The Legislative Assembly of Tonga will host a workshop next week on "Parliament and the Media", aiming to generate awareness, cooperation and mutual respect between parliamentarians and journalists.

Sione Tekiteki, the Legal Adviser and Deputy Clerk of the House said today, the workshop from on September 29 to October 1 is a Commonwealth initiative that has been held worldwide but this is the first time in Tonga.

He said the workshop is vital in the sense that it will provide a platform for members of parliament and media to come together and discuss issues concerning them.

Funded by the Commonwealth Parliament Association (CPA) and supported by the United Nations Development Fund and NZAID, the three-day discussions will feature overseas and local presenters.

Topics include the media coverage of the assembly; the CPA's Recommendations for an Informed Democracy; the Role of the Media as the Fourth Estate; general issues on Parliament and the Media; and Defining Public Interest.

Freedom of Information

The issue of freedom of information will be discussed with presentations made on initiatives held in the Pacific, and for small countries and the Pacific context, its principles, legislations and implementation.

Good Governance, Democracy, Development and Parliamentary Openness will be included.

Overseas presenters will include members of parliament from New Zealand and Australia; Matai Akauola the Executive Director of the Pacific Islands News Agency PINA; Charmaine Rodrigues of UNDP Pacific Centre; Cook Island Ombudsman Janet Maki; Dr Henry Ivarature of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and local media representatives.

The workshop will be held at the Janfull International Dateline Hotel.

The House will be closed to allow members time to attend the workshop.