Results for Press Freedom

On World Press Freedom Day May 3, Tonga's Attorney General Neil Adsett told journalists in Nuku'alofa that while Tonga's Constitution guarantees Freedom of Speech and Press Freedom, there remains in the Constitution two other conflicting sub-clauses, inserted by an amendment in 2003, which are partly void and should be changed so that it is not misleading.

In an address to mark the World Press Freedom Day, May 3 the Minister of Justice Hon Samiu Vaipulu assured local journalists that Clause 7 of the Constitution, which guaranteed Freedom of Speech and Media Freedom, would not be touched while government is drafting legislation to implement political reform and to hold a general election on November 25.

"From now on, we will organise activities every 12 March to condemn cyber-censorship throughout the world," Reporters Without Borders said. "A response of this kind is needed to the growing tendency to crack down on bloggers and to close websites.

Day Four of the Judicial Review challenging the Amendment of Clause 7 of the Constitution last year, concluded the submissions made by the legal counsel Dr Rodney Harrison for the 173 plaintiffs, and Paul Radich for the defendant, the Kingdom of Tonga.

Tonga copied Singapore's suppressive media laws when it drafted its new media legislation that came into force this year, Tongan journalists marking World Press Freedom Day in Tonga on May 3 were told.

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.

The long anticipated cat-and-mouse game between the Auckland-based weekly newspaper, Taimi 'o Tonga, and the Tongan government got off to a slow start on February 27, after weeks of uncertainty over whether a confrontation was ever going to take place. "Import bans on a Tongan language newspaper fail to stick". From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 18, no. 2, August 2003.