Fiji, Nov. 5 -- Samoa has defended its media freedom record at the United Nations, insisting it remains committed to protecting independent journalism after 10 countries raised concerns over restrictions on media outlets, unequal access to government information and threats against journalists.

Responding to criticism at the UN Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review (UPR), Samoa's representative Nella Pepe Tavita-Levy said the government remained committed to freedom of expression, access to information and media freedom under the Constitution and its international human rights obligations.

"Samoa remains committed to protecting freedom of expression, access to information, and media freedom in accordance with the Constitution...