TVNZ may appeal a ruling that orders it to pay the Samoan government $5,000 for a story alleging drug and gun smuggling are rife in the island nation.

The Broadcasting Standards Authority has decided TVNZ breached three broadcasting standards with the story that ran on One News and Tagata Pasifika in April last year.

Samoa's Attorney General lodged a complaint on behalf of the Government, alleging viewers had been left with a false impression of the country.

The BSA was forced to release the decision upholding some aspects of the complaint today, after it was leaked by the Samoan Government.

TVNZ is also ordered to pay $2,000 Crown costs.

The broadcaster says it stands by the substance of the story and the integrity and professionalism of the reporter concerned.