Disregarding strong public protests and the opposition of People's Representatives, the Tongan Government pushed through a bill for Constitutional change on October 16. The changes, which have yet to be signed into law by the king, will allow government to control freedom of speech. The 16 members who voted in favour of the controversial Bill were: Prince 'Ulukalala Lavaka Ata, James Cecil Cocker, William Clive Edwards, Dr Masasso T. Paunga, Dr Viliami Ta'u Tangi, Fielakepa, Siosiua Tupou 'Utoikamanu, 'Aisea Havea Taumoepeau, Paula Sunia Bloomfield, Tuita, Malupo, 'Akau'ola, Fohe, Nuku, Havea Tu'iha'angana, and Tu'i'afitu.
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Friday 24 October 2003
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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Thursday 2 October 2003
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The controversy over the proposal by government to amend Clause 7 of the Tongan Constitution, giving government the right to make laws to control Freedom of Speech and the media, is dividing the country. Government is not going to win respect by changing the laws, simply because it has been losing its court cases against its critics. We are at the cross roads, in an unfamiliar Twilight Zone. Editor's Comment, by Pesi Fonua (From our Archives 2003).
Wednesday 3 September 2003
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Although public reaction is heating up to a Tonga government move to control Freedom of Speech by changing Clause 7 of the island kingdom's 127 year old Constitution, few people yet realise the enormous and serious implications of what that change might mean. Objections so far have been based on the glaring illegality of the change, but there is more to it than that. By Pesi Fonua.
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Friday 1 August 2003
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Development should be regarded as a synthesis of many good things that can be found in all cultures not just in western culture, believes Tonga's 'Okusitino Mahina. by Linny Folau.
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Tuesday 30 January 2001
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Nuku‘alofa, Tonga
While there were apparently equal job opportunities for women in Tonga, women still remained under-represented at the highest levels of government.
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Saturday 26 September 1998
Nuku‘alofa, Tonga
With regards, to our declining economy, and the proposals that have been put forward for a recovery package, it appears that it will take a major crisis to turn these proposals into actions, because they are all tied up in a phenomena known in Tonga as, “fu‘u lahi ‘a e politiki”, or “too much politicking”. By Pesi Fonua. From Magazine Tonga Magazine Vol. 13, no. 3, October 1998.
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