The Journalists Association of Samoa says a journalist’s camera is taken and photos are deleted after she covers a public event involving Samoan Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa’s security, according to reports.
Radio New Zealand Pacific reports that the journalist’s camera is removed and that photographs taken during coverage of the event are deleted. The NZ Herald reports more specifically that the Prime Minister’s son reportedly deletes photos taken at a police event.
Both outlets frame the issue as a potential interference with journalistic work and say the media watchdog is seeking clarification from those involved. The reports describe differing details about who deletes the images and the exact circumstances of the event, but they agree that the deletion/removal of the journalist’s photos prompts a demand for explanations.
