Results for defamation

William Clive Edwards won an appeal to dismiss a Magistrate's ruling over an unsuccessful 2012 defamation action he brought against the Kele'a and its publishers. The Lord Chief Justice on June 6 in granting Edwards's appeal said the Kele'a allegations were false and it was no excuse for 'Akilisi Pohiva to write one thing while saying that he meant to refer to something else.

A Supreme Court judge dismissed an appeal filed by a letter writer, Kele’a newspaper and two others in a defamation case that awarded judgment and costs against them back in 2013.

The Kele’a newspaper can have its appeal heard at the Supreme Court against damages and costs awarded to William Clive Edwards in a defamation case but they must first pay $14,500 in damages, plus costs and interest before proceeding.

A letter writer to the Kele'a and the newspaper, along with its publisher and editor, were ordered to pay a total of $249,442 in damages and costs in a civil defamation case that was brought by the Tongan Prime Minister, Lord Tu'ivakano and six Cabinet Ministers, including the Minister of Justice Hon. Clive Edwards.

The Oceania Broadcasting Television Network was fined Tongan $750, and its two presenters, Sangstar Saulala and Semisi Kailahi were also fined T$500 each for defaming the former Minister of Justice, Tevita Tupou.