Last weekend political pundits and presenters reckoned the leader of the opposition was ripe for rolling and her days in the job were numbered. But - as in the past - it was all based on rumours recycled by political reporters with secret sources who offered the public few reasons to believe it was true.

After 23 years with one political party and one prime minister in charge, Samoa’s general election last weekend delivered a surprise neck-and-neck result. But it was barely reported in most national media outlets here. How come? And what might improve the situation?

After 23 years with one political party and one prime minister in charge, Samoa’s general election last weekend delivered a surprise neck-and-neck result. But it was barely reported in most national media outlets here. How come? And what might improve the situation?

'Dead leader walking' a familiar line from media; Samoa's election cliff-hanger overlooked locally; Directory inquiries: Yellow Pages under pressure

'Dead leader walking' a familiar line from media; Samoa's election cliff-hanger overlooked locally; Directory inquiries: Yellow Pages under pressure

Mediawatch's weekly catch-up with Lately.  This week Hayden Donnell talks to Susana Leiataua about a surprising statement from MediaWorks about reported allegations of misconduct by company staff - and a reporter suffering a social media backlash because of mistaken identity. But first: how the intense coverage of the death of the Duke of Edinburgh last weekend overshadowed an international story much closer to home.

Mediawatch's weekly catch-up with Lately.  This week Hayden Donnell talks to Susana Leiataua about a surprising statement from MediaWorks about reported allegations of misconduct by company staff - and a reporter suffering a social media backlash because of mistaken identity. But first: how the intense coverage of the death of the Duke of Edinburgh last weekend overshadowed an international story much closer to home.

A green light for a travel bubble with Australia was a good news story for people separated from loved ones - and businesses needing the cash of free-spending foreigners. But were the bubble-happy media too keen to accentuate the positive when the likely benefits are far from clear?

The media planned for the Duke of Edinburgh's death - but the timing of the announcement last night could hardly have been worse for firing up special coverage from scratch.

The media planned for the Duke of Edinburgh's death - but the timing of the announcement last night could hardly have been worse for firing up special coverage from scratch.