AG Corrects Misleading News Report, “No such travel currently planned”

2026-02-09 - 15:19

The Office of the Attorney General have had to issue a clarification regarding a false and misleading news article headlined by the Samoa Observer, suggesting the AG was heading overseas for an international conference. The article was published last week, inferring the newly appointed Attorney General would soon be jet-setting to attend an international conference while the Office was understaffed. The Clarification Statement from the AGs office is published below in verbatim: “The Office of the Attorney General wishes to clarify an article recently published by the Samoa Observer stating that the Attorney General is heading to Fiji on her first official trip to attend the Commonwealth Law Ministers meeting.” The Attorney General, Mauga Precious Chang, was surprised to learn of this publication, as she does not routinely read the Samoa Observer and was unaware of the article until it was brought to her attention. “Upon becoming aware of the report, the Attorney General immediately checked with her Office and can confirm that neither she nor her Office has received any invitation, correspondence, or official notification regarding attendance at a Commonwealth Law Ministers Meeting in Fiji, nor is any such travel currently planned.” “Accordingly, the information contained in the article is incorrect.” While the Office acknowledges the important role of the media in informing the public, it is essential that reporting on matters of public office be accurate and verified.” “The publication of speculative or unverified information risks misleading the public and unnecessarily undermining confidence in public institutions.” Office of Attorney General. By observation, the Office of the Attorney G