TONGA: Tonga approves license for critical newspaper

The Tongan government has granted a newspaper license to Keleša, the publication of the pro-democracy movement

Pacific Media Watch
Monday, March 29, 2004

WELLINGTON (RNZI/PIR/Pacific Media Watch): The Tongan government has granted a newspaper license to Keleša, the publication of the pro-democracy movement.

The approval came after a new application was submitted with a former general manager of Radio and TV Tonga, Tavake Fusimalohi, as its editor.

The government says Fusimalohišs record satisfies the requirements of the new Media Operators Act.

An earlier application with Pošoi Pohiva as the proposed editor was turned down.

The government has also approved a license for a magazine called Tongan Woman, which is published by the Lali Company.

Lali is owned by the wife of Kalafi Moala, whose paper Taimi 'o Tonga is still banned.

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Date Posted: 3/29/2004