The Samoa Tourism Authority (STA) in response to the article ‘STA defends
$100,000 American deal’ published in the 4

th April edition of the Sunday Samoan,

highlights that the item contains blatant errors which must be corrected.
Contrary to the assertion that the term of the contract was for one-year, the actual
duration was 6-months.
In addition, the amount stated in the headline and opening paragraph (which is
assumed to be in Samoan tala) is incorrect and is in fact much less.
The correct term and value of the contract are clearly set-out in the document which
prompted the article.
Given a recent editorial which was both misleading and inaccurate, it is unknown if
the Samoa Observer intended to sensationalise its latest article (relating to tourism)
by disregarding the correct information contained in the contract.
We urge the publication to acknowledge its mistakes by publishing this statement
and the highlighted corrections (verbatim) and assure its readers that as a
responsible news-outlet, it will take necessary steps to ensure its stories are
thoroughly fact-checked before they are published.