Media bills provoke outrage and concern

The move by the Tongan government to change the Freedom of Speech clause in the Tongan Constitution, and to introduce new laws to regulate the news media in Tonga, is seen by critics as an attempt to gag the press. Several controversial and hastily-prepared bills that were introduced to the Tongan legislature when its 2003 session opened in June, have provoked international outrage and local concern. Matangi Tonga, Vol. 18, No. 2. By Pesi Fonua