The Oceania Broadcasting Television Network was fined Tongan $750, and its two presenters, Sangstar Saulala and Semisi Kailahi were also fined T$500 each for defaming the former Minister of Justice, Tevita Tupou.

Mr Justice Ford passed the sentence on September 25 after the accused were found guilty of criminal defamation by a jury of four men and three women at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court on September 19.

A Criminal Defamation charge was brought against the accused following a television talk show, called Mata Lafo Laukai. The show was hosted by Sangstar and Semisi on the evening of 21 February, 2001, when they discussed how the key to the former Minister of Justice's offices was mistakenly taken by 'Akilisi Pohiva for three days. 'Akilisi is the Tongatapu no. 1 People's Representative to the Tongan parliament and the owner of the newsletter Kele'a. Sangstar and Semisi in the talk show alluded that the missing key was a conspiracy to enable 'Akilisi to have access to classified government document at the Minister's office. Both Tevita Tupou and 'Akilisi Pohiva denied the allegations.