PINA disturbed by government targeting of media in Tonga Featured
Pacific Islands News Association president Moses Stevens Photo: Godwin Ligo / Vanuatu Daily Post
28 April, 2016. The Pacific Islands News Association says it is disturbed by what it sees as government harassment and targeting of a media manager in Tonga.
Viola Ulakai said the Prime Minister 'Akilisi Pohiva recommended her suspension to his Minister of Public Enterprises which led to a letter to the Tonga Broadcasting Commission.
The prime minister previously said Mrs Ulakai misrepresented herself when making a request for a press conference and suggested she was acting as a mouthpiece for political opponents.
Mr Pohiva led the Pro-Democracy movement in Tonga for decades before becoming the first commoner elected as prime minister but has constantly been criticised by the local press for his lack of media engagement.
The PINA president Moses Stevens said he was surprised the way the government had acted, given Mr Pohiva's past.
"We just hope they come up with the understanding of what they have fought for, which is a democracy," said Mr Stevens.
"Within democracy we have freedom of speech, and media freedom and freedom of expression. We (are) just encouraging our media colleagues in Tonga to engage with their government and find a way forward."
Earlier, Viola Ulakai said she was only doing her job and as a member of the council, she was able to make such a request.
PINA
5 comments
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PM 'AKILISI PÕHIVA LIVING THE MIRAGE (optical illusion) OF HIS OWN IMAGINATION: He pictures a selfie that he is the "God of Democracy," and can change the rules of law according to his will.
1) Compared to Viola Ulakai, PM the journalist has been guilty of defamation, and Viola Ulakai has a clean record.
2) Viola Ulakai reports the news as her "subjects" tell it.
3) I wished Viola Ulakai was more subjective like Mr. 'Akilisi Pohiva the journalist.
4) But then, Viola Ulakai is a true journalist in the literal sense. -
Koia, kuo kamata ke fk'ata mai mei muli e sipinga fktikitato ae PM mo hono foha ihe ena oho kui holo fkfoituitui hono tuli moe fkehaua oe kakai ke oaua tena toe taliui mo talifehu'i kihe ena ngaahi moveuveu ihe fonua. Loi e fai e mea kehe ihe kei opposiion, hu ki loto pea fai e mea kehe ia. Kuo lahi e fihi tuu koe loi.
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I think the old ages caught with the PM.He is so stubborn n bull headed.The man was not like that.He fought for moore power for the people n then he made a 180degree turn.
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'E si'i hoko pe 'etau Palemia ko e kata'anga 'o e ngaahi fonua iiki ki he lalahi, temokalati mo e ta'e temokalati. Maalie e Pule'anga 'o e Kakai, Palemia 'o e Kakai, Kapineti 'a e Kakai, ko e me'a ena ne mou holi kiai ke mou 'ene pe 'emoutolu e kete 'o e ngaahi fonua kotoa pe 'i mamani fulipe pea e tohi leva he hisitolia ko e KAPINETI KATUNI PULE'ANGA KATUNI O TONGA .... 'uha fa'o hifo
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Koe me'a e 'e iku ki ai e 'afungi moe ta'emaa'usia 'ae palemia mo 'ene kau fale'i, koe fakama moe ngalivale e fonua, ka koe me'a tepuu koe monuka e ngaahi pou tuliki 'oe temokalati he ngaue pe 'ae kau tu'uaki fefeka 'oe TEMO ..... 'ae paati PTOA. Tonu ke liliu a honau hingoa koe PTTFAP (Paati Ta'eTemokalati Fakatikitato 'a 'Akilisi Pohiva), pea 'oatu a Luseani Luani ke tokoni taki.