TONGA: Media challenge opens in Tonga court

A judicial review challenging the amendment to Clause 7 of the Tongan Constitution last year started in the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa, Tonga, today

Pacific Media Watch
Tuesday, August 31, 2004

AUCKLAND (Taimi 'o Tonga/Pacific Media Watch): A judicial review challenging the amendment to Clause 7 of the Tongan Constitution last year started in the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa, Tonga, today.

Clause 7 established new restrictions on media publications in the kingdom, drawing widespread protest amid claims that it curtailed freedom of speech.

A total of 173 plaintiffs, including individual citizens, businesses, MPs and a news organization, filed for a judicial review, claiming that the amendment of Clause 7 and the introduction of restrictive media laws by government was unconstitutional.

The hearing was presided over by Justice McElrea. The counsel for the plaintiffs was human rights lawyer Dr Rodney Harrison, from New Zealand, and representing the Crown were Paul Radich and ŒAminiasi Kefu.

The first witnesses called by the plaintiff¹s counsel were Pesi Fonua, chairman of the Media Council Inc. of Tonga and publisher of Matangi Tonga, and Mateni Tapueluelu, editor of the Taimi 'o Tonga newspaper.

The hearing is scheduled for five days.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

PACIFIC MEDIA WATCH is an independent, non-profit, non-government organisation comprising journalists, lawyers, editors and other media workers, dedicated to examining issues of ethics, accountability, censorship, media freedom and media ownership in the Pacific region. Launched in October 1996, it has links with the Journalism Program at the University of the South Pacific, Bushfire Media, the Australian Centre for Independent Journalism, and Pactok Communications, in Sydney and Port Moresby. (c)1996-2001 Copyright - All rights reserved.

Items are provided solely for review purposes as a non-profit educational service. Copyright remains the property of the original producers as indicated. Recipients should seek permission from the copyright owner for any publishing. Copyright owners not wishing their materials to be posted by PMW please contact us. The views expressed in material listed by PMW are not necessarily the views of PMW or its members. 

Recipients should rely on their own inquiries before making decisions based on material listed in PMW. Please copy appeals to PMW and acknowledge source.

For further information, inquiries about joining the Pacific Media Watch listserve, articles for publication, and giving feedback contact Pacific Media Watch at: E-mail: delaro@clear.net.nz

Date Posted: 8/31/2004