It is with great sadness that the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) learnt of the passing away of the Editor of the Kele'a newspaper in Tonga, Tavake Fusimalohi.

This is a great loss to the Pacific media.

'Tavake' as he is affectionately known throughout the Pacific region and beyond was a great defender of the freedom of media both in the region and in his own home country of Tonga.

In October, he was presented with the Media Association of Solomon Islands (MASI) Award for his contribution to media freedom in the Pacific region. The award was announced at the PINA Convention in Honiara in May this year.

Tavake will be remembered in the regional media family as one of the founding fathers of the both the Pacific Islands Broadcasting Association (PIBA) and the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) before they formally merged in 2004.

He, along with the late Sir Len Usher of Fiji, established PINA to promote media freedom amongst members and set up a training institution for media practitioners in the region.

We mourn his loss and our prayers and condolences go to his family and to the Kele...’a newspaper for their great loss.

He will always be remembered for his great contribution to the advancement of media in the Pacific, and especially for his role in promoting freedom of the press.

In recognition for his commitment, PINA would like to name in his honour, the PINA Media Freedom Award as the Tavake Fusimalohi Media Freedom Award. The award is presented biennially to coincide with the PINA Convention.

On Behalf of the Board

Joseph Ealedona

President

PINA, 04/12/07.