Editor,

Kele'a publisher/editor Pohiva is obviously blindsiding everyone to believe he has the right to withhold evidence from Police of a conspiracy to commit murder (Nuku'alofa insecure following Coronation [2] 15 September, 2008).

Thank you for reporting this egregious abuse of our right to free speech as journalists. As responsible professionals, we have a solemn duty to provide accurate information to the public that has entrusted us with that privilege.

Freedom of speech in a democracy, according to American Judge Oliver W. Holmes in the 1919 decision (Schenck v. United States), does not give anyone the "right to shout Fire! in a crowded theater." It is a crime to do so because a stampede will certainly harm or eventually kill innocent people. Therefore, we do not have the right as journalists to alarm the public of a conspiracy to murder an innocent public official without revealing our " . . . reliable information" sources to Police.

Ostensibly, they claim their privileged right to freedom of the press, but I see a conspiracy to see a crime committed. May I remind them that they have a higher duty to the public to prevent crimes?

Refusing to identify the would-be assassin that has, "a plan to assassinate the Prime Minister of Tonga," either makes Mr. Pohiva a party to the conspiracy to commit a crime; or otherwise, it is a hoax contrived to sell newspapers. The Prime Minister is taking the threat seriously. And who is paying for his safety and security? The taxpayers of course; thanks to Mr. Pohiva and his publication.

Pohiva Playing With Fire Again!

Clearly, Mr. Pohiva has created an irresponsible public crisis: the Prime Minister has been served notice that an assassin is out to kill him; he is chided for using public funds to protect himself; and when it happens, Mr. Pohiva would only say, "I told you so." He did just that after the burning of Nuku'alofa, on 16/11.

Tonga has come-of-age in religion, education, business, and economics. But opposing forces in crimes, and lawlessness have also flourished. Tonga can no longer excuse lawlessness as Mr. Pohiva calls it: "are normal occurrences." Yes, the very people he represents in the Legislative Assembly are the victims of those normal occurrences.

Reports of increasing crimes and lawlessness in your article showed how Tonga must step up fighting crimes in the 21st Century. The continued excusing of law-breaking relatives, extended family members, and popular politicians is a form of corruption. I read with sadness that People's Representatives are proud to use threats of a 16/11 repeat to intimidate Government officials, and the free people of Tonga. These are tactics used by dictators, not a democratic movement in which we are counting on to modernize our Kingdom.

Sione A. Mokofisi

Salt Lake City, Utah

samokofisi [at] yahoo [dot] com