Editor,

Parliament's rush to regulate internet contents (Parliament passes Bills...Oct. 9, 2015) infringes on our Constitutional press freedom, and against censorship. Communications minister Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni should have known this constitutional limitation before promoting such a law in Parliament.

The Internet is another medium of communication such as the written word on newspaper, the spoken word on radio, and images/audio on TV. The Internet publishes literary properties professionally and for casual communication in the social networks.

Journalism has evolved from the controlled formats of the print and electronic media to empower citizens to become more involved in publishing their right of "free speech." Newspapers, radio, and TV have traditionally limited people's access to free "expressing" of their views, as well as presenting their intellectual properties to the public.

Invasion of Privacy or Free Speech Censorship?

The proposed law violates our constitutional "free speech" rights; rather than an invasion of privacy, which is not guaranteed under the constitution. But nobody is talking about the relationship of the Internet and free speech protected under the constitution.

Claiming "protection of children" from Internet misuse should not breach our free-speech rights. We should not fear the peeping-Tom eyes and ears of Government agents eavesdropping on citizens' legal rights to read, write, and publish their views.

Inappropriate and immoral electronics publications are already covered in existing laws. Children are protected by "parental control" features on desktop computers, laptop computers, tablet computers, and smartphones. Parents must exercise their parental rights to control and protect their children upon purchasing Internet receiving computer devices.

I urge the Tongan media community to raise their voices against this unconstitutional law, and thus suppress our free speech rights. Lawmakers are hiding behind the vulnerability of our children to propose laws, which will take away our free speech rights under the constitution.

Sione A. Mokofisi
Director - English-Journalism & Languages
Moana University, Havelu, Tongatapu