Govt will not touch press freedom, in Constitutional change, says Justice Minister [1]
Wednesday, May 5, 2010 - 10:30. Updated on Saturday, April 26, 2014 - 18:28.
In an address to mark the World Press Freedom Day, May 3 the Minister of Justice Hon Samiu Vaipulu assured local journalists that Clause 7 of the Constitution, which guaranteed Freedom of Speech and Media Freedom, would not be touched while government is drafting legislation to implement political reform and to hold a general election on November 25.
He said the reform legislations that parliament had passed so far, included and amendments to the Constitution, the Electoral Act, the Legislative Assembly Act and the Constituency Boundaries Act.
The minister said that Government was committed for the election of a more democratic government on November 25, "We are now working on the last part of the amendments that we will be doing to our constitution and legislation."
He also noted Tonga was keeping pace with time and in a free and democratic society the press and other forms of media are essential tools of governance.
"They investigate, research into and publish all that is good or bad in society; they alert and educate citizens."
He noted that journalists had to report on how respective governments were behaving and acting in the running and administration of public affairs.
"In this regard, the independence and freedom of the press and other media together with ethics, and courage of the proprietors, directors, journalists and reporters who work for and in them are of crucial importance," said the Minister.
"The press must advance communication between the governed and those who govern. The press must act as the watchdog of the government, they must also act as bloodhounds against corruption, abuse of power and misgovernance," he said.
After the minister's speech questions were asked regarding the current controversial issue of the decision by the Attorney General Mr John Cauchi to resign on the grounds that Cabinet was not complying with acceptable Constitutional practice by appointing a judge without the recommendation of the Attorney General of the Judicial Services Commission.
The Minister's answer was that Mr Cauchi "should go and read the Constitution."
Regarding the controversial move to dismantle the Judicial Services Commission and its replacement by a Lord Chancellor the minister said "it will not be political", and that it was a move to follow "the British system".
Public's right to know
At the beginning of the function, Tonga Media Council President Pesi Fonua and journalists present observed a minute of silence to remember and honour journalists who were killed working for the right of the public to know.
The world's biggest-ever massacre of journalists happen last year when men in uniform shot dead at point-blank range 30 reporters at Mindanao, Philippines on November 23.
A total of 77 journalists were killed last year, and these journalists were not covering stories in war zones, but were covering stories in their local communities. So far this year, 2010, nine journalists have been killed, 168 have been locked up in prison and 120 netizens have also been imprisoned.