Taimi Media Network to manage Tonga Chronicle [1]
Tuesday, March 17, 2009 - 18:13. Updated on Friday, September 12, 2014 - 15:13.
The Taimi Media Network Ltd. will take over the running of the 44-year old government-owned weekly newspaper, the Tonga Chronicle on Friday March 19.
The Acting Manager of the Chronicle Feleti Tu'ihalamaka confirmed this afternoon that a contract was signed last Friday, and the official handover to Kalafi Moala, the publisher of the newspaper the Taimi 'o Tonga will take place this Friday.
At the same time the seven staff members of the Chronicle, including five reporters, will be assigned to different government ministries. The remaining two reporters will remain with the newspaper until June.
Feleti said the Taimi staff would immediately move into the Chronicle office and use its equipment and vehicles.
It is understood that the under its new management the newspaper will remain bilingual, with both Tongan and English content, but other details of the deal have not been made public.
Gov't ownership
However, government will continue to be the owner of the newspaper and its assets, while at the same time the Taimi Media will finance its operation.
The duration of the deal and whether or not government is making any financial contribution to this privatisation project is not known.
The Taimi 'o Tonga newspaper staff will move from their existing office at Vaha'akolo Road to the Chronicle office after the handover.