3 March 2004

IFEX MEMBERS ALARMED AT MEDIA RESTRICTIONS


The Pacific Islands News Association (PINA), has joined three other IFEX members in protesting significant new restrictions on press freedom in the Kingdom of Tonga. Also questioning the new laws is a member of the Tongan royal family.

PINA reports that since December 2003, all publications in Tonga must be licensed by the government, and foreigners may not own more than a 20 per cent stake in media companies in the country. Violations are punishable by either a fine of approximately US$5200, imprisonment of up to a year, or both.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reports further that since 31 January 2004, the government has approved only a few government or church-owned publications. All independent publications in Tonga have been denied licenses. According to sources at the "Taimi 'o Tonga" (Times of Tonga) newspaper, officials rejected its application because "the past performance of the proposed editor has been evaluated and found to be incompetent." A judicial review of the ban is pending.

CPJ says that in February 2003, Tongan officials banned the paper after it had reported on allegations of corruption within the government and the royal family. After the Supreme Court overturned the ban, calling it unconstitutional, the government passed new laws tightening official control over the media.

Meanwhile, Reporters sans frontières (Reporters Without Borders, RSF) condemned the 18 February 2004 arrest of Alani Taione, who handed out copies of the banned "Taimi 'o Tonga" at Tongatapu airport earlier that day. RSF called on Prime Minister Prince 'Ulukalala Lavaka Ata to release Taione and drop the charges.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has also protested delays over the distribution of newspapers in Tonga. Meanwhile, PINA notes that Prince Tuipelehake, a senior parliamentarian and the King of Tonga's nephew, has urged his uncle to overturn the laws and restore freedom of speech.

For more information, contact PINA at pina@connect.com.fj

Visit these links:

-CPJ: www.cpj.org
-IFJ: www.ifj.org
-RSF: www.rsf.org


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Also from the Communiqué, 3 March 2004

UNITED STATES: PEN JOINS LIBRARIANS, BOOKSELLERS IN CAMPAIGN AGAINST PATRIOT ACT 3 March 2004 CHINA: GOVERNMENT STEPS UP RESTRICTIONS ON INTERNET EXPRESSION 3 March 2004 EGYPT: MUBARAK PROMISES TO REFORM DEFAMATION LAWS 3 March 2004 PALESTINE: JOURNALIST AND ARAFAT ADVISOR ASSASSINATED 3 March 2004 SOUTH AFRICA: ANTI-TERRORISM BILL SHELVED 3 March 2004 INTERNATIONAL: SIGN A LETTER PROTESTING EDITOR'S INTERROGATION, DEATH THREATS 3 March 2004 CHILE: IAPA SENDS DELEGATION TO CHILE 3 March 2004 INTERNATIONAL: ARAB CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS NEED FOR REGIONAL PRESS FREEDOM NETWORK 3 March 2004 COLOMBIA: UN Expert Urges More Protection for Colombian Journalists 3 March 2004 INTERNATIONAL / GENDER: UNESCO Launches "Women Make the News" Campaign 3 March 2004 INTERNATIONAL: IFJ AWARDED ITALIAN PRESS FREEDOM PRIZE 3 March 2004 INTERNATIONAL: 2004 KURT SCHORK AWARDS 3 March 2004

Tonga

Stronger complaints process will keep media out of court, says PFF 3 February 2011 Government and media must support complaints process, says PFF after shutdown of radio station 16 December 2010 Former broadcaster's victory at the polls offers new momentum to media freedom in Pacific, says PFF 2 December 2010 Media freedom threatened as elections loom 16 July 2010 PINA voices concern over restrictions in national broadcaster's political programming in lead up to elections 25 April 2008 See all alerts: Tonga


Asia and Pacific

INDIA: Charges against video journalist must be dropped 25 May 2012 CAMBODIA: Lake activists sentenced, monk detained after taking part in protest 25 May 2012 PHILIPPINES: Radio commentator threatened on Facebook 25 May 2012 PAKISTAN: Moves to squelch media, again 25 May 2012 CHINA: Anti-foreign attitudes bode ill for China correspondents 24 May 2012


 
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