With Tonga's 2008 triennial Parliamentary Election only 11 weeks away Tonga's Broadcasting Corporation manager says that political programs by candidates will be allowed to air on the government controlled national television Tonga, but they will be subject to some censorship.

The General Election is set for April 23-24 this year.

'Elenoa 'Amanaki asserted that there was never a policy banning the broadcasting of political programs but was an issue with the professionalism and balance of TBC...’s political reporting.

She said political programs and reporting were, and are still, being broadcasted but they must follow certain regulations. For example, she said that political reports must be fair and balanced.

"The problem arose when we received many complaints from the public last year about how unprofessional and unbalanced our political reports were - but there was never a ban," she said.

In June last year it was announced that all political reporting by Radio and Television was put on hold. The Prime Minister, who was said to have issued the stoppage, told parliament later that month that the matter was an in-house affair of TBC.

'Elenoa said candidates are now free to broadcast programs for the upcoming election but under TBC regulations, that is, someone from TBC must host it and panels must stick to their predetermined topics.

Censorship

Political programs will be censored to prevent any further defamation suits against TBC and panels will be informed if their programs are censored.

"We will censor programs when they make personal attacks and criticisms of other persons or political groups or discuss matters not related to their agenda," she added.

Each program is given a limited time slot of up to 30 minutes, and it can be played and replayed on TV as long as the clients pay.

Campaigns

Political groups like the Langafonua Tu'uloa Party began last week campaigning on television.

'Elenoa expected more candidates to step in and start recording their programs for the upcoming election.

Candidates

The registration of candidates for the People's Representatives seats remain confirmed for February 27.

Pita Vuki the Government Electoral Officer said the number of candidates running in the election will be made known this month when names are published in the electoral roll.

The nobles' election will be held on April 23 followed by the election for the People's Representatives seats on April 24.