The Samoa government has filed a complaint to the New Zealand Broadcasting Standards Authority following a controversial story aired by TVNZ One News earlier this month about gangs and drugs in Samoa.
The move comes after the TVNZ reporter, who traveled to Samoa to research and file the story, Barbara Dreaver, has made public a sworn affidavit to confirm her stance in the report.
The news item alleges that gang members are involved in the selling and smuggling of guns into the country.
However, after an investigation the Samoa police say the television story was misleading and ruined the country's reputation especially towards the Tourism Industry.
The decision to file a complaint was endorsed in a cabinet meeting over the week-end.
In a statement, the government says the law firm in New Zealand of Chapman Tripp will stand for the Government of Samoa and will be preparing and filing the complaint to the New Zealand Broadcasting Standard Authority.