Dear Editor

The Solomon Star on Thursday, April 11 published an article that repeated false accusations that In-Depth Solomons had acted unethically in its story about PM Manasseh Sogavare’s unexplained wealth. The article is untrue.

Ironically, the Solomon Star did exactly what the article wrongly accused us of doing: failed to reach out to us for comment.

If they had reached out, they would have learned that In-Depth Solomons and OCCRP made multiple attempts to secure an interview with Mrs. Emmy Sogavare. Before publication, we also sent four pages of written questions to the Prime Minister’s Office detailing the key findings of our investigation. We received no reply, despite multiple follow-up attempts.

The Solomon Star’s article repeated a series of misleading allegations about our journalistic ethics, funding, and agenda. But what it didn’t do — and couldn’t do — is refute the facts of our reporting on the Sogavares’ wealth.

We encourage the public to avoid attempts to distract them and read our extensively fact-checked report online here.