one for ASG leadership, a Cabinet Christmas dinner.
Cabinet members are expected to attend, and if unable to attend to...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — (December 5, 2025 with last update: December 8, 2025) As a key partner, UNESCO supports this important gathering of more than 200 historians, artists, curators, educators, students, community leaders, and policymakers from across the region—reinforcing the Organization’s...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — StarKist Samoa canneries’ initiative to build two new housing facilities to provide accommodations for Samoa’s guests workers working at the cannery is applauded and highly commended by Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt.
StarKist Samoa, is...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A leaked 19-page Government Media Protocol obtained and verified by the Samoa Observer outlines sweeping new restrictions on how journalists may question the country’s leaders.
The document begins with a requirement that all media submit their questions a full day before...
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is commemorating National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day for this year’s 83rd anniversary, and released the following statement:
“This year, December 7th is once again on Sunday. While there was war in much of the world, it was a peaceful and lovely...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — An award winning Tongan short film could possibly be up for an Oscar nomination. 'Lea Tupu'anga/Mother Tongue' premiered last year and has been shown at 20 international film festivals around the world.
Out of 17,000 films submitted to the prestigious Sundance Film...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Samoa's Prime Minister had an achilles tendon operation during his two-month absence in Aotearoa, according to the Samoan High Commission.
The country's High Commissioner to New Zealand Afamasaga Fa'amatalaupu Toleafoa said that he flew from Wellington to Auckland to...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A Samoan news anchor has won an Emmy for her coverage of the 2023 wildfires that broke out on Maui in Hawai'i.
In August 2023, the wildfires engulfed Maui Island, destroying the town of Lahaina and killing up to 102 people.
Tamara Vaifanua, who spoke to Pacific Waves has...