Media sources in Tonga have described Prime Minister ‘Akiliisa Pōhiva’s relationship with the national broadcaster as persecution.
They claimed he regarded any media which questioned him as “the enemy.”
They told Kaniva News they feared that all other media in the kingdom considered critical of the Prime Minister of the government would be questioned.
“It is an attempt to normalise this thinking in Tonga, so that the only true media is controlled media,” the sources said.
“Reaction against the PM is gathering locally, regionally, and internationally.
“He has chosen to fight the government’s own media, but in doing so, he is making war on press freedom in Tonga.
“All the hallmarks of dictatorship are becoming apparent with the PM.”
As Kaniva News reported earlier this month, the renewal of the Tonga Broadcasting Commission CEO Nanise Fifita’s contract has upset Hon. Pōhiva so much he is considering sacking the chair of the board Tapu Panuve.
Pōhiva said the board had not shown it cared enough to do something in response to his claims that Radio and Television Tonga’s reports on him and his government were malicious, unprofessional and unethical.
Kaniva News has learned that the Prime Minister ordered the Minister of Public Enterprise, Paasi Tei to tell TBC chairman Tapu Panuve and the board to replace Fifita.
Reliable sources said the board then appointed a subcommittee which reported that her contract included a clause that renewed her contract automatically unless she committed an infringement that warranted her replacement.
The subcommittee recommended that the TBC board not to do anything to replace Fifita, as the Government would be sued. They did this after seeking legal counsel from the Government lawyers.
Kaniva News understands that when the Prime Minister found out about this, he was very angry and started threatening to sack Panuve.
The lawyers advised against removing Nanise or sacking Tapu and Aloma because of the legal problems it would cause.
Our source said he also took exception to board member Aloma Johansson who was chair of the TBC board which made a sizeable profit.
The former CEO of the TBC, Ritzvi Jurangpathy, is suing Kele’a newspaper, which is regarded as representing the Prime Minister’s views.
It is understood that the Prime Minister is relying on support from Ngalu Fusimalohi and Saia Fonua.
The main points
- Media sources in Tonga have described Prime Minister ‘Akiliisa Pōhiva’s relationship with the national broadcaster as persecution.
- They told Kaniva News they feared that all other media in the kingdom considered critical of the Prime Minister of the government would be questioned.
- As we reported earlier this month, the renewal of the Tonga Broadcasting Commission CEO Nanise Fifita’s contract has upset Hon. Pōhiva so much he is considering sacking the chair of the board Tapu Panuve.
- We have been informed that government lawyers advised against taking any action against Fifita.
For more information
Pohiva declares war on TBC, declares it an obstacle and constraint on gov’t
