Let Journalism Thrive! [1]
Friday, May 1, 2015 - 18:28. Updated on Sunday, May 3, 2015 - 11:42.
The theme for the 2015 World Press Freedom Day is, 'Let Journalism Thrive! Towards Better Reporting, Gender Equality and Media Safety in the Digital Age'.
The UN General Assembly proclaimed the international day in 1993 and since then May 3 every year is celebrated worldwide as World Press Freedom Day.
Every May 3 celebration, the fundamental principles of press freedom around the world are evaluated and tributes are made to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession.
"Quality journalism enables citizens to make informed decisions about their society's development. It also works to expose injustice, corruption, and the abuse of power. For this. journalism must be able to thrive, in an enabling environment in which they can work independently and without undue interference and in conditions of safety," is a message from the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein
The Tongan media is currently thriving, seen by the fact that in the capital Nuku'alofa with a population of about 70,000, there are five weekly newspapers, a national broadcaster, the Tonga Broadcasting Commission with a TV and an AM and FM radio service. There are also three independent FM radio stations, which offer community and news services. In addition to all these are numerous online news websites.
Interesting also to note that the Prime Minister, Hon. 'Akilisi Pohiva was the founding publisher and editor of the Kele'a newspaper, and his Media Adviser, Kalafi Moala is the editor of the Taimi newspaper. One of the newly elected People's Representatives into the Tongan parliament, Mateni Tapiueluelu is the editor of the Kele'a newspaper.
Tonga was ranked 44 in the Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index 2015.