The Office of the Ombudsman has raised concerns over the publication of the names and personal details of two children suspected to have died in tragic circumstances at Nofoali‘i.
In an open letter to the editors of the Samoa Observer dated 16 September 2026, the Ombudsman, acting in its capacity as Samoa’s National Human Rights Institution, said the publication of the children’s names, ages and personal circumstances, together with interviews with immediate relatives, raised serious concerns about their rights to privacy and dignity.
The letter follows Samoa Observer reports titled “Parents mourns children after Nofoali‘i deaths” and an earlier report, “Police investigate after young brother and sister die in Nofoali‘i.”
The Ombudsman said that, when the reports are read together, there could be genuine doubt about the cause of death of the children.
It said this raised concerns under World Health Organization reporting guidelines, which caution media against implicitly or explicitly linking an ongoing investigation to a cause of death before official confirmation.
According to the Ombudsman, doing so can fuel community speculation and amplify rumours circulating on social media.
The Office also reminded media organisations of Samoa’s obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, particularly Article 16, which protects children from arbitrary interference with their privacy, family and home, as well as attacks on their honour and reputation.
The Ombudsman said publishing sensitive and highly personal information about children could compound the trauma experienced by grieving families and have other harmful repercussions.
While recognising the important role of the media, the Office said responsible reporting could raise awareness of issues affecting children and young people and encourage early intervention.
However, it warned that sensational or pervasive coverage of child deaths, particularly while the circumstances remain under investigation, could undermine those objectives and erode public trust in journalism.
The Ombudsman has called on the Samoa Observer and other media practitioners to review their editorial policies on reporting the deaths of children and young people, adopt international best-practice guidelines, and provide journalists with training on ethical reporting standards.
The Office said it was prepared to support dialogue and capacity-building with the media and other stakeholders.
The full open letter is reproduced below.
An Open Letter to the Honorable Editors of the Samoa Observer
16 September 2026
Respecting the rights of Samoa’s Children
Dear Editors,
The Office of the Ombudsman in pursuance of its mandate as the National Human Rights Institution of Samoa writes to express deep concern regarding publication in today’s Observer of the names and details of two children suspected to have died in tragic circumstances (“Parents mourns children after Nofoali’i deaths”).
While the issue may be viewed by some as a matter of public interest, the disclosure of the names, ages, and personal circumstances of these children, including interviews with their immediate relatives, in our respectful view constitutes a grave violation of their rights to privacy and dignity.
Moreover, when read in conjunction with an earlier article (“Police investigate after young brother and sister die in Nofoali’i”), there can arise genuine doubt as to the cause of death of these children.
This breaches international World Health Organisation (WHO) reporting guidelines, which state that media should never implicitly or explicitly tie a specific ongoing investigation to a cause of death without official confirmation, as it fuels community speculation and amplifies social media rumours.
The Office wishes to remind all media personnel of Samoa’s binding obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), specifically Article 16, which guarantees every child the right to protection against arbitrary “interference with his or her privacy, family, home” or to attacks “on his or her honor and reputation”.
Publishing sensitive and extremely personal information and details of their lives breaches these obligations and only serves to compound the trauma of grieving families. It may also have other harmful repercussions which we do not propose to delve into.
Undoubtedly the media holds a powerful role in shaping public understanding and constructive debate. Responsible reporting can raise awareness of problem areas involving children and young persons and foster and encourage a culture of early intervention.
Sensational or pervasive coverage of child deaths however, especially when all the relevant circumstances have not been fully investigated or determined, risks undermining these goals and can erode public trust in journalism as the fourth estate and a guardian of the common good.
The Ombudsman’s Office therefore calls upon the Samoa Observer and all media practitioners to:
– Immediately review and amend editorial policies on reporting the deaths of children and young persons.
– Adopt international best practice guidelines, such as those issued by the WHO and UNICEF, which emphasize non-identification, sensitivity, and referral to support services.
– Commit to training journalists on ethical reporting standards that uphold human rights and protect vulnerable groups.
The Office of the Ombudsman stands ready to support dialogue and capacity-building in this regard with media and all other stakeholders.
Together, we can ensure that coverage of such tragedies rises above the sometimes spurious and insensitive comments that inhabit social media, respects the privacy and dignity of children and young people, supports grieving families, and contributes to a safer, more compassionate Samoa.
Sincerely,
Vui Clarence Nelson
OMBUDSMAN