The Maota o Samoa Vi'iga online programme owners, Ainu'u Iliganoa Savaiinaea and Toleafoa Sai'a Toleafoa, have applied to the court for a chance to resume their usual programmes that aired online every Tuesday and Thursday.

Counsel for defendants, Ainu'u and Toleafoa, Meleisea Mathew Lemisio, said the programme has been halted for more than six months now; not only have followers and fans lost track, but the defendants have also lost a revenue source. 

He told the court that, aside from politics, the show hosted religious hymns from different Samoan Choirs.

Meleisea said the request from his clients is just to reopen the programme and to update the followers.

He added that it was up to the court to consider if the usual programme on Sundays, which is called "Fa'atalanoaga ma le Ta'ita'i Sili", can still be on hold, but at least allow the Tuesday and Thursday programmes, which focus on cultural and religious segments.

In responding to the application, prosecutor Leone Su'a Mailo objected to it, saying that the prosecution relies on three videos of the Maota o Vi'iga's previous programmes from 2024, and the language used is vulgar and defamatory, which is why it should still be on hold.

Judge Papalii Rosella Papalii adjourned the matter to Friday for her decision on all applications, including for the complainant in the case to give evidence from overseas and another to quash the matter as the complaint was made from outside of the jurisdiction.